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Buyers guide: Vehicle washing and chassis cleaning equipment

AIRFLOW INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING LTD, Brougham, near Penrith, Cumbria.

A member of the Nixon group of companies, Airflow International produces a range of three high-pressure cold water chassis cleaners. While the machines are of the same basic pattern modifications allow varying outputs and pressures on each model ranging from 6,895 to 8,274kN/sqm (1,000 to 1,200 psi) and flow rates from 13.6 to 27.2 litres (3 to 6 gallons per minute).

They are supplied with 2.4m (8ft) of heavy-duty electric cable, 6.1 m (20ft) of suction and 6.1m of high-pressure delivery hose, a filter and a 1.8m (6ft) hand lance and hardened stainless steel nozzle.

A built-in safeguard to protect both operator and machine, this is a dualpurpose spring-loaded adjustable pressure relief valve that recirculates water from the outlet to the inlet side of the pump if any blockage arise. Working pressure and flow capacity can also be adjusted by the valve to suit each individual wash requirement.

The washers are powered by 2hp, 5 hp and 7.5 hp electric motors.

Units in the range of vehicle washing and cleaning plant manufactured by this company can be used individually or, for mixed fleet operators, in con

junction with each other to form a comprehensive unit capable of dealing with minivans through to heavy goods vehicles, including tankers, and doubledeck buses.

The standard drive-through crushtype washer produced by Al!met Oliver Douglas is operated automatically and is capable of washing and rinsing vehicles up to 4.6m (15ft) high and from 1.5m (5ft) to 2.5m (Sit 2in) wide. The machine has been designed on the unit construction principle, so that units may be purchased according to requirements and added to the machine at a later date.

Also based on the drive-through principle is the automatic brushless washing plant. Extremely versatile, it is capable of cleaning many different types of commercial vehicles, including, tankers, roadsweepers, refuse collectors, gully emptiers, buses, boxvans and container vehicles. Every, recess and angled section of the vehicle's surface is reached, first with a chemical solution and followed by a clean water rinse. The process, which takes only two minutes, removes mud, road dust, corrosive salts, etc.

A drive-over chassis washing unit is also produced by the company. The vehicle to be cleaned is driven slowly over a heavy-duty grid beneath which revolving jet arms are situated. Jets of clean water at 1,725-2,070kN/sqm can clean chassis in about one minute. The unit is driven by a 10hp totally enclosed electric motor and is easily accessible for routine maintenance. From Applied Chemicals comes a series of hot and cold water mobile high-pressure chassis cleaners. The latest addition to the range is the Wizard Mk III electrically operated cold-pressure washer. With a water consumption of 13.2 litres per minute (2.9 gpm) the unit has a 277-litre (61 gal) tank and operates up to 5,516kN/ sqm (800psi). The water circuit includes unloader valve, bleed valve, pulsation damper and water drain valve, and detergent control which enables detergents to be changed while the machine is still running.

The Wizard Mk III is supplied with approximately 12.2m (40ft) of highpressure hose with a quick release couplings and trigger-operated gun with a 1.2m (4ft) lightweight lance and fan tip. Dimensions are 91.44cm (36in) highx165.1cm (65 in)x 66cm (26in) wide with a laden weight of 406.4kg (8 cwt).

Other portable high-pressure cleaners manufactured by Applied Chemicals are the Wizard Mk IV, a 3,448kN/sqm (500 psi) electrically operated coldpressure cleaner, and the Concorde Mk III, a hot or cold oil-fired highpressure washer.

To be used with these machines, Applied Chemicals also produces a variety of chemicals and cleaning solvents. This company has for many years specialized in the cleaning and inspection problems of the aircraft industry and has drawn on this experience to build a range of products for servicing road vehicles, chassis and underbonnet cleaning, engine overhaul and bodywork cleaning.

The company's Ardros high-pressure washing unit combines the heat and energy power of hot water under pressure with the chemical action of Ardrbx HP cleaner liquid, which is fully biodegradable.

For operation the unit requires mains water supply and 13amp socket to power the Crompton-Parkinson motor which gives 1.5hp at 5,516kN/sqm (800rprin). It produces a pressure of 4,826kN/sq m (700psi) at the nozzle.

