The Management Team at Drainways Contracting have spent the last half century delivering civil water, drainage and earthworks projects. With a lifetime of experience and a crew that knows how to really put their tools to the test, they can tell us exactly how well the SweepMaster performs. Or not, because they’re the honest type that would tell us if it didn’t work too!
“We started using the SweepMaster because clients were requesting sites to be kept swept for every weekend. It made a good impression so we kept it up from there. It’s good for client satisfaction, it’s good for public image, and it makes it worth it for everyone,” says Jaydon from Drainways.
“We use the SweepMaster mostly for sweeping the roads around the sites and work that we do. We’re bringing bits of shingle and dirt and debris onto the road so we’ll give the roads and driveway a good sweep every week to keep them clear. Mostly it’s just [about] keeping the roads clean and safe.”
The secret to keeping the roads clean and safe is the SweepMaster built-in dust suppression system. It means operators can clean up without generating more dust…which can generate complaints. For Jayden and his crew – it’s a must-have:
“The dust suppression system is good – I wouldn’t do it without it. Often we’re working in situations where the material or shingle we’re sweeping is dry. It’s been out in the sun and the wind all day or all week so it needs that dust suppression. Sometimes it needs two runs to make sure we’ve got the dust under control before we start sweeping, but it’s very good and I wouldn’t do it without it.”
“The dust suppression system is good – I wouldn’t do it without it.” – Jaydon Currie – Drainways Contracting
Using a machine that gets the right results is good. But what makes a machine great is if the operators actually want to use it. Otherwise, corners are cut and the dust flies – quite literally. So for the crew at Drainways to do what’s needed, they have to have the tools they want. This is where the comfortable cab and ease-of-use comes into play.
“The operator’s cab is very good, it’s comfortable, it’s air conditioned, it’s got very good visibility. It’s a good spacious cab and with the adjustments of the steering wheel you can get a very comfortable position. It’s also very easy to operate. You’ve got the broom motor activation switch that you just flick forward. You’ve got the lever that you push on to float and it just drops [the broom] to the ground. And you’ve got the forward and reverse pedals that make the tractor go back and forward. It’s extremely easy.” explains Jaydon.
“The operator’s cab is very good, it’s comfortable, it’s air conditioned, it’s got very good visibility.” – Jaydon Currie – Drainways Contracting
So if the SweepMaster has the right level of performance and right level of comfort – what else is needed to make it right for the job? We think this is where longevity comes into it. A machine can work and be comfortable – but it has to make financial sense from a daily running perspective. This is why we engineered the brush saving feature.
“With the machine on float mode [the broom] follows the undulations of the ground. That stops the brushes pushing too hard into the ground and wearing them out too fast which obviously allows for less maintenance and less brush changes and it helps all round efficiency.” says Jaydon.
So – is there anything else that makes the SweepMaster the right machine for the job? Actually, there is. For operators working on multiple sites like Drainways, any sweeper has to be easy to transport from site to site. Which it is, as Jaydon confirms:
“It’s easy to transport around. As far as loading and unloading and all that kind of stuff it’s very very easy. Master Machinery has made it easy to do that by shortening the strops so you don’t have to tie them up at the end. They’re always there, they’re always on the trailer. Also, the ramps are easy, it’s a very very good system.”
So that’s it then, really. The SweepMaster has the right functionality, the right levels of comfort, the right features, and the right levels of transportability. This must make it the right machine for the job – right?
“I’d recommend the SweepMaster. It’s a very good machine. It sweeps the mess up so well. It’ll clean up the last little fragments and keep your site tidy and presentable. It’s just right for us.”
Right on, Jaydon. Right on.
And moving on – if you want to know more about the SweepMaster, then Jonty is ready to help. You can email Jonty at jonty@mastermachinery.co.nz or call him on 021 537 460.
