ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

What are the most important qualities required in a sweeper? Is it particularly crucial that the machine should be efficient, ergonomic, safe and versatile, for instance? And what do today’s customers demand from their machines? Ann Laffeaty poses these questions.

Sweepers have one simple job to do: remove the debris from the floor. But the types of debris that need picking up will vary considerably depending on the environment. And the fact that the floors themselves could be made of anything from wood or smooth concrete to carpet or rough tarmac only further complicates the issue.

So what qualities does a sweeper need to offer to enable it to work effectively in the environment for which it is intended?

Sweepers need to be able to provide a combination of efficiency, versatility and reliability according to Kärcher’s sweepers product manager Hannes Geyer. “An ideal machine must deliver exceptional cleaning performance with minimal passes,” he said. “It should also be adaptable for use on a wide range of surfaces and dirt types and operate with a high degree of uptime. And this combination of qualities will directly translate to lower operating costs and a higher return on investment for customers.”

Efficiency is about more than just speed, he says. “It encompasses high area performance, low maintenance requirements and a simple operation that allows the user to complete the job both quickly and effectively,” he said. “For example, most of our ride-on sweepers use the ‘overthrow principle’ which allows for a high container fill level, meaning fewer stops are required to empty the hopper.”

Versatility is key to a machine’s value, he adds. “A sweeper must be able to handle a variety of cleaning tasks, from fine dust on smooth warehouse floors to coarse debris such as leaves and gravel on outdoor asphalt,” he said. Kärcher’s sweepers are said to offer adjustable brushes, suction power and different roller brush types to ensure that they can be used across multiple applications, both indoors and outdoors.

Safe and comfortable

Operator safety and ergonomics are also paramount, adds Geyer. “A safe and comfortable operator will be a more productive and efficient one,” he explains. “At Kärcher we design our machines with the user at the forefront which means features such as ergonomic control panels, adjustable seats, adjustable steering columns and low-vibration chassis systems are standard on our ride-on models.”

He adds that by reducing physical strain, preventing fatigue and ensuring that the operator has a clear view of the working area the user’s well-being will be improved and the risk of accidents and damage will be minimised.

Sustainability is a non-negotiable principle for Kärcher, he says. “A sustainable operation matters deeply to us and our goal is to create products that reduce resource consumption and minimise environmental impact throughout their entire lifecycle, from production to operation,” said Geyer. Kärcher’s sweepers are said to incorporate long-lasting, durable components and energy-efficient drive types such as Li-ion batteries. Additionally, a series of the company’s sweeper models are manufactured using recycled materials.

Today’s customers want a complete solution and not just a machine, says Geyer. “They are looking for high productivity, reliability and a low total cost of ownership,” he said. “This has evolved significantly from the time when customers’ primary concern was simply getting a surface clean. They now want to ensure that their investment will stand the test of time, is easy to maintain and is supported by a strong service network.”

Customers also demand flexibility and expect a single machine to be capable of tackling different environments and cleaning challenges, he adds. “The focus has shifted from a preoccupation with the initial purchase price to concerns about the long-term value that the machine can provide.”
Kärcher offers a range of machines including push sweepers for use in smaller areas, and walk-behind vacuum sweepers that feature a traction drive to reduce operator effort.

Also on offer are ride-on vacuum sweepers and industrial sweepers built for large-area performance. The ride-on models incorporate ergonomic operator cabins with adjustable seats and controls for maximum comfort and safety for long shifts.

The most important feature of a sweeper is reliability, says Hako’s application technology trainer and consultant Klaus Serfezi. “This should be combined with consistently excellent cleaning results, even under demanding conditions,” he said. “This is the only way that customers can ensure their floor surfaces are kept clean and ready for use at all times.”

Efficiency and versatility are also essential today, he said. “Customers expect to be able to sweep different areas quickly, thoroughly and above all, economically with one machine,” said Serfezi. “It is also crucial that the machine is ergonomic and safe to use for the operator.”

