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Sweeping Industry News Bulletin |
Elgin Sweeper Introduces Crosswind Specialty Sweeper For Racetrack Sweeping And Maintenance Applications
The new Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper from Elgin Sweeper is making its debut at NASCAR racetracks around the country this racing season. The new sweeper ideal for vacuuming water off track surface and picking up debris and oil-dry.
ELGIN, Ill. (Aug. 20, 2010) – The new Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper from Elgin Sweeper is a regenerative air sweeper that includes unique features developed for racetrack sweeping and maintenance applications, including a 20,000 CFM-rated blower, a hydraulically-driven, plastic bristle side broom on one side of the sweeper and a high-performance air-blast nozzle on the other side. For remote cleaning, the unit also features a soft wall cleaning attachment and a large jib boom-mounted 8-inch rear vacuum hose for the big jobs.
The Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper can clean a wide, 117-inch path with its side broom and pickup head. With its side air-blast nozzle, debris can be blown off the track for distances up to 50 feet. The sweeper has a generous 8-yard hopper to contain ample track debris. The 2010 Freightliner M2 chassis features dual controls for operation from either the right- or left-side of the cab. The dual engine sweeper features a 115 hp turbocharged diesel engine for the sweeper and a 200 hp diesel chassis engine. For enhanced visibility, the sweeper is equipped with a vast array of amber safety lights on both the chassis and sweeper. Throughout the 2010 NASCAR season – the 62nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States – the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper will participate in several events, including races at Daytona International Speedway, Kansas Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Gateway International Raceway, O'Reilly Raceway, Iowa Speedway and several other tracks. Sporting a unique, racing-themed graphics wrap, the sweeper is easy to spot as it makes its rounds. "The Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper was designed for the most demanding racetrack sweeping jobs," said Brian Giles, sweeper product manager at Elgin Sweeper. "With its special racetrack additions, this sweeper delivers unmatched operator efficiency and productivity on the racetrack." Giles said the new sweeper was engineered with input from racetrack officials in the NASCAR circuit. Elgin Sweeper representatives – along with Jeff Miles from Key Equipment & Supply Company, an Elgin Sweeper dealer based in Kansas City, Kansas – participated in, and conducted a training class at, the annual NASCAR Security and Services Summit to address various operations, fire and safety, medical and security issues, including track maintenance. A lifelong racing enthusiast, Miles is also a lead driver for the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which gives him an added appreciation for clean track conditions while traveling to tracks across the United States. He has been helping design and supply Elgin Sweeper units to racetracks, airports, municipalities and contractors for nearly 20 years. In 2001, Miles had the opportunity to sweep the second layer of race surface at the new Kansas Speedway to help prevent airborne dust during a locally televised test session. "My racing experience not only gave me the chance to see first-hand the different tracks and their sweeping programs and challenges, it led to several design ideas for a sweeper that not only excelled on a racetrack surface but also worked efficiently around a racetrack complex," Miles said. In addition to sweeping the racetracks, Giles said the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper can also quickly and efficiently remove standing water, rubber and debris in and around the pit area, which contributes to the overall safety of the racers, their crews and spectators. The machine has a special oil-dry pickup feature to significantly reduce airborne dust without spraying water on the race surface which could create a slick surface. According to Giles, the top transport speed of the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper clocks in at approximately 70 mph, ensuring prompt response on and off the track. "It may not be able to keep up with a stock car at top speed, but this sweeper can get from job to job and make quick work of any sweeping challenges that come up before, during and after a race," he said. Air-blast system The powerful, 20,000 CFM-rated blower is ideally suited for locations where jet dryers can't be used, such as grass on the inside field, pit areas and weepers (cracks on a racetrack where water seeps through). The blower volume, chute height and angle can all be controlled, making the sweeper even more maneuverable and responsive on the job. Soft wall cleaning attachment Using the same 20,000 CFM system, the soft wall cleaning attachment on the sweeper handles water, debris and rubber cleanup. The attachment features a 20-foot lightweight hose for easy operator control, an aluminum vacuum end tube for increased durability and a quick-disconnect for fast and easy installation and storage. For general cleaning, a larger rear door wandering hose is available. Side broom Featuring a poly bristle broom construction, the hydraulically-driven high-torque side broom can be controlled pneumatically by the operator inside the cab. The side broom extension allows track cleaning right up to the wall, while keeping ample sweeper distance from the wall for track safety light clearance. Rear-door decant system Designed for quick and efficient vacuum removal of standing water on racetracks, the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper features a rear-door decant system which allows the machine to drain the load without opening the door. A large decant valve and debris filter cage are installed on the door to prevent hose clogging. Tilt test To verify that the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper can operate effectively on the steep banks and inclines associated with various racetracks around the country, the machine was tested for maximum tilt angle at the Caterpillar, Inc., research facility in Peoria, Illinois. An in-cab angle measurement system on the sweeper audibly and visually alerts the operator to steep incline conditions that exceed the maximum tilt angle. Professional stock car racing fans can follow along with the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper as it continues its tour of super tracks this racing season by visiting Elgin Sweeper's Facebook page. For more information on the new Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper, please contact your local Elgin Sweeper dealer, or visit www.elginsweeper.com to find a dealer near you. Sold and serviced through a network of more than 100 dealer locations worldwide, Elgin Sweeper products are the sweepers of choice for a variety of general street maintenance, special industrial and airport applications. With more than 90 years of experience, Elgin Sweeper offers municipalities, contractors and industries the most sweeper options in the country, using the latest sweeping technologies—mechanical, pure vacuum, regenerative air, alternative fuel and waterless dust control. Elgin Sweeper is a subsidiary of Federal Signal Corporation's Environmental Solutions Group. For more information, visit www.elginsweeper.com or see your local Elgin Sweeper dealer. If you have a question or comment, please let us know. If appropriate, we'll add it to the bottom of this page. |
 © 2010 World Sweeper
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