Street sweepers are essential machines for maintaining clean and safe roadways, parking lots, and industrial spaces. At the heart of these machines are their brooms—main brooms, gutter brooms, and other specialized brushes—all of which work in unison to clear debris effectively. However, like all mechanical components, these brooms can wear out or malfunction over time, impacting the performance of your sweeper.
Recognizing early warning signs that your street sweeper brooms are not functioning properly can save you time, money, and frustration. Here are ten warning signs to look out for when operating a street sweeper, along with practical advice on addressing these issues to keep your equipment running at peak efficiency.
Uneven Wear on the Brooms
One of the most common warning signs that your brooms are not functioning properly is uneven wear. Main brooms and gutter brooms should wear down uniformly as they are used. Uneven wear indicates improper adjustments or imbalanced pressure being applied to the surface.
Causes and Solutions
- Improper Height Adjustment: If the broom is too low, it may dig into the surface, causing excessive wear in certain areas. If it’s too high, it may not contact the surface evenly. Regularly check and adjust the height of your brooms.
- Uneven Surfaces: Consistent use on uneven pavement can accelerate wear on certain parts of the broom. Use equipment designed for rough terrain when necessary.
Reduced Sweeping Performance
When debris is left behind after sweeping, it’s a clear sign that your brooms are not doing their job effectively. Poor sweeping performance often signals wear or damage to the bristles.
Causes and Solutions
- Worn Bristles: Over time, bristles become too stiff to flick the debris adequately. Replace your brooms when the bristles become too short.
- Incorrect Broom Type: Using the wrong type of broom for your specific application can lead to suboptimal results. Consult your equipment manual or a trusted supplier like United Rotary Brush to select the correct main broom, gutter broom, or wafer for your needs.
Excessive Vibration or Noise
Excessive vibration or unusual noise during operation can be a warning sign of a problem with your street sweeper brooms.
Causes and Solutions
- Imbalanced Brooms: Uneven wear or poor installation can cause brooms to become imbalanced, leading to vibration. Inspect and rebalance or replace the brooms as needed.
- Damaged Components: Loose or damaged mounting hardware can cause rattling noises. Tighten or replace these components as necessary.
Difficulty Picking Up Specific Types of Debris
Street sweepers must handle a wide variety of debris, from fine dust to larger objects. If your equipment struggles with certain types of debris, it’s a sign of broom inefficiency.
Causes and Solutions
- Incompatible Broom Material: There are two types of bristle materials, poly and wire. Ensure you’re using the right type of main broom or gutter broom for your application.
- Worn Brooms: Over time, even the best brooms lose their ability to handle tougher debris. Regular inspections and timely replacements are key.
Reduced Brush Rotation Speed
If your street sweeper’s brushes are rotating slower than usual, it can significantly affect performance.
Causes and Solutions
- Mechanical Issues: Inspect the hydraulic or mechanical drive system for faults, such as leaks or worn belts.
Shortened Lifespan of Replacement Brooms
If your replacement brooms are wearing out faster than expected, there may be underlying issues with your equipment or operational practices.
Causes and Solutions
- Not Being Used Properly – If the incorrect down pressure is used it can cause the broom’s lifespan to diminish significantly.
Why Choose United Rotary Brush for Your Broom Needs?
United Rotary Brush has established itself as a leader in the manufacturing of main brooms, gutter brooms, and other essential street sweeper attachment brooms. Here’s why so many professionals trust them:
- Superior Quality
United Rotary Brush uses durable materials and precision engineering to produce brooms that deliver consistent performance in demanding environments.
- Wide Product Range
From strip brooms to wafer replacements, United Rotary Brush offers solutions for a variety of equipment and applications.
- Expert Support
Their team of professionals is always ready to assist with product selection, installation, and maintenance advice.
- Commitment to Sustainability
United Rotary Brush emphasizes environmentally friendly practices, ensuring their products meet high standards for sustainability.
Conclusion
Street sweeper brooms play a vital role in ensuring clean and safe surfaces. Recognizing the warning signs of broom inefficiency—such as uneven wear, reduced performance, or excessive vibration—can help you address issues before they escalate.
Regular inspections, proper maintenance, and timely replacements are essential to keeping your equipment running smoothly. By partnering with a trusted street sweeping broom manufacturer like United Rotary Brush, you can ensure the longevity and reliability of your equipment, even in the most demanding conditions.
When it comes to quality, expertise, and customer support, United Rotary Brush is the clear choice for professionals who depend on high-performance street sweeper brooms. Don’t let broom issues slow you down—choose United Rotary Brush for all your replacement and maintenance needs.
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!