Two into one does go
March 1st 2007

With its powerful LPG engine, large tanks and dirt hopper, the new Hakomatic 1800 LPG from Hako Machines is a ride-on machine that provides economical and efficient sweeping and scrubbing in a single, heavy duty unit

The advantages of using a single machine for sweeping and scrubberdrying instead of two units brings obvious cost efficiencies," says Stuart Taylor, managing director of Hako Machines Ltd. "Users have one set of service costs, capital expenditure is significantly reduced and, of course, there are massive savings to be made in staff wages by not running two machines and, therefore, not employing two workers to operate them." Hako stress that the new machine is equally suited to both sweeping and scrubber drying tasks and its ability to perform either function is not compromised by its dual role. For example, when it comes to the sweeping function, a powerful hydraulic sweeper unit with a large main broom and two side brushes gives the 1800 LPG a total working width of up to 1,920 mm. As well as easily cleaning up large amounts of dirt, the machine can dispose of it just as efficiently thanks to infinitely variable hydraulic emptying of the dirt hopper via a high dump. This allows, for example, dirt to be unloaded directly into large waste containers (up to a height of 1,520 mm).

The compressor used for the rubbish provides excellent filling properties, while a Dust Protection Class 'L' cassette filter ensures effective dust vacuuming.

When it switches to scrubber-drier mode, the compact 1800 LPG has a working width of 1,270mm and features a 380 litre volume clean water tank and has a 400 litre dirty water capacity. The machine benefits from a hydraulic brush drive (comprising three plate brushes with generous overlap) and an adjustable hydraulic brush pressure of up to 180 kg, which can adapt to all types of floor covering. A parabolic squeegee with rubber blades – which are highly resistant to wear and suitable for tough multiple–shift applications – swivels right under the machine's body.

Operator comfort and safety As with all Hako machines operator comfort was a prime consideration throughout the 1800 LPG design process and all the controls are directly within the operator's reach and view. All features can be switched on or off using finger-tip controls.

Getting on and off the 1800 LPG is very simple and operators gain easy access to an elevated seating position, which guarantees excellent visibility of the scrubbing unit.

With its robust steel frame, the 1800 LPG is a tough machine but it is also a very safe one: front and rear lights are fitted as standard while a reverse warning signal and a squeegee that lifts when the machine is going backwards, take away many of the hazards often associated with reversing. In addition, the machine's side brushes, brush head and squeegee swivel beneath the 1800LPG's body to avoid collisions.

Economical Thanks to its large tanks, the 1800 LPG allows shorter set up times and economy is further enhanced by an optional recycling system that saves resources and, when the machine comes to a standstill, the brushes and the water supply are stopped. The cleaning solution dosage can be easily adapted to suit the type and amount of dirt being collected, while an Automatic Filling System ensures the exact dosage is supplied.

Maintenance-friendly The drive unit, drain hose and dust filter system are all easily accessible to make maintenance simple and, thus, ensure machine downtime is kept to an absolute minimum.

The drive unit swings out from the machine's main body and the dust filter can be accessed without the need for tools, which means it can be changed quickly and easily. The main broom can also be swapped or adjusted without tools.

The 1800 LPG has the capacity to clean over 12,000 square metres an hour – making it the ideal machine for cleaning both inside and outside even the largest facilities, while an excellent climbing ability makes the machine particularly suited to multi-storey car park applications. Its large wheels and high ground clearance ensure the 1800 can negotiate kerbs with ease.

"The 180 LPG performs both sweeping scrubber-drying operations equally well," says Stuart Taylor. "Users cannot fail to be impressed by the 1800 LPG's ability to undertake both of these vital cleaning tasks effectively and they will be even more impressed with the cost and time efficiencies that using a single unit will bring to their operation."

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