Electric LitterHogs provide green solution to street cleaning
Euromec has expanded its product range in response to requests for environmentally friendly street cleaning solutions. Keen to lower carbon footprints and reduce pollution levels, local authorities and other large organisations are increasingly looking for greener options for their sanitisation tasks but without the need to compromise on cleaning ability.
The LitterHog range of electric sweepers and litter vacs has been specially designed to meet this need. The battery-powered range extends from the compact, self-propelled street vacuum model through to the large, 24-volt ride-on sweeper, the LitterHog Sweep.
The LitterHog Sweep is designed to tackle larger tasks within urban environments such as city and town centres, pedestrianised areas and parks. The machine is easy to control and there is the option to use the ride-on chariot for greater comfort during longer cleaning tasks. Depending on usage, the Sweep has the capacity to operate for up to 13 hours on a single charge. The on-board battery charger is also compatible with a household electrical socket.
The machine’s mechanical cleaning action ensures waste is collected inside the large 135 litre hopper, while the powerful filtering system absorbs and retains tiny PM10 particulate matter, emitting clean air into the atmosphere in return. PM10 particles, which can be generated by transport or power station emissions as well as naturally occurring through mould spores and other substances, are less than 10 microns in size - a micron is one 1000th of a millimetre.
Due to its electric motor, the Sweep does not emit any harmful emissions of its own, while its quiet operation means it is ideally suited to urban areas, reducing any noise disturbance to homes and offices. On a practical level, the Sweep can be fitted with on-board ramps as an optional extra. This enables easy access to high kerbs or other difficult-to-reach areas.
The same functionality is to be found on the other machines in the LitterHog range. The electric street vacuum, the LitterHog Pro, has been purpose-designed for use in urban centres, as well as open spaces such as parks. Its powerful suction capability will enable operators to remove any type of waste from cigarette butts and water bottles, through to dog excrement and much more.
The Litterhog Pro is also equipped with a double liquid misting system. This means the spray on the suction hose can be used to extinguish cigarette butts before sucking them up, eliminating any risk of combustion inside the 240-litre capacity hopper. This feature can also be used to sanitise the ground after clearing away dog excrement. The spray nozzle inside the hopper also reduces dust and bad odours.
The enhanced Litterhog Pro+ is equipped with a mechanical arm to support the weight of the suction tube and keep it extended in a straight line to help with the suction of larger items of waste. In addition, the innovative Air Blast function continually purges the filter to avoid clogging.
Completing the range is the compact LitterHog battery-operated outdoor vacuum. The self-propelled machine is designed to operate in difficult to access spaces within town and city centres, and makes swift work of rubbish such as cans, bottles, leaves and more.
Peter Crewe, chairman of Euromec, said: “We are delighted to be able to add these powerful and versatile machines to the Euromec range. They meet the stringent demands from councils for a practical cleaning solution that is both efficient and environmentally friendly. While the ability to effectively clear waste from town and city centre environments is an essential requirement, the ability of the machines to capture pollution particles is of critical importance. With large authorities such as those in London and Birmingham introducing new measures to control vehicle emissions, the ability of the LitterHogs to capture and contain PM10 particulates is especially important, and a great benefit to the wellbeing of people within such urban areas.”
Preparing your sweeper fleet for winter
Paul Brewer, operations director at Dawsongroup sweepers, shares his top tips for keeping your road sweeper fleet operational and on the road this winter.
Road sweeping doesn’t stop for a winter break. In fact, it’s more important than ever. From autumnal leaf debris to grit and dirt, the winter months bring a number of challenges for local authorities. Having the right machines in your fleet - and making sure they are ready for the unpredictable weather conditions ahead - is crucial to efficient municipal operations. Here, I share Dawsongroup sweepers’ five top tips for staying on the road this winter and keeping streets and pavements clean during the cold months ahead.
Choose your machines wisely
Having the right municipal vehicles in your fleet that can tackle the challenges of winter road cleaning is key. Look for a sweeper with a high-powered engine, designed with reliability and durability in mind. Low fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions will also offset the prolonged time it may take to tackle street cleaning during adverse weather conditions. It’s also worth opting for a model that has several sweeping performance levels, as pollution and debris will likely be more stubborn at this time of year.
Servicing and maintenance
Ensuring you stay on top of fleet maintenance is incredibly important all-year-round, but it can be a lifesaver during winter. Many rental agreements come with R&M (repair and maintenance) cover included. For example, our nationwide coverage of field service engineers ensures that wherever one of our machines breaks down, we can have a response to you within four hours. We also have a 92% 24-hour fix rate, which means we can get your vehicle back on the road the next day. If we can't get your machine roadworthy, we can also give the option of a replacement machine while yours is out of service.
Safety first
In addition to regular servicing, it is wise to regularly check vehicle condition during the winter period. From switching to winter tyres and checking tread, to topping up anti-freeze and screen wash, make sure your vehicles are ready for snowy and icy conditions, whenever they are needed on the road.
Driver training
Make sure that your drivers are prepared for difficult weather conditions by topping up their training. This will ensure that your vehicles are used in the most efficient manner, ultimately saving you time and money.
Winterproof your fleet
Most municipal and industrial road sweepers can have snow ploughs and gritters added to them for the winter months. This not only keeps you operational regardless of the weather, but it also keeps your drivers safe when driving on slippery roads and pavements.
When building or renewing your fleet, it worth considering an asset or fleet management firm. When you go directly to the manufacturer you only have access to their vehicles, but if you work with a supplier like Dawsongroup sweepers, you have access to numerous premium brands, all backed up with a service and maintenance package. This not only ensures that your fleet is fit for purpose all year round, but it also gives you peace of mind that your vehicles will remain operational, even during the most challenging seasons.