Reliability key

Ergonomic controls and a well-thought-out design will promote occupational safety, he said. “These features will also increase comfort, reduce fatigue and enable longer, more productive use, which is important because the vacuum sweeper may be the operator’s workplace for an entire shift,” he added.

Sustainability is another key consideration. “This may be achieved through low emission drives, efficient dust-binding capabilities plus the economical use of energy and resources,” added Serfezi.
The key priorities of today’s customer are cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness and sustainability combined with a high cleaning performance, he said. “In the past, the focus tended to be more on pure area output, but today it is the overall package across the entire life cycle of the machine that counts.”

Single pass

Hako offers a range of sweepers including compact walk-behind machines and powerful ride-on models. These are said to offer a robust design, a high area output and a safe and ergonomic operation along with efficient filter-cleaning systems.

All sweepers need to offer three important qualities, says Starmix product manager for sweepers Andreas Schneider. “They should produce good sweeping results with small and large debris and serve as a replacement for brooms,” he said. “They must also offer good handling capabilities and have a low device weight. And they should be durable and maintenance-free.”

The operator should be able to sweep up all debris in a single pass, he adds. “A good sweeper should run smoothly and be easily manoeuvrable in corners,” he said. “And it is important that the machine is ergonomic and safe to use for the operator so that users will remain healthy in the long term, even when working frequently.”

Starmix sweepers are described as being lightweight and easy to push while offering a large 40-litre waste capacity which means fewer work interruptions for emptying are required.

Manual sweepers are undergoing an evolution and customer needs are changing, according to Schneider. “We have identified an increasing requirement for battery-powered models for easier operation and better sweeping results,” he said. “Users are increasingly busy people so they want to make less use of brooms and focus more closely on cost-effectiveness. And they are increasingly seeking features such as a durable construction, ease of repair and a high level of availability of spare parts.”

Sustainable

Sustainability is important to some customers, he adds. “Sweepers contribute to a sustainable world because they enable debris such as dirt, waste and plastic products to be picked up during outdoor sweeping operations,” he said. “This dirt would otherwise have been carried further into the environment both by people and by the wind where it would have potentially polluted green spaces, waterways and wildlife.”

He also points out that manual sweepers create no emissions nor noise pollution from combustion engines.

“Even our battery-powered sweepers can be switched off and still operated manually for sweeping,” said Schneider. The company’s products include the lithium-ion battery-powered Starmix DuroSweep 77 Pro 18V which features adjustable speed and an LED light as well as dust-protected motors and drive units for greater durability.

Future trends

So, how do commentators think the market will evolve in future? Schneider foresees no radical changes ahead. “The sweeping result should continue to be convincing which means that smart features such as LED lights for path illumination are helpful additions,” he said. “Robotics are on everyone’s radar and technical advances are significant, particularly in the vacuuming sector. However, people will continue to choose manual sweepers because they are cheaper and more sustainable since they require less maintenance.”

Hako’s Klaus Serfezi says there is growing demand for sustainable, resource-saving concepts that reduce operating costs and meet environmental requirements. “However, the future belongs to ‘smart’ machines that combine cleaning with digitally-networked solutions,” he said.

Kärcher’s Hannes Geyer agrees the next big thing will be the integration of smart technologies along with a continued push for sustainability. “We will see sweepers become more connected and offering features such as remote monitoring, predictive maintenance alerts and fleet management systems,” he said.

“Connected cleaning will provide customers with real-time data to optimise their operations, improve efficiency and schedule maintenance proactively. At the same time, demand for more sustainable solutions will only increase which will lead to further advancements in battery technology for longer runtimes and faster charging, as well as the use of alternative fuels and more eco-friendly materials in machine construction.

“Autonomous sweepers for outdoor applications will also play a role. So the future of sweeping is intelligent, efficient, and environmentally responsible.”