Road sweeper servicing: intervals, lubrication, wear parts

The intervals only apply to the models they are stated for. Below, we go through the figures, what Bucher has built in to reduce lubrication and adjustment, and which parts still wear.

The intervals model by model

The figures are in Bucher's brochures and on the product pages:

• Bucher C202 — service every 500 operating hours. Bucher says the interval means lower costs and more time in operation
• CityCat V20 with diesel engine — every 500 hours
• CityCat V20e — every 1 000 hours, according to the brochure for the V20 and V20e from 2023
• MaxPowa V80 and MaxPowa V120 — 500 hours between routine services on the JCB auxiliary engines

The battery requires no maintenance

For the CityCat V20e and VR50e, Bucher says that the battery pack is maintenance-free, and that the electric drive concept keeps maintenance and service costs low. The battery sits in a casing that withstands impact, water and dust, and has a patented repair concept designed to ensure safety for both the driver and the workshop.

The guide to electric sweepers explains how charging works day to day.

Reminders and troubleshooting

The brochures for the C202 and the CityCat models describe Bucher Connect. This includes service reminders for planning workshop visits, and access to workshop manuals and maintenance schedules.

The machines also report problems themselves. The C202 has full diagnostics in the display module, and the CityCat models have full diagnostics on the CSense display, which Bucher says makes troubleshooting easy and reduces downtime. The VR17e also receives online software updates, without the machine having to go into the workshop.

Built for less lubrication and adjustment

Bucher lists parts that are maintenance-free, self-adjusting or require less maintenance:

• Brakes — the disc brakes on both axles are self-adjusting on the CityCat V20 and VR50, and the same applies to the drum brakes on the VR17e
• Brush arms and steering — the V20 series has maintenance-free brush arms and articulated steering that requires little or no maintenance
• Wheel suspension — maintenance-free independent suspension at the front on the V20 series and on all four wheels on the VR17e
• Lubrication points — fewer lubrication points on the V20 series, VR17e and VR50, with automatic lubrication (autolube) as an option
• Lights — LED work lights, which according to Bucher mean far fewer bulb changes

What wears out and needs replacing

Wear is mentioned particularly for hoses, tyres and brushes. This is what Bucher says:

• Hydraulics — steel pipes replace flexible hoses to reduce chafing and premature hose wear. According to Bucher, the VR17e and VR50 have up to 60% fewer hydraulic hoses than other machines in their class
• Brush arm hoses — the C202 has hoses on the brush arms that can be changed quickly
• Tyres — the C202 has tubeless industrial tyres that are designed to last up to 3 times as long as commercial tyres
• Brushes — the V20 series can be fitted with quiet brushes, weed brushes or poly and steel brushes, and the brushes are changed quickly with the quick-change system. With the push-type brush system, the ground pressure on the brushes is regulated as standard, which Bucher says gives good sweeping results with minimal wear
• Shear bolt — the brush arms and chassis on the C202 are protected by a shear bolt that the driver can easily replace themselves

HVO does not change the servicing

Bucher states that HVO can be used neat or blended with ordinary EN590 diesel, without conversion and without changes to the service requirements. This is stated both for the CityCat VR50 and for the JCB engines on the MaxPowa V80 and V120.

When the machine is due for service

Sigurd Stave Maskin AS is Kiwa-verified and certified to carry out annual inspections, and has mobile service technicians in Oslo and Bergen. You can reach the workshop during the day on +47 969 13 856. The on-call phone +47 488 82 040 is for telephone support and is staffed Monday–Friday from 15:30 to 08:00 and at weekends.

Have the model and the number of operating hours ready when you get in touch. You can order parts such as brushes and hoses through spare parts.