Cleaning a road sweeper: hopper, screens, water tank and fan

Bucher has built in features to help with exactly this: on the C202, screens that fold down and a recirculation tank with a large opening, and on several models EasyClean, which Bucher says flushes the machine clean in a couple of minutes.

Below, we go through what Bucher says about each part, model by model, and what makes it safer to work near a raised hopper.

The hopper

The hopper is built to withstand both corrosion and wear. The C202 and the CityCat V20 series have a stainless steel hopper, the VR17e has an aluminium hopper, and the VR50 is supplied in different grades of stainless steel depending on how corrosion-resistant it needs to be.

On the C202, the hopper also has stainless steel wedge-wire screens, which according to Bucher stop dirt from sticking in the first place.

Screens and filter screens

The screens in the hopper are there to stop leaves and dirt from clogging, and Bucher describes them as easy to clean on the C202, the V20 series and the VR17e. This is what Bucher says about the screens and filter screens on each model:

• C202 — the large screens fold down with a simple pin
• CityCat V20, V20e and VR17e — a large, easy-to-clean filter screen that keeps the air speed up even in the leaf season
• MaxPowa V120 — as an option, the screens can be lowered and raised into place by remote control, so the driver does not have to stand in the dirty area
• MaxPowa V80 — pneumatic shaking of the filter screens is available as optional equipment

Water tank and recirculation

Recirculation reuses the water from the hopper, and the tanks are built to be emptied and flushed out:

• C202 — the recirculation tank has a large opening and a tilting pump for quick emptying and flushing. The pump is hinged for faster cleaning, and the stainless steel wedge-wire screens prevent clogging and make the recirculation system easier to clean
• CityCat V20 and V20e — the 150 l tank for used water is separate from the hopper for easier cleaning
• CityCat VR50 and VR50e — the water tanks have a moulded design that is easy to remove for maintenance
• MaxPowa V80 — the water jets in the nozzle boxes are self-cleaning, which Bucher says extends the service life of the components

Frost: drain the water before it freezes

The MaxPowa V series truck-mounted sweepers have Pressadrain as standard. When frost is forecast, the water is drained from the machine with a switch in the cab.

The fan and radiator

• C202 — the fan impeller has an inspection hatch that also gives access for cleaning
• C202 — a pusher cooling fan keeps the radiator clean when the hopper is emptied
• CityCat V20 and V20e — the fan is positioned so that, according to Bucher, it is no longer troubled by dirt
• CityCat VR50 and VR50e — powerful fan with hard-wearing blades

EasyClean and high pressure

With EasyClean, the machine cleans itself. On the VR50 and VR50e, the cleaning nozzles spray the fan, filter screen, dirty water tank, side walls and other hard-to-reach pockets, and Bucher states that the machine is clean in a couple of minutes. For the VR17e, Bucher says that EasyClean also means minimal risk of downtime due to sediment. On the VR17e and the V20 series, EasyClean is an option.

The high-pressure system can also be used on the sweeper. According to Bucher, Supawash, which is an option on the C202, can also be used to clean the sweeper after use, and the 120 bar system, which is an option on the V20 series, is intended for walls, steps, posts and railings — and for the sweeper.

The guide to dust suppression on sweepers explains how water and filters keep down dust during sweeping.

Electronics and engine are protected

Exposed nodes and electronic components are protected up to IP69 on the C202, the V20 series, the VR17e and the VR50, with additional covers that reduce the risk of water getting in. On the C202, a full engine cover shields the engine from water and dirt when the hopper is opened and when the machine is cleaned.

With the hopper raised

The C202 and VR50 have a mechanical hopper support in a high-visibility colour that engages automatically. On the MaxPowa, the self-activating support gives the driver and service personnel a safe working environment, and because it is released with the wireless pendant, no one needs to work under an unsecured hopper.

The C202 and VR50 models also have a battery isolator, which makes it safe to work and prevents accidental discharge.

Parts and service

You can order brushes and hoses through spare parts. Sigurd Stave Maskin AS has mobile service technicians in Oslo and Bergen, and you can reach the workshop during the day on +47 969 13 856.