The new boss since the turn of the year of market leading Johnston Sweepers,
Dan Wright, brings a wealth of experience in industrial management to the MD’s
post at Johnston Engineering.
A major customer fitting that bill is the Go Plant Group which has placed a
record order for 70 Johnston 600 Series truck-mounted sweepers, in a deal worth
in excess of £5 million.
This ranks as the largest for Johnston since the MOD bought 55 RS 8000 runway
sweepers in 2000 and brings the total number of Johnston machines ordered by
the Go Plant Group this year alone to 100. The 600 Series sweepers for Go Plant
will be supplied on DAF chassis with production scheduled to begin next month
(August) at the Johnston Sweepers’ plant in Dorking.
One of the Go Plant fleet was featured on the sweeper manufacturer’s stand
at the IWM 2002 Exhibition at Torbay, where Johnston presented its “Complete
Sweeping Solution”.
The UK based manufacturer has based its success in the past on the 600 Series,
recognised internationally as the leader in the truck-mounted sweeper market
but over recent years has broadened its product range substantially through
a series of acquisitions and design innovations. The company now lays claim
to produce the most comprehensive range of outdoor sweeping machines in the
industry, from pedestrian sweepers and litter collectors through to specialist
heavy duty machines.
Innovation on show
The IWM event was the platform for Johnston Sweepers to launch its new 2003
model 5000 Series 4m3 mid-sized sweeper. The 7.5 tonne machine has undergone
a technical makeover for 2003 to improve performance, driver comfort and ease
of operation.
Central to the design enhancements is the introduction of the six-cylinder 100kW
turbocharged EURO 3 engine, engineered to provide high performance and reliability
with low emissions. A four cylinder version of the same engine was introduced
to the Johnston Compact in 1998. As with the Johnston Compact, the new Linde
transmission pump and motor are managed by a simple new Jet controller, which
gives a smooth “automatic” feel to the drive and increases finesse
of control. The device also enables seamless transfer between transit and work
modes.
Among the newly engineered features, Johnston points out, are a simplified
hydraulic system, increasing reliability and serviceability, and a new electronic
sweeper control system with built-in self diagnostics, allowing rapid identification
of servicing needs.
The steering column and power steering box have also been redesigned, giving
a far lighter steering feel than on previous models. All round disc brakes have
been introduced and remote operation of the hopper, rear door and high dump
frame, by means of a pendant control, also figure among the innovations.
The 1,650mm width of the 5000 Series eases access to confined areas, offering
obvious advantages for inner city use. The high dump option allows load discharge
at 1,800mm. Road speed is 80kmph maximising range.
Bagless option for Madvac
At the smaller end of its range Johnston Sweepers introduced new options for
the Madvac PS 300 pedestrian sweeper. The first is a new high side dump system
which raises the litter basket at the touch of a button, and which incorporates
a completely bagless sweeping operation.
The litter basket is lifted by means of a hydraulic scissor lift mechanism,
operated from a switch on the control panel. Once fully raised, the basket can
be tilted over to enable side dump into a refuse sack. As part of the new design
the basket itself has been completely re-engineered to allow a bagless collection
system, which reduces running costs significantly.
© Faversham House Ltd 2023 edie news articles may be copied or forwarded for individual use only. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent.
Please login or Register to leave a comment.