For anyone unfamiliar with industrial cleaning equipment, understanding the different types of brooms and their functions can be a bit overwhelming. Strip brooms are one of the most commonly used brooms in the street sweeping industry, and they play a crucial role in keeping roads, parking lots, and other paved surfaces free of dirt, debris, and litter. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of strip brooms, their functions, and why they are essential for efficient sweeping operations.
What Are Strip Brooms?
Strip brooms are a type of broom used with mechanical street sweepers. Unlike traditional tube brooms, which have bristles wrapped uniformly around a tube, strip brooms are made up of a series of individual strips that are mounted parallel to a strip core. The design allows the broom to effectively sweep debris and dislodge compacted dirt and particles from various surfaces.
Strip brooms are made from polypropylene filament and are also available in different lengths, based on the type of sweeper being used.
How Do Strip Brooms Work?
Strip brooms are mounted on street sweepers, which are machines designed to clean roads, parking lots, and industrial areas. These machines use rotating brooms to sweep debris from the road surface, which is then collected into a hopper. The individual strips of the broom move quickly and efficiently, removing a variety of materials from the surface, including:
- Dirt and dust
- Gravel and small rocks
- Leaves and organic matter
- Trash, such as bottles, cans, and wrappers
Strip brooms are essential in keeping urban environments clean, and they are especially effective at sweeping up debris after construction projects, events, or storms.
Key Features of Strip Brooms
To understand why strip brooms are so popular in the street sweeping industry, it’s important to consider their key features:
- Durability: Strip brooms are designed for heavy-duty use. When made from high-strength polypropylene, they can withstand extended use in challenging conditions without significant wear or damage.
- Versatility: Strip brooms are highly versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces. Whether the job requires sweeping smooth asphalt roads or road millings, strip brooms can adapt to the task.
- Easy Replacement: One of the primary benefits of strip brooms is their modular design. Instead of replacing the entire broom when it wears down, you can replace individual strips. This makes maintenance more cost-effective and reduces downtime for street sweepers.
- Efficient Cleaning: The design of strip brooms ensures that debris is quickly swept away and collected, even in tough conditions. Their ability to dislodge compacted dirt and handle larger pieces of debris makes them highly efficient in road cleaning operations.
Types of Strip Brooms
United Rotary Brush offers strip brooms for each of the following sweepers. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular types:
1. Elgin Strip Brooms
Elgin is one of the leading brands in street sweeping equipment, and their strip brooms are known for their exceptional performance and longevity. Elgin strip brooms are made from high-quality polypropylene, allowing them to handle a wide range of sweeping conditions. These brooms are commonly used in municipal street sweeping, construction clean-up, and post-event debris removal.
One of the standout features of Elgin strip brooms is their ability to adapt to various surfaces. They are perfect for sweeping both paved roads and rougher surfaces, making them a go-to choice for many street sweeping operators.
2. Schwarze Strip Brooms
Schwarze strip brooms are another popular choice among street sweeping professionals. Known for their durability and consistency, Schwarze brooms are designed for long-term use in demanding environments. These brooms are constructed from polypropylene filament, giving them the strength needed to tackle larger debris while maintaining the flexibility required for efficient sweeping.
Schwarze strip brooms are commonly used in commercial and industrial sweeping applications. Their robust construction and versatility make them ideal for sweeping everything from urban streets to industrial yards.
3. XBroom Strip Brooms
XBroom strip brooms are a newer addition to the market but have quickly gained a reputation for high performance and innovation. The XBroom design features a unique configuration that enhances sweeping efficiency by optimizing contact between the broom and the surface. This ensures better debris pickup, especially when dealing with fine dust and small particles.
XBroom strip brooms are often used in settings where precise cleaning is required, such as high-traffic roadways. Their advanced design allows for thorough sweeping without leaving behind residue or unsightly dust trails.
When to Replace Your Strip Broom
Even the most durable strip brooms will wear down over time, and knowing when to replace them is key to maintaining optimal sweeping performance. Here are some indicators that it’s time for a replacement:
- Decreased Performance: If your sweeper is no longer picking up debris as efficiently as it used to, it may be time to replace the strip broom. Worn-down bristles are less effective at dislodging and collecting dirt.
- Uneven Wear: Check the broom for uneven wear. Uneven wear can cause inefficiencies in the sweeping process and may require replacement of the entire broom.
- Bristle Damage: Over time, the bristles on strip brooms can become damaged. Regularly inspect the broom for missing bristles, as this can affect overall performance.
- Vibration or Noise: Excessive vibration or noise while the sweeper is in use can be a sign that the strip broom is worn out or improperly mounted. If you notice these issues, inspect the broom and consider replacing it if necessary.
Conclusion
Strip brooms are an essential component of any street sweeper, and their ability to efficiently remove debris from a wide range of surfaces makes them invaluable for keeping urban environments clean. Whether you’re using an Elgin, Schwarze, XBroom, or any other mechanical sweeper using a strip broom, understanding the different types and when to replace them will help you get the most out of your equipment.
United Rotary Brush offers high-quality strip brooms to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for durability, efficiency, or versatility, their strip brooms are built to handle the toughest sweeping jobs. Proper maintenance and timely replacement will ensure that your strip brooms continue to deliver top performance, keeping streets and public spaces clean and safe.
United Rotary Brush Corporation has been the nation’s most reliable source for all of the brooms listed in this article and many other items. We supply our clients with important items, such as airport runway brooms, street sweeper brooms, snow plow edges, bucket blades, and spreader chains. It is our mission to help our clients keep their environments clean and clear of trash, debris, and any other object that might get in the way.
For more information about our expansive inventory of gutter brooms, tube brooms, main brooms, strip brooms, wafer brooms, runway cassettes, plow blades, and more – contact us today at (800) 851-5108. You can also go online to see our full assortment of products for highly acclaimed brands like Global, Elgin, Schwarze, XBroom, SB Manufacturing, TYMCO, Bucher/Johnston, Virnig, Laymor, Paladin, and many others.
With more than 80 years of manufacturing experience in the rotary broom business, our team at United Rotary Brush has clearly established ourselves as a reputable source for all your brush and broom needs. Our full line of rotary broom products will be sure to include exactly what you need.
We look forward to assisting you!
