Chalmers Clean Up Challenge

Unsealed portions of the yard meant that the constant flow of trucks and forklifts to and from the containers tracked an endless supply of dirt and debris to concreted areas. This created a poor image for current and potential clients, and a grimy work environment for their staff.

The existing sweeper struggled to cope with the volume of dust, and staff found it tough to drive about the facility. Chalmers made calls to a number of industrial cleaning equipment suppliers, and held trials that would test the performance of each machine recommended.

Through the Intelligent Solutions Program, Conquest recommended the PB170-D-4, a robust ride-on sweeper with a large waste hopper suited to the size of the facility. Unlike other common sweepers that utilise a single wheel drive, the PB170-D-4 has a unique four wheel system that drives from the two rear wheels. This drive system provides better stability in rough or changing terrain, and allows the operator greater comfort and control of the unit.

The drive system is also hydraulic, reducing maintenance requirements with its simpler belt-free design. PB170-D-4 is built around a philosophy of strong mechanical design that does not require electronics to get the job done. For a harsh and demanding environment like the Chalmers site in Yarraville, this was ideal.

The machine was a success from the start. It ‘outperformed all the competitors’ in trials, according to a workshop supervisor at the site. Describing the machine as ‘tough and reliable’, the machine’s ‘truly amazing’ performance cleaning up thick dust and large hopper capacity reduced how frequent and intensive cleaning sessions had to be. The unit’s four wheel system also impressed, with the workshop supervisor describing it as the ‘ultimate comfort, stability and versatility’.

The PB170-D-4’s performance impressed the team at Chalmers Melbourne so much, they later decided to install not one, but two PB170-D-4’s, into sites in Queensland.