With a choice of sizes, configurations and all-electric options, welcome to improved suction, enhanced connectivity, increased comfort, and ever-important sustainability.

Compact sweepers are designed for use in more urban environments with mainly municipal applications. They are versatile, with sweeping capabilities from tiny single-track roads or pedestrianized areas, to large city center squares. Due to their specialized nature, Bucher offers 2 main types of compact sweepers - with two having the option of being fully electric.

Size

The size of your sweeper will depend on the functions it will be performing and the varying routes it will be taking.

The CityCat V20 series is our smallest sweeper, the hopper volume is 2m³ while still being a relatively small sweeper. This small size is great for highly built-up areas that have lots of tight roadways and one-way streets or alleyways. The small size means there is barely any disruption to traffic or pedestrians and the units can fit into the hardest-to-reach areas. With the V20, we also increased the width with the intention of being able to pick up larger items, and with a more efficient, energy-optimized fan. This is important when required to lift larger, heavier litter such as glass bottles. 

Our next sweeper is the mid-sized CityCat 5006 (diesel) and CityCat VR50e fully-electric. This is the right option if you want the power of a truck-mounted sweeper with the maneuverability of a compact. It is larger than the other compacts we offer with a hopper volume of 5.6 m³ and gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 10.5T. The compact outer dimensions, as well as the selectable four-wheel steering, give the vehicle maximum maneuverability and ensure perfect directional stability making it one of the safest in the market to operate.

We also offer large-sized truck-mounted sweepers for a more powerful sweep. These are often used more for construction or contractor work, but they can be considered for municipal use on larger roads and highways.

Steer Type

The main difference between articulated steering and 4 wheel steer is with articulated steering, wherever the front wheels go, the rest of the sweeper will follow. This is perfect for sweeping around tight corners such as around roundabouts and cul-de-sac corners or maneuvering through narrow gaps. This makes it easier to drive for the operators and reduces the chance of accidental damage when compared to fixed chassis units. With 4 wheel steer, however, the sweeper can turn on its own axle, making it able to maneuver and turn around in tight spots. This application is best seen in hammerhead roads and areas that have limited access but still require sweeping.

We offer both types of steer to suit all applications. The decision of which steer type to go with is completely dependent on preference and weighing up which units would be best for the application.

Attachments

Another consideration when thinking about which compact sweeper to purchase is the available attachments for each unit. All of our compacts come with the option to add a Wanderhose, Supawash, and Rotatlit.

The Wanderhose is a suction hose that is quick to deploy and easy to store, with no need for the operator to step off the curb or behind the sweeper. This allows easy litter and leaf collection outside of the sweeper's normal reach (e.g. behind lower walls, or through picket fencing).

The Supawash option is a high-pressure water system, with a hand lance and hose reel. It can be supplied with fan and pencil jets or detergent injection to assist in cleaning. Excellent for cleaning street furniture and signs or cleaning the vehicle at the end of a shift.

The Rotatilt option can be fitted to the brushes, resulting in maximum flexibility when sweeping, by being able to tilt the brush at an angle. This allows for steep gradients and angled curbside sweeping.

Where the CityCat series stands out however is with its revolutionary attachments. The V20 (electric and diesel options) come with the option of a front 3rd brush. The 3rd brush significantly increases the sweeping width and sweeping flexibility. It can be swiveled to the left or right and is impact protected. For heavy-duty work, the 3rd brush comes in an especially robust version that can be used with a weed rip brush. Pair this option with drip-free hydraulic couplings to increase flexibility by being able to connect other front attachments quickly and easily.

Environmental considerations are always a factor when deciding on which sweeper to choose. To address this, we offer our electric options V20e and VS20e for reduced environmental impact.

Electric technology is incredibly beneficial everywhere, but especially in more urban environments. Not only does an electric sweeper produce zero emissions which complies with low and ultra-low emission zones, but it produces significantly less noise pollution compared to its diesel counterparts. This is especially important in built-up urban areas when sweeping often occurs at unsociable hours.

Air quality in busy towns and city centers is also a factor that must be considered. All our compact sweepers are PM2.5/10 4-star certified, meaning they are proven to reduce or remove harmful particulates from the environment. Harmful particulate matter sits on the road surface and is turned airborne by passing vehicles. Our sweepers effectively collect these particulates, ultimately improving air quality. Furthermore, by using an electric sweeper, there are no additional particulates created by the engine, making an electric sweeper the best possible vehicle to clean your area from an environmental standpoint.

The choice of which compact sweeper to go for is completely dependent on your applications. We offer a compact for every situation, through a variety of sizes, steer options, and additional attachments. Environmental impact is a huge consideration moving towards the future but dependent on the existing infrastructure available, may not currently be feasible. With the options laid out in this piece, you should have a better understanding of the choices and applications each compact addresses.

 If you need any further help with deciding which compact is right for you, don’t hesitate to get in contact with a member of our friendly team today.