Beaver Bus cashes in with Kärcher wash system
South Leicestershire private bus operator Beaver Bus has acquired an additional revenue stream, as well as improving fleet washing speed and efficiency, thanks to the installation of a Kärcher gantry wash at its premises.
The family-owned company’s fleet includes single and double decker buses ranging from 49 to 85 seats, catering for all aspects of local bus travel, including schools, supermarkets, universities and varied contract work.
The Beaver Bus fleet is managed from a purpose-built workshop, which also features an MOT and service garage and DVSA inspection area and testing facility.
Fleet care is a priority for Beaver Bus, in order to keep vehicles in good working order and ensure they are projecting a positive company image when on the road. As well as ensuring a reliable, high-quality and sustainable wash system for its buses, the team was also interested in the possibility of a versatile wash station that could be used by other fleets.
To provide a comprehensive recommendation, Kärcher visited the Beaver Bus site to assess the vehicle wash area and conduct a full site survey.
The main challenge for a new wash system was the lack of an immediate foul connection and the location of the main storm drain in the route of the wash pad, affecting the ability to recycle the wash water. The team also had to consider an emergency exit door leading from the workshop building directly into the wash area itself.
Kärcher supplied a turnkey package to deliver a workable cleaning system that answered all of Beaver Bus’ requirements. The area was fully excavated to construct a 20m x 6m wash pad, including a rainwater diverter valve between the recycling system and the storm drain.
Fully automated within the TB 46 control system, the valve ensures only rainwater can flow to the storm drain. When the wash is in use, the valve turns and all water is diverted back to the plantroom and stored for the next wash, ensuring sustainability.
With the wash area prepared, Kärcher installed a TB 50 commercial vehicle gantry wash, designed especially for automatic exterior cleaning of large commercial vehicles. The three-brush gantry features a maximum washing height of 5.05 metres and a maximum washing width of 2.90 metres.
The large control panels are said to allow easy selection of individual washing programmes for buses, trucks and bendy buses according to the level of soiling. The gantry also features a remote start option and two photoelectric sensors (fitted as standard) to identify attachments and accessories and guarantee safety.
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o maximise the narrow area available, the gantry wash was installed off-centre and a set of safety switches were fitted to allow for any pedestrians entering the wash area from the emergency exit door.
Since installing the new Kärcher gantry wash system, Beaver Bus has reported a significant increase in the speed and efficiency of its fleet washing.
“The Kärcher gantry wash has dramatically improved our cleaning processes and results,” said Gavin McDonald of Beaver Bus.
“The buses both look and feel cleaner with so much less effort from our team. As an added bonus, the wash system has introduced another revenue stream to the business, as we now generate income from other commercial vehicles purchasing wash programmes.”
He continued: “The water reclaim system is an important feature for us too, as we are always striving the make Beaver Bus a more sustainable business. All in all, Kärcher found the perfect solution to meet all of our cleaning needs and I couldn’t fault them at any point in the process.”
