Keeping your sweeper brooms in top shape is essential for any municipality, contractor, or airport team that relies on their machines daily. These components take on heavy demands from pavement, debris, and weather.
Over time, wear becomes unavoidable, but it can be slowed or prevented with the correct approach. In this article, we’ll explain the most common causes of broom wear and what you can do to extend performance and reduce downtime.
What Can Cause Sweeper Brooms to Wear Out Faster Than Expected?
Sweeper operators know that wear is part of the job, but there are certain factors that accelerate it. Understanding these causes can help with your maintenance plan and prevent early broom failure. At United Rotary Brush, we’ve spent decades studying how various factors play a role in a broom’s lifespan. Our experience helps us guide crews toward better results and longer service intervals.
Why Does Proper Broom Selection Matter for Long-Term Performance?
Step one in preventing excessive wear is choosing the right broom for the job. Different materials and broom styles respond differently to the conditions. This matters whether you are operating sweeper brooms, airport sweepers, or construction sweepers. Using a broom that is not designed for a certain surface can create unnecessary wear and reduce the broom’s lifespan.
Common Causes of Sweeper Broom Wear
Excessive Pressure
Too much pressure is one of the biggest culprits behind early wear and tear. When operators push the limits of street sweeper brooms too aggressively, the bristles can grind away. Heavy pressure can also put unnecessary strain on broom cores, hydraulics, and bearings.
Incorrect Material for the Job
Not all brooms are the same. Poly and wire brooms behave differently. Using the wrong type of broom can cause premature wear or poor sweeping results. Choosing the wrong broom means the material could break down more quickly and require a sweeper broom replacement earlier than expected.
Harsh Conditions
Different factors can impact a broom’s lifespan. This includes temperature, moisture, and the size of debris. Cold weather can make bristles more brittle, while hot asphalt softens poly materials. Working in construction zones can mean that brooms are exposed to heavier debris like gravel and concrete dust. So, every situation has a different impact on sweeper brooms.
Uneven or Damaged Pavement
Potholes, cracks, and rough surfaces can cause sudden or unexpected impact on the broom’s bristles. Over time, excessive impact caused by poor pavement can affect the length of the bristles. Municipal sweepers often encounter these issues when navigating older road systems with pavement that varies from block to block.
Ignoring Routine Maintenance
Street sweeper brooms can wear out more quickly if they are neglected. Sweeper operators should always be on the lookout for loose nuts, damaged cores, and shortened bristle length. Consistent inspections can catch smaller problems before they become bigger issues that can shorten broom life significantly.
How Operators Can Avoid the Previously Mentioned Issues
Use Proper Pressure
Using the minimum pressure needed is one of the best ways to extend a broom’s lifespan. Light to moderate pressure often produces the best results as well.
Use the Right Broom for the Job
Consider the broom type, the pavement’s conditions, and the weather before you decide which broom to use. The correct selection helps prevent material breakdown and means more consistent performance overall.
Store Brooms Properly
Storing poly filled brooms inside and off the ground can extend their lifespan. Keeping them out of sunlight also helps.
When is it Time to Get a Replacement?
If you’re not sure whether to stay with your current broom or upgrade to a new one, look for these factors.
- Bristles have worn down to below the recommended length
- Sweeping patterns are becoming uneven
- Difficulty collecting debris, especially fine debris
- Visible damage to the cores
- Excessive vibration
Conclusion
Sweeper broom wear is unavoidable, but the right strategies can slow it down and positively impact your bottom line. By choosing the correct broom material, maintaining proper pressure, protecting broom components, and monitoring rotation, sweeping crews can prevent premature damage and extend overall performance.
As a leading road broom manufacturer, we know that high-quality brooms and proper care can improve results. This also protects the investment you’ve made in your sweeping fleet.
Contact United Rotary Brush today for high-quality street sweeping and runway sweeping solutions! Our team is here to help you stay ahead of winter with the best in road brooms, cutting edges, spreader chains, and more.
At United Rotary Brush, keeping sweepers sweeping shouldn’t be complicated. You don’t need confusing specs or slow turnaround times. We’ve been innovating rotary brooms for over 80 years, and we know what works.
Need tube brooms, gutter brooms, strip brooms, or airport runway wafers that hold up under pressure? We’ve got you covered. No clutter. No guesswork. Just reliable parts built to last.
Ready to get your machines rolling again? Call us at 800‑851‑5108 or send a message via our Contact Us page. We’ll handle the rest.
