by BRIAN GILES | product manager, Schwarze Industries

Schwarze’s new A4 Storm regenerative air sweeper features a short wheelbase, high maneuverability and a full-size sweeper performance, making it versatile no matter the season. (Photo provided)

Introduced late last year, Schwarze’s new A4 Storm regenerative air sweeper packs all the street sweeper features you would expect on a full-size class 7 chassis sweeper on a smaller, more maneuverable class 5 chassis.

The design of the new Storm model began with a higher dump height debris hopper that allows for easy offloading into roll-offs all the way to 6 feet tall. Th is new, in-cab controlled, 4.5-cubic-yard hopper is available in standard carbon steel or can be upgraded to a high-strength stainless steel that comes with a generous lifetime warranty.

Schwarze also added significantly more hopper intake screen area that provides excellent airflow, even with a full hopper of leaves and litter that normally can clog hopper screens and reduce performance. A full-width screen access roof door allows for unfettered access to both the top and bottom of the new larger screens, making cleaning easy. Small particles are captured in Schwarze’s exclusive centrifugal trumpet separator that automatically empties at every dump cycle and the new hopper retains the optional electric pump for dumping with the auxiliary off.

The A4 Storm has the state-of-the-art Schwarze WhisperWheel blower system that produces as much as 70 percent less noise and uses as much as 20 percent less fuel while providing up to 7 percent more power, and is now driven by a Tier 4 final Yanmar 68 HP diesel engine. Schwarze also added several feature changes that have driven the performance of the A4 sweep to unheralded levels. The A4 Storm’s pickup head was completely redesigned. Schwarze engineers utilized computer models originally designed for large regenerative air series sweepers and scaled them to fit the A4 Storm. The result of this effort has allowed the A4 to perform exactly the same as the larger sweepers but in its smaller footprint and retaining its ability to sweep in reverse.

Multiple improvements were added for easier maintenance, including dual quick connect flanges on both debris hoses, allowing for removal and rotation with no tools. And just like the larger Schwarze regenerative air series sweepers, the hose transitions are bolted on and can be easily removed for repair and replacement.

People say you can never have too much dust control water on a sweeper. Taking that advice, Schwarze developed an optional 68-gallon rear water tank that resides under the sweeper hopper and does not require the removal of any toolboxes; additionally, it does not affect other equipment in any way. With all this available water, the A4 Storm received the latest 60 psi and 5.8 gallons per minute water system design with standard low water in-cab warning and plugged strainer pump shutdown as standard equipment.

The controls on the new A4 Storm have gotten a complete makeover. Schwarze’s industry-exclusive full freedom console mount allows the operator to position the control in a custom ergonomic position regardless of right or left steering position. The console now also features the Schwarze family look with color-coded functional switch grouping. A digital display package features all engine conditions, maintenance reminders, water level and alarm status.

The A4 Storm’s dual rear toolboxes have been made larger and now boast a full 35 square feet of storage. The new toolboxes are also corrosion-resistant composite construction for long life.

Along with all the standard rear vehicular taillights, standard strobes have been added at the rear to enhance rear visibility. Schwarze made a point of keeping the features that customers love. The trailing arm side brooms maintain the availability of the Schwarze exclusive gutter broom extension override and the in-cab controlled broom tilt.

For over 43 years in the street sweeping business, Schwarze Industries has been committed to providing an exceptional level of customer support. Schwarze offers one of the most comprehensive sweeper lines in the sweeping business.

Contact your local Schwarze dealer to set up a sweeper demonstration. To find a local Schwarze dealer near you, visit the dealer locator on our website at www.schwarze.com.