A range of pressurized portable spray units for spraying or foam application of paint removers, degreasants, chemical brighteners, emulsion cleaners and foam cleaners is also offered.

A. V. W. makes a range of gantry washing machines for commercial vehicles. The Monarch is made in sizes up to 4.5m (15ft) high. It is a traversing type machine with horizontal and vertical brushes. The horizontal brush is controlled by a sensing device which prevents damage to projections such as trailer-mounted refrigeration units.

The company claims that the entire cleaning cycle in which the brushes make a double pass takes only about six minutes.

Prices range from £5,250 to £6,000.

The Gantri, another version of the Monarch, has been designed specially for cleaning buses and tractive units; prices for this unit range from £6,150 to £6,550.

The Gantri Twin uses two traversing arches and is designed with the bus operator in mind. A washing time of two minutes is claimed for a doubledecker and both front and rear are washed at the same time, including the recess above the engine compartments on rear-engined buses.

This machine has a potential throughput of 30 double-deck buses or 35 single-deck buses per hour, or 80 singledeck or double-deck buses per hour using side brushes only.

The company also builds an underchassis wash unit which may be used in conjunction with any of the above or as a separate installation, and costs £745.

A water filtration and reclamation system is available and can be used with any of the machines currently manufactured by A.V.W. Price depends on specification and whether installation is above or below ground level.

By increasing the motor power from 3/4 to 1 hp and fitting a larger pump, Columbus Dixon has increased the flow output of its MIMK2 mobile high-pressure vehicle washer.

It has a glassfibre body encasing the header water tank and either one or two 5-litre (1.1 gal) chemical containers, which can hold detergents, liquid, waxes, solvents, disinfectants and even deodorants. A chemical metering device automatically keeps the dilution at the required strength.

The MIMK2, which has a working pressure of 3,447kN/sqm (500psi) at 9 litres per minute (2gpm), is fitted with a lever operated chemical shut-off system and an unloader valve for pump protection.

The unit's 9.1m (30ft) delivery hose is fitted with a shut-off device which functions automatically on release, and incorporates a "snap-on" coupling for taking the cleaning tool. This can be a 610 mm (24 in) trigger lance with turret nozzle providing four different spray patterns, or a 1.8m (6ft) or 0.9m (3ft) stainless steel wand with brush for dirt removal. This company makes the Lightning range of portable washing machines.

The Lightning Junior, a cold water washer, is powered by a twin-piston pump and will deliver a pressure of 3448kN/sqm (500psi), at a rate of 9 litres per minute (2 gpm).

Another version of this machine, the Lightning de luxe, is a trolly-mounted unit with built-in water tank and detergent container with metering device.

The Lightning Senior delivers 13.6 litres per minute (3gpm) at 5861kN/ sqm (850psi). It has water and detergent tank and is trolley-mounted. .The Lightning 500 Mk 11 is an improved version of an already established unit which will deliver hot or cold water at up to 3448kN/sqm (500 psi). The model 800 delivers hot or cold water at 13.6Ipm (3gpm) at up to 5516kN/sq m (800 psi).

The latest addition to the range is the Lightning 900 which combines hot and cold water, washing and steam cleaning.

The machine will deliver 13.6Ipm (3 gpm) of hot or cold water at up to 6206kN/sq m (900psi). Working pressure is controlled by a hand valve, and can be set at any desired rate between 2069kN/sqm (300 psi) and maximum. As pressure decreases, water temperature rises to provide saturated steam.

Lightning prices start at about £120 for the Junior model and rise to £595 for the new Lightning 900.

Given the basic requirements of steam at 34kN/sqm (5psi) and upwards and cold water, there is a CP-Sellers Hydraulic Jet Cleaner capable of dealing with many of the cleaning problems the goods or psv fleet operator is likely to encounter.

The cleaners range from 909 litres ph (200gph) with steam input at 34 to 1034kN/sq m (5 to 150 psi) and can propel. very hot water at 193km/h (120 mph) giving an effective cleaning range of up to 9.1m (30ft) from the nozzle. A detergent intake valve is standard on all models and a wide .range of inter-changeable nozzles is also available.

