BEACH CLEANER FAQ: ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How Fast Can a Tractor-Towed Beach Cleaner Work?
As with most of the answers about beach cleaners, this depends on the beach conditions and method of cleaning. In dry, fine sand, a mechanical raking beach cleaner can typically clean up to 15 mph (if you're brave enough!), whereas sifters ideally operate between 5 and 10 mph. 15mph is possible in perfect sand conditions. In wet sand, both machines travel considerably slower, as to not pick up too much sand with the debris. However, mechanical raking machines will be considerably faster, as sifters generally need to crawl when operating in wet sand to make sure the dense sand has time to break apart and fall through the screen.
How Deep Can a Beach Cleaner Penetrate and Clean?
In dry sand, mechanical raking beach cleaners clean down to 6". The best sifting machines can typically get down to 8-10". However, the machine and tractor must travel extremely slowly (<1mph) to clean this deep, because the screen needs more time to process the vast quantity of sand. Additionally the towing tractor must be very powerful to keep from getting stuck.
Like most beach cleaning questions, The depth of cleaning also depends greatly upon the beach conditions. In general sifting machines can dig deeper in dry sand, while a mechanical rake can clean deeper in damp tide line sand, where most debris typically lurks.
Like most beach cleaning questions, The depth of cleaning also depends greatly upon the beach conditions. In general sifting machines can dig deeper in dry sand, while a mechanical rake can clean deeper in damp tide line sand, where most debris typically lurks.
How much does a Beach Cleaner Cost?
Beach cleaners' costs vary greatly depending on their size and mode of propulsion. Self-propelled machines can cost anywhere up to $90,000, while tractor-towed beach cleaners can cost as little as $10,000. Small walk-behind units hover between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on if its controls are hydraulic or manual. One great benefit of tractor-towed machines is that you get a tractor in the package for less than a self-propelled machine. This tractor can be used for any range of functions, in addition to beach cleaning.
You should also consider the cost of maintaining a machine. Check out our beach cleaner maintenance and cost blog post for more information.
Due to bidding processes, dealer networks, factory-direct discounts, and more, major beach cleaner manufacturers do not include pricing on their websites. You need to contact the individual companies to learn more. Often, used machines are available, due to previous trade-ins, which can help people with smaller budgets.
You should also consider the cost of maintaining a machine. Check out our beach cleaner maintenance and cost blog post for more information.
Due to bidding processes, dealer networks, factory-direct discounts, and more, major beach cleaner manufacturers do not include pricing on their websites. You need to contact the individual companies to learn more. Often, used machines are available, due to previous trade-ins, which can help people with smaller budgets.
How Much Maintenance is Needed to Keep a Beach Cleaner Running
Mechanical raking beach cleaners use many rows of tines on a conveyor belt to comb through the sand. In general, stainless steel tines will last 4-5 years. If, during that period, a tine breaks, it is easily replaced with another, without disturbing the rest of the conveyor. Conveyor belts, under normal conditions, do not need to be replaced for many years.
Sifting machines rely on long metal screens to separate debris from the sand. By removing the top layer of the beach, these screens undergo excessive amounts of wear. Therefore, most often, the screens need to be replaced every year. Additionally, they must be shortened at various times throughout the beach cleaning season, as they stretch when used. The shortening process requires taking the screen apart and can be tedious and time-consuming.
Sifting machines rely on long metal screens to separate debris from the sand. By removing the top layer of the beach, these screens undergo excessive amounts of wear. Therefore, most often, the screens need to be replaced every year. Additionally, they must be shortened at various times throughout the beach cleaning season, as they stretch when used. The shortening process requires taking the screen apart and can be tedious and time-consuming.
Are Beach Cleaners Safe for the Environment?
The answer is 'yes' and 'no.'
Beach cleaners are excellent for the environment in that they remove tons of man-made litter that is dangerous for wild animals and our water supply. Anything from oil washup to glass, syringes, plastics, or cigarette butts (see cigarette beach environmental dangers here) pose serious environmental risks, let alone danger to humans. Beach cleaners remove this human waste and prevent the potential harm it could inflict on the beach ecosystem and beach-goers alike. From litter to bacteria, beach cleaners help make beaches safe and enjoyable for visitors.
Yet some environmental groups discourage beach cleaner use, because they can remove seaweed, which provides food for some beach life, and the eggs of some native species from the beaches. However, most states and beach communities have rules that govern beach cleaning practices--leaving certain areas for nature to claim, while leaving others for beach-goers. These regulations vary from location to location, but they typically allow beach cleaners that follow specific, environmentally safe practices. Learn about some common beach environmental concerns and beach cleaning practices. Before cleaning, be sure to check your proposed beach-cleaning location for any regulations or restrictions.
Therefore, a balance of environmentally safe beach cleaning practices can be balanced with creating a welcoming beach by following regulations and recommendations.
Beach cleaners are excellent for the environment in that they remove tons of man-made litter that is dangerous for wild animals and our water supply. Anything from oil washup to glass, syringes, plastics, or cigarette butts (see cigarette beach environmental dangers here) pose serious environmental risks, let alone danger to humans. Beach cleaners remove this human waste and prevent the potential harm it could inflict on the beach ecosystem and beach-goers alike. From litter to bacteria, beach cleaners help make beaches safe and enjoyable for visitors.
Yet some environmental groups discourage beach cleaner use, because they can remove seaweed, which provides food for some beach life, and the eggs of some native species from the beaches. However, most states and beach communities have rules that govern beach cleaning practices--leaving certain areas for nature to claim, while leaving others for beach-goers. These regulations vary from location to location, but they typically allow beach cleaners that follow specific, environmentally safe practices. Learn about some common beach environmental concerns and beach cleaning practices. Before cleaning, be sure to check your proposed beach-cleaning location for any regulations or restrictions.
Therefore, a balance of environmentally safe beach cleaning practices can be balanced with creating a welcoming beach by following regulations and recommendations.
How Long will a Beach Cleaner Last?
This boils down to how much the machine is used and what its made of. Most mobile components can be easily replaced as they wear, but a rusted frame will signal the death of the machine. The best way to protect the frame is to hot-dip galvanize it, which involved dipping the entire frame (inside and out) in a boiling vat of zinc, which binds to the steel and makes it impervious to rust and other corrosion. Read more about hot dip galvanizing here.
More Questions that Aren't Answered Here?
If you have questions that aren't answered here or on the rest of our site, please feel free to contact us using our online contact us form, e-mailing us at hbarber@hbarber.com, or calling us at (800) 355-8318. Our team is the most experienced you'll find, and we always enjoy reaching out.