When it comes to street sweeping and surface cleaning, few components work harder than the main broom. Mounted on a street sweeper clearing downtown roads, these heavy-duty brushes are the backbone of debris collection. At United Rotary Brush, we specialize in crafting dependable main brooms that deliver consistent performance across all sweeping applications.
If you’re new to sweeping equipment—or simply want a better understanding of how main brooms operate—this overview breaks it down clearly and simply.
What Are Main Brooms?
Main brooms are the large, cylindrical brushes located underneath the sweeper chassis. Unlike side brooms, which sweep debris inward, main brooms are responsible for lifting debris and directing it onto the conveyor or into the hopper for collection.
They rotate against the ground in the opposite direction of the vehicle’s movement. This rotation creates a scooping effect, lifting everything from sand and salt to leaves, trash, and small stones. Without a functioning main broom, a sweeper’s efficiency drops dramatically.
Key Functions of Main Brooms
- Core Debris Collection
The primary role of main brooms is to sweep debris from the road surface and guide it toward the conveyor mechanism. Whether used in a mechanical sweeper or regenerative air model, the broom’s job is vital to a clean, clear path.
- Surface Agitation
Main brooms don’t just collect debris—they agitate the surface. This helps loosen compacted dirt and grit, making it easier to remove. That’s especially important in high-traffic areas or surfaces covered in fine particles.
- Complement to Side Brooms
While side brooms reach into gutters and curbs, they don’t handle disposal. Their job is to move debris into the center path. The main broom then takes over to finish the job.
Common Types of Main Brooms
Just like the roads they clean, not all brooms are built the same. There are several main broom styles designed for different machines and conditions:
Tube Brooms
These cylindrical brushes are made of bristles wrapped around a solid core. Tube brooms are popular for aggressive sweeping and are often found on street sweepers that deal with heavy debris.
Strip Brooms
Strip-style main brooms use replaceable brush segments mounted into a core. They’re easier to maintain and offer a cost-effective solution for routine sweeping.
Wafer Brooms
These consist of individual wafers—flat, circular discs—stacked along a central shaft. Though often used as side brooms or gutter brushes, some applications utilize wafer brooms as main sweeping elements in specific machines.
Each type has its own advantages depending on the type of surface, debris, and sweeper model in use.
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When to Replace a Main Broom
Even the most durable broom wears out over time. Ignoring wear can reduce sweeping efficiency and even cause damage to the equipment.
Here are a few signs it might be time for main broom replacement:
- Bristles have worn down by more than one-third
- Sweeping performance has dropped noticeably
- The broom is causing uneven contact with the ground
- You notice streaks or trails of leftover debris
Just like you wouldn’t delay tube broom replacement, the same rule applies to your main sweeping components. Timely replacement keeps your fleet productive and reliable.
Choosing the Right Main Broom Manufacturer
Not all brooms are manufactured equally. Partnering with a trusted main broom manufacturer like United Rotary Brush ensures you’re getting consistent quality, strong materials, and equipment that’s built to handle real-world conditions.
At United Rotary Brush, we design and produce brooms that meet or exceed OEM standards. With years of experience as a tube broom manufacturer, we understand the demands of municipal, airport, and industrial sweeping.
Maintenance Tips to Extend Broom Life
To get the most from your investment, proper maintenance goes a long way:
- Inspect brooms regularly for signs of wear and uneven bristle loss
- Adjust broom pressure according to surface type and debris load
- Clean brooms after heavy use, especially in wet or corrosive environments
- Store properly to avoid warping or bristle damage
Good maintenance isn’t just about extending life—it ensures the broom continues to perform safely and effectively between replacements.
Why United Rotary Brush?
As a leading name in the industry, United Rotary Brush offers sweeping solutions that deliver performance, durability, and ease of maintenance. From full-size main brooms to high-performance tube brooms, every product is backed by expert craftsmanship and dedicated support.
Whether you manage a municipal fleet, maintain airport runways, or support a private contractor, our broom systems are designed to meet your specific needs.
Conclusion
Main brooms may operate quietly beneath the surface, but their impact is anything but small. Main brooms clear urban streets and are essential to the success of any sweeping operation. By understanding how they work, knowing when to replace them, and choosing a quality manufacturer, you ensure your team is ready for any job.
Contact United Rotary Brush today for high-quality street sweeping and runway sweeping solutions! Our team is ready to help you find the perfect broom for your equipment and application.
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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 brooms, street sweeper brooms, snow plow edges, bucket blades, and spreader chains. Our mission is to help our clients keep their environment clean and clear of trash, debris, and any other objects 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 what you need.
We look forward to assisting you!
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