Another cleaning head manufactured by CP Equipment is the Fury, a small, lightweight piece of equipment specially designed for internal tanker cleaning operation. Only 279 mm (11 in) long, the unit is able to pass through a 140mm (51/2 in) diameter hole and, as it weighs only 1.8kg (41b) many of the problems usually associated with the installation and removal of interior tank cleaners are simplified. Services required for use are approximately 483 to 689kN/sqm (70 to 100 psi) with a flow rate of 5455 to 12,501 litres per minute (1200 to 2750 gph).

CWC's units apply a chemical solution to the exterior surfaces and the exposed chassis areas of vehicles. This softens dirt and grime ready for washing off with large volumes of high-pressure cold water. Both roll-over and drive-through models are produced which can handle any size, shape or length of vehicle.

The drive-through unit comprises two arches, power pack and floor switches. The vehicle passes through the first, arch and receives a chemical spray at 1,379kN/sqm (200psi). After one minute the vehicle is then driven through the second high-pressure rinse arch.

The roll-over system consists of a moving arch, supported from an overhead track, which moves once over the vehicle spraying on the chemical and then returns to flush off with high-pressure rinse water.

Both units feature a power pack unit, which is factory pre-wired and preplumbed, and contains all the pumps and electric controls needed for operation. The water tank and chemical tank are protected from frost by a thermostatically controlled heating unit and the totally enclosed unit can be installed outdoors.

The chemical pump can be fitted with additional suction lines to handle aluminium brighteners, solvents, disinfectants and detergents. Both units are suitable for indoor operation if required. Manufactured by Esquire Kleindienst is the Fleetmatic Type 6-1167 automatic commercial vehicle washing machine — a static installation, for indoor or outdoor use and available as a one or two-brush model.

On the single-brush unit the rotating brush moves across the front of the vehicle. The gantry then guides the brush along the vehicle's side. On reaching the rear of the vehicle, the gantry stops and the brush moves across to wash the back area. On the gantry's return run, the opposite side of the vehicle is washed.

During the complete wash programme, the vehicle and the brush are sprayed with a water and shampoo mixture. Both models can accommodate vehicles up to a height of 4 m (13ft).

Flexian makes a range of 14 cleaners with pressure outputs from 5,171 to 13,790kN/sqm (750-2,000psi) and designed to be used by unskilled labour.

All these cleaners incorporate the company's patented diaphram pump which can run dry without damage and is self-priming with a lift of two metres.

The company recommends its models FH 4C and FH 4DDC — with outputs of 10,342 to 12,066kN/sq m (1,500 psi and 1,750 psi) respectively — to transport operators.

The Flexian 4C is electrically driven by a three-phase electric motor and the 4DDC by a Petters AC1 diesel engine; both machines have a flow rate of 18.20pm (4 gpm). GRUNDFOS PUMPS LTD, Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

Grundfos high-pressure vehicle washing machines work with a pressure from around 977 to 2069kN/sq m (142 to 300 psi) and are manufactured for cold as well as hot-water delivery.

The three vertical "in-place" pillar units can be used with various equipment, including washer gun and pressure hose.

For special purposes, Grundfos vehicle washing machines can be supplied for hot water use up to 100°C (212°F).

The Hexagon vehicle washing system is designed to clean all external vehicle parts including the chassis and any irregularly shaped surface.

Manufactured in Belgium, this brushless washing system is built and installed to suit individual fleet require ments. It can be mounted externally or under cover and will accommodate any type of vehicle; from small vans up to 18-metre (59ft) truck-trailer combinations.

The . cleaning spray is delivered from an elevated frame, which descends around the vehicle and a sensor is incorporated which will return the frame to its original height if the vehicle is out of alignment.

If the vehicle has been properly positioned and the frame lowered, the frame will then ascend spraying a chemical mixture to destroy the molecular adhesion of dirt to the vehicle. When the frame reaches the top of the vehicle it will stop for 60 seconds to allow the chemicals to take effect. After this the frame descends to chassis level again before 200 water jets are activated on the second ascent.

When not in use the frame is raised so allowing vehicles to be parked or worked on in the wash bay area.

