Industrial sweepers are categorized into Broom Sweepers and Vacuum Sweepers and are used categorically for different types of applications and debris. Broom Sweepers could be customized as per the dust type, content, etc. with different types of brushes and pick up actions. The other category is of Vacuum Sweepers which are primary used for heavy sweeping applications using vacuum action. These could be Truck Mounted variants or could be integrated sweepers.
Sweeping in an industry calls for perfect collection of dust lying on the floors with minimal dust flying into the air. For this, there are sweeper options available with “high dust lift” due to the brush and suction unit combination on mechanical sweepers and also could be done with a purely suction sweeper. Where the dust content is high, like in the warehouses, industries or parking lots, due to the movement of goods and vehicles, one may require a softer brush for easy pick up and pocket filters of the order of 2.5-50sqm. For heavier particles hard brushes could be used for efficient lift. Likewise numerous customizations could be made suiting the desired application.
Cost Benefit & Productivity
As per standards, a person could be cleaning around 250sqm in an hour and the use of a sweeper could compensate for almost 5-50 people. The productivity of a sweeper ranges from 3500sqm/hr to above 20000sqm/hr; if this workhorse effectively utilized, it could actually provide the clients quicker returns on investments. Topping this up, a client gets speed of operations, complete cleaning efficiency and increased product lifecycle which all boil down to cost benefits for the customers.
Source of power
This is one critical factor which is often ignored while selecting a sweeper as it impacts its operational efficiency. Moreover for industries, environment protection has been of prime importance which often is a desired parameter for the production processes too. For indoor operations, it is preferred that the sweeper is battery driven in view of reducing the noise levels and exhaust gases.
For outdoor operations where long running hours are required, diesel or petrol engines are used as drive power to increase the autonomy.
Operational Efficiency
If the Sweepers are chosen correctly in line with the desired area of coverage, desired material to be picked up, right filter specs and right drive power, then the cleaning process is bound to provide immediate and visible results. Say for example, fine dust collection requires a sweeper operating with a direct throw principle. If one used a overthrow sweeper (which is cost effective in most cases), then over the usage period, one could see reduction in dust flying out from the sides of the sweeper to minimize which one needs to move slowly thus cutting on the speed and productivity.
Hence operational efficiency is directly proportional to the right machine selection, following of the correct SOPs of operations and most importantly to the right maintenance of machine.
Raja Mukherjee
National Head-
Training & Technical Services
Forbes Pro Technology, Eureka Forbes Ltd
