[GENERAL SYSTEM DESCRIPTION]

The Schwarze M6000 mechanical sweeper is a heavy-duty, four wheeled, self-propelled sweeper designed for optimum efficiency and service under varying conditions. The sweeper is designed to be mounted on a standard production truck chassis. Several options are available including dual steering and air conditioning.

The mechanical sweeper works by picking up the debris from the roadway and moving it into the sweeping path, where the rear broom sweeps the debris onto a conveyor system, which in turn carries the debris to the 5 cubic yard hopper. With steel brooms, this equipment is made for heavy debris found on larger industrial sites, new construction areas laden with mud and gravel and other such demanding maintenance areas. Used extensively on highways to remove grime and debris, mechanical broom sweepers are the workhorses of the construction and asphalt industries.” Once the material is conveyed into the debris hopper, it can be dumped from a height range of 16” to 138”, providing maximum flexibility in your operations.

For your convenience and safety, the Schwarze M6000 sweeper is controlled via a console located in the cab of the truck. This console allows the remote operation of the hydraulic, dust suppression, and lighting systems as well as the sweeper’s auxiliary engine, if in the twin engine (TE) configuration.

Your new Schwarze M6000 sweeper may also be configured in the single engine (SE) configuration. In addition, there may be other options that would be added prior to the sweeper leaving the factory or dealer installed. For more details about the many available options, contact a Schwarze Industries sales representative at 1-800-879-7933.


[HYDRAULIC SYSTEM]

The hydraulic system is comprised of electric switches, hydraulic pumps, control valves, hoses, motors and cylinders. Energy is transmitted form the sweeper’s power source to the load sense hydraulic pump via a direct drive mechanism, either a shaft from the Power Take Off (PTO) for the SE configuration or an auxiliary engine in the TE configuration. The pump unit circulates pressurized fluid through hoses and control valve throughout the system. The electrical switches mounted on the control panel in the truck’s cab control the hydraulic system. Technically, these switches control the hydraulic directional valves mounted on the manifolds that route the flow of high-pressure hydraulic fluid.

The manifolds are internally configured with the directional valves positioned in parallel. There are five manifolds in three different styles in the system. The left side four function manifold controls the hydraulic motor functions of the elevator, main broom and gutter brooms. The two single function manifolds control the hydraulic tilt functions on the gutter brooms. The right side five function manifold controls the up and down movement of the hopper, brooms and hopper dump hydraulic system.



[ELECTRICAL SYSTEM]

The Schwarze M6000 employs a standard 12-volt electrical system. The main power feed for the system is protected by an 80 ampere, manual-resetting circuit breakers (in-line between the battery and console) and resettable circuit breakers (in the console enclosure).


[CONSOLE INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS]

The control panel is located inside the cab and mounted within easy reach of the driver/operator. All controls on the console are electrically operated. In addition to the controls o n the sweeper’s console, there are six extremely important gauges which must be monitored periodically by the driver/operator. These are the engine’s tachometer, hour meter, oil pressure gauge, voltmeter gauge, temperature and water level. TE model sweepers are equipped with a shutdown system that shuts down the auxiliary engine if the oil pressure or engine temperature falls outside of acceptable limits. It will also shut down if the coolant level is low.


[LIGHTS AND FLASHERS]

To increase operational safety, the sweeper may be equipped with a number of optional electrical lights and flashers. Worklights are available for the brooms and hopper to enable the driver/operator to see well when operating at night. A flashing warning strobe or beacon may be positioned on the top of the cab and/ or at the rear of the sweeper. These are used to alert motorists and pedestrians of the presence of the relatively slow moving sweeping machine. Switches mounted on the console inside the truck cab control all lights. Always keep all lights operating properly.

In addition to other safety features, a backup warning alarm is standard. The high-pitched backup alarm warns bystanders that the sweeper is moving in reverse.


[WATER SYSTEM]

The dust suppression system consists of:
· Polyethylene tank with a capacity of 350 gallons (200 gallons on Convential Cab TE)
· Overflow pipe
· Water level float
· Y Strainer (fill strainer is optional)
· Electrically driven water pump
· Hoses
· Front spray bar
· Gutter broom spray nozzles
· An optional rear main broom spray bar
· An optional washdown hose
· Water manifold
· Solenoid valves
· Air stem for clearing water from the system

Using strategically placed spray nozzles to dampen the sweeping surface in front of the gutter and main brooms; the dust suppression system is designed to reduce the amount of airborne dust produced during sweeper operations. Water is stored in a durable, rust-free polyethylene reservoir. The water tank has a capacity of 350-gallons (200 gallons on Conventional Cab TE) and is easily and quickly refilled from fire hydrants using a standard 2 ½ inch hydrant hose.

From the 350-gallon reservoir (200 gallons on Conventional Cab TE), water flows through a Y strainer, the electrically driven water pump, the water manifold and hoses to the spray nozzles.

From the sweeper console, switches control water flow with solenoid valves attached to the manifold. Water may be directed to nozzles in the front spray bar and/or the gutter broom spray nozzles and/or the optional rear main broom spray bar, depending upon where dust suppression is needed.

Water consumption is determined by:
· The number of nozzles opened
· The length of time nozzles are opened

In normal conditions, not all water solenoid valves are open.