The Hexagon is available in three models ranging from 13 to 19.5 metres (42 ft Sin to 64ft) maximum length of installation. Kina produces one of the widest range of pressure washers and jetting systems in the world, with pressures ranging from 344kN/sqm (500 psi) up to 103,425kN/sqm (15,000 psi).

The company recommends one of its range of hot water machines for vehicle bodywork.

For chassis cleaning cold water can be used and Kina recommends a machine from the K-400 or BW-1A range depending on the size of the vehicles in the operator's fleet.

The 400 series comprises three models all supplying cold water at 10,343kN/sq m (1,500 psi), 13,790kN/sq m (2,000 psi) and 17,238kN/sq m (2,500 psi).

The BW range has the heaviest models, delivering pressures of 10,343kN/sq m (15,00 psi) • and 103,425kN/sq m (15,000 psi). The washers are trailer mounted and have water tanks. Two, four or six-cylinder diesel engines or electric motors can be supplied as power units.

The company has just announced the introduction of two new washers, the Kina Jet cold water range, and the Kina Jet H range of hot water machines. Both have moulded grp cabinets, push-button starting and almost instant water heating.

Detergents may be added to the highpressure water outlet for either cold or hot water cleaning.

Two portable cleaning appliances are marketed by Kismet; a steam cleaner — the Minimaster — and a high-pressure hot or cold water washer — the KWE 1500.

The Minimaster produces saturated steam or hot water. The detergent supply is metered by a needle valve into the water supply before being heated in the coil, and this, says Kismet, ensures maximum cleaning power. It uses 181.8 to 204.6 litres per hour (40 to 45 gph) of water for steam cleaning and approximately 5 litresph (110 ,gph) of hot water for hot water washing at 90°C (194°F). Steam pressure is 586kN/sqm (85 psi) and hot water 241 kN/sqm (35 psi). Accessories include 6.1 m (20ft) of gun fitted hose supplied The KWE 1500 high-pressure washer produces a jet of hot or cold water and can be used in conjunction with detergents. It is suitable for vehicles and chassis cleaning, de-greasing and dewaxing.

Pressures range from between 2517 kN/sqm to 2758kN/sqm (365 to 400 psi), with temperatures up to 104°C (194°F). The unit is supplied with 9.1m (30ft) of high-pressure hose rated up to 68,950kN/sqm (10,000 psi), a wash gun and de-waxing nozzles.

Although unpretentious, the Royalette 7 high-pressure portable vehicle washer is said by the manufacturers to have a performance at 0.6 to 0.9 m (2ft to 3ft) far greater than many machines operating at higher pressures.

Claiming 4137kN/sqm (600 psi) at 27.3Ipm (6 gpm) this piece of equipment is one of the relatively few pressure .washers on the market incorporating a British-made pump. It is claimed that valves can be removed for cleaning and glands replaced within a few minutes.

The unit is supplied ready for use and the standard 7.6m (25ft) delivery hose can be extended to suit individual requirements. A washing gun attachment is adjustabia to give a pencil jet or for a mist .— an automatic relief valve enables the gun to be closed while under pressure — or a lance gun can be supplied as an alternative. The Royalette 7 has a maximum pump speed of 500 rpm and will pump water up to a temperature of 71°C (160°F). Powered by either electric, petrol or diesel motors, units start at around £300.

Laycock Engineering, a member of the GKN Group of companies manufactures the Merlin Mk II vehicle washer, a small self-contained unit electrically powered to produce water at a pressure of 2,5136kN/sqrn (375 psi) up to a maximum of 27.2 litres (6 gallons) per minute.

Also available is the mobile vehicle washer mounted on a small two wheeled trolly; this unit combines the performance of the Merlin Mk II with mobility and costs from £316. Prices for the Merlin Mk II range from £376 up to £419 depending on specification.

For light jobs, Lister Equipment manufactures a water mains connected detergent mixer/dispenser for manual operation. Two hose brushes designed for use washing commercial vehicles and coaches are also manufactured, along with a • cutter jet which creates foam for mud removal.

Mobile Transport Services have restyled their "Jetstream" mobile high-pressure waterjet cleaner, and the range now includes six models.

