Gravely Impacts Gulf Oil Cleanup

In addition to British Petroleum, which has been using the Rapid E as part of its Gulf clean-up efforts, Halloran Power Equipment has put on demonstrations for a number of local government agencies. - Photo courtesy of Gravely

When Mike Halloran, president of Halloran Power Equipment of Palatine, Ill., saw the tar balls and debris washed ashore from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, he had an idea.

Halloran knew the Gravely Rapid E two-wheel tractor with its optional sand cleaning accessory head would be the perfect tool for cleaning Gulf shore beaches. The smaller equipment was designed for this task and would leave a smaller footprint than the 10-ton, tow-behind equipment Halloran saw being used.

''The Rapid E and sand cleaner are the only machines I am aware of designed for this purpose,'' Halloran said. ''They are used every day for general beach cleaning, but excel at removing oil from sand.''

This two-wheeled, walk-behind tractor features a power takeoff that accepts any one of 95 different attachments. From snow blowers to mowing decks to sand cleaners, the accessories can be switched out in minutes without tools. This flexibility, coupled with the machine's light weight and small footprint have made it a valuable tool in the Gulf cleanup effort.

''Tow-behind cleaners can actually make matters worse,'' said Halloran. ''Tar balls get ground deeper into the sand by the tractor tires before the cleaning equipment even get to them. The cleaning head on the Rapid E is out front, so the sand is cleared before the wheels pass through.''

Any other equipment manufacturer who could help clean up the biggest environmental disaster of this century, would be welcome relief.

- Courtesy of Green Industry Pros News