Beach Cleaner Features That Affect Cost: What You’re Really Paying For

ai beach cleaner on beach

When shopping for a beach cleaner, the price differences between models can be confusing. Why is one machine $40,000 while another is $10,000.
This guide breaks down the key beach cleaner features that affect cost so you can understand what you’re paying for, avoid overspending, and choose the right machine for your beach. 

How Much Does a Beach Cleaner Cost?

graphic highlighting costs for a beach cleaner

If you maintain a beach, you’ve probably wondered what a designated beach cleaning machine actually costs— and whether the investment pays off. This post provides a breakdown of the most common machine types, what they cost, and which beaches they’re built for.

What Kind of Tractor Do You Need for a Beach Cleaner

which tractor should you pair with a beach cleaner graphic

Choosing the right tractor is one of the most important steps when investing in a tractor-towed beach cleaning machine. The tractor doesn’t just pull the cleaner—it powers the system, controls the beach cleaner’s settings, and determines how efficiently your beach can be cleaned each day.

Whether you’re maintaining a municipal coastline, a resort beach, or a private shoreline, the right combination of tractor and beach cleaner keeps your operations running smoothly season after season.

3 Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Beach Cleaner

When you’re evaluating a beach cleaning machine, the purchase price is only one part of the equation.

The real question is: will it reliably deliver clean, safe beaches within the time and conditions you’re working with?

What Size Debris Can the Surf Rake® Pick Up?

small plastic litter in beach cleaner hopper

The Surf Rake® is designed to collect a wide range of debris sizes—from small, sharp items you never want on a play beach, to bulky storm wash-ups like driftwood and large plastics. Operators can adapt to a wide range of debris types and sand conditions, so that the Surf Rake will pick up materials in conditions that would normally not be possible with traditional screening and sifting beach cleaners.

Design Principles for Making Long-Lasting Beach Cleaners

beach cleaner and technical drawing of its design

It’s no surprise that many beach cleaning machines struggle to stay reliable season after season. But after 60 years of observing what works — and what doesn’t — one principle consistently stands out to us at Barber:

How to Build a Beach Cleaning Program to Remove Microplastics

talking with news on beach

One-time cleanups are great, but they’re not enough to keep microplastics off your beach. Because new plastic pollution constantly washes ashore, consistent, scheduled cleaning efforts are essential for maintaining a clean, inviting shoreline.

A well-designed beach cleaning program ensures:

How to Remove Microplastics from My Beach

walk behind sand cleaner at top of beach

If you’re concerned about how to remove microplastics from your beach, this post will provide a number of best practices and options for how you can determine the best course of action.