A sensor, in the water reservoir’s wall, operates a light on the console to alert the operator that the reservoir’s water level is low and shuts power off to the pump. The sensor is activated at the 3-4 inch mark, however the water level is close to the bottom of the pick-up tube for the pump suction line. It is a good policy to refill the tank to prevent running out if you are not near a source of water.

For winterizing, a valve pushing high-velocity air into the dust suppression system helps to purge the hoses of water and prevents damage to the water system during freezing conditions.

A washdown hose may be attached to a valve located on the end of the manifold. This is especially useful for end of shift cleanup.

For dust suppression system maintenance, part replacement and winterizing, see Section 3.10 Dust Suppression System Maintenance.



[DUAL STEERING SYSTEM]

Dual steering allows the sweeper operator to drive from either the right or left side of the truck. This design offers full instrumentation from both driving positions. All the necessary indicator lights and gauges (speedometer, oil pressure, water temperature, fuel level, etc) are located in the dash in the direct line of sight from both driving positions. Left-and right-hand foot throttles, foot brakes and self-canceling turn signal switches are included. The foot pedals are located in nearly identical positions so that the driver doesn’t have to re-adjust for each driving position.

Driving form the right side gives the operator better control of the sweeper while sweeping on the right side of the truck. For travel to and from sweeping sites, operators should always drive from the left side of the truck cab.


[GUTTER BROOM]

The gutter broom’s main function is to scrub the surface on both sides of the sweeper (usually the gutters) and sweep any debris towards the adjustable dirt deflector, which is located in the center, underneath the cab. The two rotating 44-inch four segment gutter brooms complement the Schwarze M6000 main broom.

Mounted under the sweeper, behind the cab on both the right and left sides of the sweeper, gutter brooms are suspended from the sweeper frame. Each hydraulically controlled arm, operated from the cab console, contains a hydraulic motor for turning the broom head, which is mounted inside a disc. Because the pneumatic cylinders control down-pressure relief, the gutter broom head automatically pivots inward to relieve when curb obstacle collisions occur. Free floats allow the gutter broom to follow the contour of the pavement, thus eliminating excessive wear and extending the life of the individual broom segment.

The gutter brooms are retracted into the travel system via hydraulic cylinders. In addition, optional hydraulic tilt is available which enables the operator to control the tilt of the gutter broom from inside the cab. This option is especially useful in areas where gutter depth varies significantly. The power tilt option allows the operator to control the tilt while sweeping as opposed to halting operations and adjusting the tilt manually.

The optional in-cab variable broom speed is also available to those operators who wish to be able to adjust the broom speed due to varying conditions.


[MAIN BROOM]

The main broom’s function is the sweeping of debris forward into the elevator. A switch in the console operates the main broom.

The main broom is located in the elevator housing. The broom is attached to the sweeper frame and is suspended at the rear of the truck. The lift assembly, consisting of lift arms and hydraulic cylinders, serves to raise and lower both the main broom and the elevator.

The broom is mounted on an arbor inside the elevator housing. The ends of the arbor’s shaft protrude through bearings on either side of the housing. A hydraulic motor turns a sprocket and chain mechanism connected to the broom sprocket which turns the broom. To compensate for broom bristle wear, the broom arbor is lowered by adjusting the pnuematic cylinders which allow for in-cab adjustment.


[ELEVATOR]

The function of the elevator is to receive debris from the main broom operation and transport it into the hopper. A switch in the console controls the elevator run operation. This full width elevator has been designed as a non-fixed position elevator, having a lowered ‘run’ position and a raised ‘travel’ position. A pneumatic cylinder raises and lowers the elevator while a second cylinder displaces the elevator to allow the hopper to dump.

As the main broom sweeps, it pushes debris into the full-width elevator. Within the elevator shaft, which runs at an angle up from the pavement to the top of the elevator, are two heavy chains. These two strands of chain loop around sprockets mounted to an upper axle, located at the top of the elevator shaft, and a lower axle. A hydraulic motor, drives the upper axle, through a chain and sprocket driving the conveyor assembly. Thirteen rubber elevator drapes move debris from the bottom of the elevator and drag it up the abrasion-resistant elevator floor. As the flight rounds the top axle, the rubber flap pitches the debris into the hopper with a flicking action.

The pneumatic cylinder that raises and lowers the 3” total travel of the elevator may also be used for sweeping light, bulky materials into the elevator.

Since the elevator is a hard working, constant duty component of the sweeper and will need daily inspection and service.



[HOPPER]

The function of the 5 cubic yard capacity hopper is to receive material from the dirt-conveying elevator. When desired, the hopper contents may be dumped on a surface or into a dump truck bin on the dump side of the sweeper. A switch in the console controls the dump function. The hopper is equipped with a plexi-glass window in its front wall and a skylight. These portals allows the operator to know at a glance when the hopper is nearing its capacity. Debris is received through an opening in the rear wall of the hopper.

The dump height is achieved through a scissors lift mechanism that raises the hopper to a variable height of 16” to 138” under the edge of the hopper door in the dumped position. Upon reaching the desired dump height, the operator toggles the dump switch in the console to open the dump door via two hydraulic cylinders. As the door opens, the hopper also tilts via two hydraulic cylinders. Upon completion of the dumping sequence, the operator reverses the switch and returns the hopper to its normal position while closing the dump door.