Equipment

I sometimes wonder at the massive amount of equipment we use to keep things operating.  For instance, recently we have had the sweeper around.  Now at this elevation we have two things that "flatlanders" don't have to contend with.  We have ice, which needs gravel to keep our tires from slipping, and we have pine trees, which drop their needles all over the place.

At the end of winter we have a lot of gravel and pine needles laying on the roads and so we have this big sweeper to handle the problem.

Firstly the local garbage company drops off a dumpster (skip for the Brits!)

Then the sweeper roams around the roads sucking up these two pests to be dropped in the dumpster as soon as the middle section is full.  This section moves out over the dumpster and opens up to disgorge the load; it's all very efficient.  It's also quite dusty!

After a day or so, the work is done and a wander around the local streets shows that the work has left everywhere neat and tidy.

I can't help wondering though at the cost and maintenance of the machine, and also that would it not be more cost effective to use men with brooms?

I'm probably just being an old fogey, though!