Get out of that! Swingo fout wheel steer tackles town's steep and narrow alleys

Swingo

The selection of a new compact sweeper for Teignbridge was fairly simple: if it could sweep up a very steep, very narrow alley and then manoeuvre safely round a 90-degree corner it was in with a chance.

So the district council had every available competitive compact sweeper for a demonstration, and the Schmidt Swingo 250 offered the best quality and value for money.

Unlike some of the machines tested, it managed the task without damaging walss, fences, itself or, in one case, the engine threatening to burn out.

The difficulty for Newton Abbot, one of South Devon's most attractive market towns, is that, while the centre comprises pedestrian precincts, wide pavements and open roads, the residential areas have exceptionally narrow rear alleys and walkways.  These collect a lot of waste and litter and the District Council has the statutory role of cleaning them.

Specialist Fleet Services, which provides the Council's cleansing fleet as part of a long-term contract hire arrangment, and shane Tozer, Teignbridge's Cleansing Chargehand, who organised the evaluation exercise, say the new vehicle is comfortable and effective in the town centre and narrow alleys, and even sweeps the town's multi-storey car park.

Driver/operator Brian Crude was trained by Schmidt and soon found the four wheel steer the ideal system to manoeuvre round tight corners, continously sweeping but without damaging the walls and fences or the sides of the Swingo.

Expert Swingo driver Brian Crude