FEATURE
SWEEPER MAINTENANCE
A precaution that ensures productivity , and profit
By Jeff Winke
C uriosity is good . It can lead to interesting useful information and sometimes to information that veers off the topic being researched .
Google the word “ sweepers ” and “ street sweepers ” with the intent of deepening an understanding of the equipment asphalt paving contractors rely on for the cleaning of a milled and paving jobsite and the Streetsweeper shotgun will appear on the search list . The Striker-12 / Streetsweeper has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter and is not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes . Therefore , it is classified as a destructive device for purposes of the National Firearms Act and is likely not a part of a paving contractor ’ s equipment list . If it does appear on a contractor ’ s equipment list , it may bode well to steer clear of the contractor .
Generally , there are three different types of street sweepers : mechanical sweepers , vacuum sweepers , and regenerative air sweepers . Maintaining street sweeper machines requires that they be cleaned and inspected on a regular basis . “ Regular , or preventative , maintenance includes cleaning and lubricating the equipment after every use ,” stated Sean Brunger , sales manager strategic products for Aebi Schmidt North America , Inc ., Chilton , Wisconsin . “ For example , our equipment features options to make both of these easier for users . Sweepers are equipped with on-board pressure washers for cleaning the debris
Stewart Amos
hopper . It ’ s important to clean the hopper to prevent dirt accumulation , which can negatively affect the sweeping performance . Our sweepers also come with a central lubrication system for lubricating the grease points .” Maintenance requirements can vary depending on the type of sweeper and the manufacturer . “ We manufacture pure vacuum , mechanical , and regenerative air sweepers , and offer truck mounted and compact sweepers so the maintenance varies per specific machine ,” said Matt Starnes , product marketing manager with Bucher Municipal North America Inc ., Mooresville , North Carolina . “ For our mechanical machines , it is important to maintain the elevator flights – both the elevator drive chain and flight chains . Other maintenance items are the hydraulic reservoir and , of course , make sure to change filters . The number one wear item is the gutter brooms . Making sure the lubrication system is running smoothly is critical in a mechanical sweeper . This is also true of the water filter cleaning . Also , depending on the chassis you should follow the manufacturer ’ s recommended maintenance schedule .” Today , most sweepers are engineered and manufactured to be reliable and dependable , but that only occurs if proper upkeep happens . “ All of our sweepers have a label with recommended maintenance schedules on the machine itself ,” stated Tim Letts , prod-
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