Elgin Sweeper has created a single-engine configuration of its Crosswind regenerative air sweeper, which is used for cleaning large, paved areas such as streets, parking lots and airport runways.
The new engine configuration features a variable-speed device installed between the chassis engine and transmission, which allows the engine to simultaneously power both the truck and the sweeper.
“Until now, single-engine air sweeper technology required a cumbersome multi-step process to switch between road and work modes,” said Mike Higgins, vice president and general manager of Elgin Sweeper. “With the single-engine Crosswind sweeper configuration, Elgin Sweeper is radically changing sweepers for good. More municipalities and contractors are embracing the single-engine Crosswind for their street sweeping needs.”
The new Crosswind allows the operator to switch between modes with a simple push of a button, without the need to stop. According to Higgins, the new sweeper is easy to operate, with minimal training required compared to prior street sweeper designs.
Testing sparks technological advancements
“Although traditional single- and twin-engine sweepers clean effectively and satisfy EPA Tier 4 requirements, we knew we could create a better solution, and our customers agreed,” said Ron Schmidt, vice president of technology development at Elgin Sweeper.
Elgin Sweeper made a significant financial investment, as well as several years of research, developing the new single-engine Crosswind before offering pre-production models to its customers for field tests.
“Thousands of hours of real-world use provided valuable customer feedback that helped us further refine the product and the technology before introducing this breakthrough sweeper to the market,” Schmidt said.
To improve the operator experience, Elgin tackled the common complaint that twin-engine sweepers generate excessive noise and vibration from the auxiliary engine.
“The average operator sweeps six hours per day, the din of the engine and the tremors of the auxiliary engine and its drivetrain can be both irritating and fatiguing to the operator,” said James Crockett, strategic product manager at Elgin Sweeper. “The single engine, combined with Elgin Sweeper’s Quiet Pak sound-dampening technology, helps minimize vibration and noise on the new Crosswind.”
As the chassis engine on the new Crosswind operates under a higher load, it minimizes particulate matter buildup that would require active regeneration to burn off.
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The time-consuming and costly maintenance checks, after-treatments and additional service requirements associated with an auxiliary engine are eliminated on the single-engine Crosswind. Downtime and expenses are also reduced with only one set of engine maintenance requirements.
“Performing oil changes, belt inspections and filter replacements on the single-engine Crosswind costs a fraction of the annual maintenance required on twin-engine sweepers,” Crockett said.
“Those cost savings will have a more positive impact on a municipal or contractor customer’s bottom line.”
