Rapidly increasing urban populations are placing increasing pressure on the sustainability of city environments. This has meant that broom, picker and refuse pushcarts have given way to more compact, electrically-operated, zero-emission cleaning equipment.

Goscor Cleaning Equipment (GCE) of Johannesburg is introducing the latest cleaning equipment technology into the Southern African market with its launch of the GM1ze from Green Machines International GmbH. “This compact sweeper not only saves time thanks to its powerful battery, but is also easy to operate, and enhances hygiene, safety, and environmental awareness,” GCE General Manager, Greg Venter comments.

The latter is particularly important in an urban context, with towns and cities struggling with respirable dust and exhaust emission limits, all in an effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. “The GM1ze is the latest ‘green’ e-sweeper, representing the best of German engineering excellence,” Venter highlights.

The special narrow design (780 mm wide, 1 480 mm long and 1 760 mm high) means that the GM1ze is ideal for use in confined spaces. Double soundproofing is standard, with an acoustic level approaching that of absolute silence.

It uses 24 V, 36 V or 48 V lead acid batteries, giving it an eight- to 16-hour operating window, depending on the application. The machine is powered by an 0.85 kW motor (electric axle with permanent magnet DC motor and integrated parking brake), and produces 1.5 kW of suction power (brushless DC). It has an 18 m2 dust filter, and a suction pressure of ≥25 mbar.

The GM1ze’s water system consists of an electric water pump and an intermittent water spray nozzle, with a 10 litre water tank. The mounted 125-mm-diameter suction pipe features an anti-clogging grid to prevent blockage by debris such as plastic bags, paper, and leaves. Made from lightweight fiberglass, this pipe weighs less than 1.5 kg.

Additional features include puncture-proof tyres and shielded ball bearings, a front steering wheel, an ambidextrous control arm for right- and left-handed operators, together with an automatic dead man position, a battery charge level gauge, and a timer for the suction and traction motor. An automatic parking brake facilitates parking, even on steep slopes, while there is an emergency stop switch on the dashboard for enhanced safety. The chassis is a durable machine-welded structure with an electrostatic coating.
Green Machines GmbH is part of the long list of leading international brands distributed by GCE, which includes well-known names such as Tennant, Ghibli, Maer, Delfin, Elgin, Macro, and High Point. “It is important for us to be associated only with the top brands, as reliability and performance are key to the total cleaning solutions we offer our customers,” Venter elaborates.

“We strive to not only introduce the latest technology into the market, of which the GM1ze is the latest example, but also to remain at the leading edge of international cleaning trends. In this regard, the zero emission and low noise features of the Green Machine equipment will definitely set a new benchmark in the Southern African cleaning industry,” Venter concludes.