Industry News

Elgin Sweeper Introduces Megawind Vacuum Truck and Catch Basin Cleaner

New multipurpose vacuum truck and sweeper features exclusive articulated power boom

ELGIN, Ill. (March 4, 2009) – Elgin Sweeper, the leader in environmentally efficient street sweepers, has introduced the Megawind® combination leaf and debris vacuum and catch basin cleaner with an optional street sweeper system. The large, 12-inch leaf and debris hose system features an industry-exclusive articulated power boom with 180-degree rotation that is supported by a high-performance vacuum system and large-capacity debris body.

The versatile machine offers impressive pick-up performance and flexibility to easily handle everything from compacted dirt, gravel, sand and bulky debris, to leaves and other smaller particles found in the street and in catch basins. The Megawind is available on a conventional chassis or a premium Nissan Diesel UD3300 chassis, with right-hand steering or optional dualized steering.
“Now more than ever, our municipal and contractor customers are being challenged to do more with less, without compromising on results,” said Brian Giles, sweeper products manager at Elgin Sweeper. “From picking up leaves and sweeping to keep streets clean and prevent basin loading, to cleaning basins and inserts to remove debris before it moves down the system, the new Megawind multipurpose vacuum truck and catch basin cleaner, with an optional sweep system, delivers all the versatility, power and performance needed to meet a community’s storm water needs.”

Articulated boom: At the heart of the combination vacuum truck and catch basin cleaner is a patent-pending articulated boom design that controls the vacuum hose. This revolutionary boom system allows a full, 180 degrees of boom travel and more than 200 degrees of hose reach while allowing fingertip hose positioning anywhere in a 10-foot radius. The unique design allows the vacuum hose to fold inward on itself, within the rear profile of the sweeper, during transportation, dumping or while not in use. Operators will appreciate the increased freedom of movement not found on competitive models. “Other machines limit the productive work area to the outer perimeter set by the radius of the vacuum hose,” Giles said. “The hydraulically articulated vacuum hose boom on the Megawind can be moved in/out, up/down and left/right, for virtually infinite adjustments.”
The vacuum hose on the Megawind has a maximum lift height of nearly 14 feet when the boom is completely unfolded. Featuring a 12-inch diameter, the standard heavy-duty flex hose is equipped with a manual rear-gate valve that allows the operator to cut off airflow to the hose and retain debris in the hopper during transport – all without the use of a clamp-on blanking plate. Pendant controls include throttle up/down, shoulder in/out, elbow in/out, lift up/down and engine throttle control. For added operator convenience, a wireless remote control is also available.

The Megawind’s high-performance vacuum system features a powerful fan with a rating of 30,000 CFM of airflow that easily removes the toughest debris from catch basins.

Optional street sweeper system: The optional street sweeper system features ergonomic controls and Elgin Sweeper’s exclusive Memory Sweep®, which allows the operator to resume all previous sweeper settings with one-touch control. “Memory Sweep incorporates a multi-screen display that details engine and broom hours, water level, system diagnostics and broom tilt angle,” Giles said.

The machine is available with debris hopper capacities from 10 to 15 cubic yards. The hopper is constructed of 10-gauge steel walls and a ¼-inch (6.35 mm) thick floor with drop-down screens for quick clean-up. To maximize the life, durability and functionality of the hopper, an optional LifeLiner® hopper liner and finish system is available. A 50-degree tilt angle ensures efficient dumping.

“The new Megawind vacuum truck and catch basin cleaner is yet another example of Elgin Sweeper’s commitment to providing municipalities and sweeper contractors with environmental solutions that reduce storm water and air pollution,” Giles said.

Call Owen Equipment for a full brochure or visit Elgin's Web Site; or, better yet, come to CAED in July to see the new Megawind first hand!