The restyled machine is available with or without a water heater unit, and with operating pressure of sixhundred, 5516kN/sqm (800 psi) or 6895 kN/sq m (1,000 psi). The top model in the range has an output of (2.6 gal) of hot or cold water, with or without detergent, and is powered by a 240V single-phase 2hp heavy-duty electric motor.

Safety features common to all models include warning lights for electrical failure, safety valves, automatic heater cut-out, and water-resistant electrical equipment.

Current prices range from £355 for the 4137kN/sq m (600 psi), cold-water version to £695 for the 6895kN/sqm (1,000 psi) model with water-heater (all prices plus VAT). Under the trade name Vestin, Modern Devices produces a range of three hot water power washers, two steam chassis cleaners and a cold water power washer.

The Vestin hot water washers can deliver water up to 93.3°C (200°F) with pressures of 6895, 4137 and 3447kN/ sqm (1,000, 600 and 500 psi) respectively.

Two steam power cleaners, the NFG 100 and the NFG 1030, both produce 689kN/sqm (100 psi) at 3181pm and 545.5Ipm (70gph and 120gph) respectively.

The CWE cold water washer is available in either a petrol or diesel-engined form and, like all the Modern Device units, is fully mobile and includes detergent control and built-in water, soap and fuel tanks.

Especilly suitable for site vehicles or those engaged on other arduous work is the range of mobile washers from William Moseley.

Easily installed, they require only a pit over which to be supported. It may be either sunk to the level of the surrounding ground if permanent fixture is wanted, or as a ramp built up at both ends if required as a temporary site fixture. The only other requirement is a water supply.

The five models are a twin-axle washer, a single-axle washer, a powerdriven single-unit washer, a powerdriven twin unit which washes and a combined twin-axle and powered washer. This company is a subsidiary of a Finnish manufacturer and markets the parent company's range of Finnmatic washing equipMent in the UK.

The company's range includes the Finnmatic Strong, a heavy-duty model three-arch-type designed for washing large commercial vehicles and trailers. It has two side brushes and a roof brush, mounted in a moving gantry. Several extra are availble and include chassis washer/drier, pre-rinse and after-rinse arches, de-greasing arch, etc, all of which can be provided to allow the customer to tailor the machine to his specific needs.

The Steamline machine, a four-brush washer, is said to wash a doubledecker bus completely in one minute.

Rateko offers a 24-hour service and a contract maintenance scheme.

This company markets a wide range of cleaning apparatus made by Euromekan A. B. of Sweden, part of the multinational Electrolux Group.

In addition to portable pressure washers, it also makes gantry equipment of drive-through and automatic type and makes available to customers a range of alkaline, acid and petroleumbased chemicals for use with the machi nes.

A variety of machines are available to suit individual needs — standard models in the portable units range can be powered either by electricity, compressed air, or petrol engines, can carry detergents, and are equipped with hoses and lances as standard equipment.

The company also makes a portable pump, which can be added to most units in the range, designed for lowpressure chemical application for cleaning engines, etc.

The company's gantry washer range starts with the Euroclean 1502, a semiautomatic washing arch. A brushless unit, it is mounted on rails and is controlled from a control cubicle mounted on the arch, it has a chassis rinse facility.

A new unit the 2502B model, has a spray boom which rotates through 360° and can precisely clean irregular surfaces. The 25029 has two independently operating brushes and fixed jets for lateral cleaning together with a wheel and chassis wash.

The 2503 model is a three-arch. unit, fully automatic and designed for commercial and passenger vehicles. It is a drive-through installation using water and detergent under pressure. The 1503 unit is basically similar, but is a two-arch machine; both machines have a cycle time of three minutes.

Central cleaning systems are available designed for permanent installation indoors. Each of these systems is based on a continuous in-built pipe with an unlimited number of socket outlets to which individual operators connect their high pressure hoses and spray wands.

Ukotaco is agent in Britain for the range of steam chassis cleaners and high-pressure vehicle washers built by the American organization, ElectroMagic. The main machines availble on the UK market are the Model 100 steam cleaner, priced at £390, the Model 2500 hot-pressure washer, priced £486, and the Model 660 hotpressure washer, priced at £670.

These three models are all portable and are backed up by an established spares and maintenance service.

One of the first manufacturers of brushless commercial vehicle washing equipment, Ultrasonic Machines now have about 750 installations throughout the world.

