July 2008, Government Fleet - Feature
6 Secrets To Extending Street Sweeper Brush Life
By Shelley Mika
Street sweepers probably don’t get the glory they deserve. Odds are, most people don’t recognize the serious health hazards sweepers prevent by maintaining clean streets. For that reason, street sweepers are an important part of many fleets. Like any fleet vehicle, maintenance is an essential part of delivering quality service while keeping a cap on costs.
Extending sweeper brush life is part and parcel to street sweeper maintenance. Sweeper Products Manager Brian Giles for Elgin Sweeper offers his "dos and don’ts" for sweeper brush care.
Regularly checking broom linkages is a small time investment that can yield big savings on replacement brushes.
1. Don’t Buy Cheap Brooms.
While at first blush, it might seem buying inexpensive brooms is a great deal; however, Giles says you get what you pay for. Bargain brooms all too often offer short brush life and ultimately aren’t worth the cheaper price.
"Since sweeper brooms are a consumable commodity, someone is always willing to sell for less. The cost of a broom is dependent on the quality and amount of the filament. Reducing either of these will lower the cost, but it will also increase the wear rate," he said. "I have personally witnessed bargain flat steel filament brooms that broke off most of the filaments prior to wearing the filaments to the replacement length."
With any purchase in an open market, there is a delicate balance between laying down minimal cash and getting a quality product. For example, investing a little extra in a quality broom results in longer brush life and better service on the streets.
"They may cost more up-front, but they save big in the long run," Giles said.
2. Make Sure All Broom Linkages are in Serviceable Condition.
Just as keeping tires properly inflated can reduce gas mileage, keeping linkages in good working order can reduce wear on sweeper brushes. A little upkeep goes a long way and can save dollars spent on replacements.
"The linkage that allows the brooms to follow the road contour must be properly maintained," Giles said. "If this linkage becomes worn or begins to stick, excessive broom wear can occur."
Regularly checking broom linkages is a small time investment that can yield big savings on replacement brushes.