Dust suppression on sweepers: water, recycling and filters

For the GS brush sweepers, the data sheets list no dust certification, and water is only mentioned as optional equipment: the GS brochures show sprinklers for GS 0750, GS 0850, GS 1010 and GS 1200 Pro. This guide therefore covers the Bucher machines.

Water jets where the dust is generated

It is the brushes that loosen the dust, which is why the first water supply is located there. On the Bucher C202, each brush arm has water jets that lay a fine spray of fresh water over the dust the brushes stir up.

On the chassis-mounted MaxPowa V120, the jets are at the suction mouth, at the side brushes and across the front of the vehicle. The machine also has Pressadrain, which allows the water to be drained from the machine using a switch in the cab when there is a risk of frost. The water tank is filled through a type A hydrant coupling.

Water curtain and recycled water

The next stage is in the suction mouth. On the C202, recycled water from the hopper load is filtered through stainless steel wedge-wire panels and pumped into the inlet duct of the suction mouth. All the material is wetted on its way through this water curtain and drops into the hopper.

The point of recycling is to reuse the water already in the hopper. Bucher says that on the CityCat VR17e this reduces refilling costs and extends the time out on the job.

• VR17e — water recycling fitted as standard
• C202 — separate 250 l recycling tank
• CityCat V20, V20e, VR50 and VR50e — water recycling as an option

How much water each model carries

The tank determines how long the jets can run before the machine has to refill:

• VR17e — 235 l fresh water
• C202 — 152 or 175 l fresh water depending on engine version, plus 250 l in the recycling tank
• CityCat V20e and V20 — 425 l in total: 275 l fresh water and 150 l service water. As an option, the service water tank can be used as an extension of the fresh water supply for combined sweeping and washing
• VR50 and VR50e — 880 l fresh water, or 2000 l with an extra 1120 l tank, which reduces the hopper capacity. On the VR50e, two water pumps feed the jets
• MaxPowa V120 — 5200 l in an integrated stainless steel tank, and up to 6900 l in total

The filter screen maintains suction

The water binds the dust, but it is the airflow that carries it into the hopper. If the filter screen clogs, the air speed drops and the machine loses suction. What to look for:

• V20, V20e and VR17e have a large, easy-to-clean filter screen which, according to Bucher, keeps the air speed up in the leaf season
• The V20 series has a straight suction tube, which Bucher states gives minimal risk of clogging
• VR50 has a large hydraulically actuated panel filter that makes it possible to pick up large objects
• VR50 and VR50e can be fitted with optional EasyClean, which washes the fan, filter screen, dirty water tank and side walls clean in a couple of minutes

High-pressure washing on the same machine

If the machine is also used for washing, that takes water too. On the V20 series, the service water tank can optionally be used to extend the fresh water supply for combined sweeping and washing. The high-pressure systems are optional:

• C202 — Supawash high-pressure washer, 9 l at 68 bar, with hose reel and 10 m hose
• V20 and V20e — 20 bar (medium-pressure) or 120 bar (high-pressure) water pump
• VR17e — 100 bar high-pressure system
• VR50 — 100 or 200 bar high-pressure pump
• MaxPowa V120 — Supawash, 32 l/min at 100 bar

What the data sheets say about dust emissions

Bucher states a four-star rating in the PM10 and PM2.5 certification for C202, CityCat V20, V20e, VR17e, VR50 and VR50e. For the MaxPowa V120, the data sheet says nothing about dust certification. If the client asks for documentation, this is the information to refer them to.

When you contact us

Dust suppression is about water and time. Include the following:

• How long the machine's shifts will be, and where it can refill with water along the way
• What is being swept: fine dust and gritting sand, leaves, or coarse material and large objects
• Whether high-pressure washing will be done on the same run
• Whether the client asks for documentation of dust emissions
• Where the machine will be emptied and cleaned after the shift