The system uses an elevator suspended from a roof which descends round a stationary vehicle and washes it by means of angled jets on all four sides. There are two chemical applications and then a water rinse, the whole operation taking about four minutes. Pressure at the jets is only 1,034kN/ sqm (150psi). The water must, however, be soft, which means a water softener must be used in most areas.

A driver in his cab can operate the. system, or it can be operated by a permanent operator from a spray-proof. booth. To faciliate the washing of vehicles of varying length, there is . either a moveable bar that can be manually adjusted, or a series of crossjets that can be used.

Ultrasonic Machines also manufacture an under-chassis washing system which can be used in conjunction with the brushless washing system. Warwick's current range of hot or cold pressure washers includes 16 standard models, most of which offer alternative power options; being driven by either electric motor, petrol or diesel engines. Outputs vary from 545.5Ipm at 3447 kN/sqm (120gph at 500psi) to 818Ipm at 13790kN/sq m (180 gph at 2,000 psi).

The latest hot water models from the company have a variable pressure control for raising temperature to saturated steam for special de-greasing work. All machines have a 22.71itre (5gal) capacity detergent tank with an adjustable metering device which allows accurate metering of chemicals up to a 2-1 ratio.

Wickham specializes in commercial vehicle cleaning equipment and manufactures units ranging from automatic gantry washers to mobile high-pressure cleaners.

A new machine developed for this market is the Wickham Spartan, which consists of a rail-mounted travelling gantry, installed on a base with adequate drainage facilities. Full-depth rotating brushes, mounted on arms, adjust automatically to vehicle width to clean sides and ends. Multiple jets spray water/detergent shampoo over the vehicle as the gantry passes along its length, and this is automatically changed to clear water rinse on the return pass.

This unit is supplied for full automatic operation or with manual overiding controls. Manual control provides precise adjustment of brushes, which can be swung out of action to permit cleaning by jet of irregularly shaped vehicles, such as tankers, on which brush cleaning is not practicable. Installation can be inside or outdoors.

Another recent introduction is the Hurricane automatic drive-through underbody washer, designed to keep commercial vehicles to DoE test standards, Suitable for light vans, the Wickham Lightning is a completely automatic coin or switch operated unit capable of washing vehicles up to 2.1m (6ft 9in) high and 2m (6ft 6in) wide. Independent control of each side brush obviates the necessity for accurate centering of vehicles. Two-direction movement means that the brushes cover the vehicle both when washing with detergent and when rinsing.

An extensive range of mobile highpressure hot or cold water washers, including the Cascade, Cyclone, Typhoon and Deluge, is also marketed by Wickham, along with Jet Wash, a This company has recently introduced a new range of vehicle washing machines.

The Double-pass Fleetwasher is a three-brush unit made in six different versions with washing heights of 2.6m (81/2ft), 3.2m (101/2ft), 3,5m (111/2ft), 4.1m (131/2ft) and 4,4m (141/2ft). It will wash all shapes and sizes from a minivan to a double-deck bus, and optional extras include a "back-track" device which washes around refrigerator motor units, protruding ladders, etc, and an "artic jumper" which carries the upper brush over the gap between tractive unit cab and trailer headboard.

The Single-pass Fleetwasher is one of the new models, available in the same heights as outlined above, but making only a single pass over a vehicle, in either direction; a static rinse arch is fitted at the end of the wash. It is designed to halve cleaning time.

Another newcomer is the Major WrapAround High-volume Drive-Thru, avail•. able in two, three, four and five-brush versions and heights of 3.2m (101/2ft) and 4.4m (141/2ft). It can wash a 6.1m (20ft) van in under a minute. A second version, the Compact, occupies only half the floor area.

Two chassis cleaners are the Wilcomatic-Jaco and the Jetstream, both new to this company. The first is a coldwater cleaner operating at 4137kN/sqm (600psi) which can be set to cleaning cycles of from 10 and 30 minutes. A travelling tractor runs on rails beneath the vehicle, and washes the whole chassis. The Jetstream is another automatic type but has jets set into the concrete of the wash area and uses water and detergent at 522kN/sqm (80psi); it rinses through separate jets at 1241 kN/sqm (180 psi).