MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR THE
3
Inspect the fan and fan inlet. This should be done daily. Look for
debris buildup that can cause vibration and result in bearing
and drive line damage. The fan should be replaced at the first
sign of machine vibration. When it is time to replace the fan,
the drive line should also be replaced with new bearings to
keep it fresh and up-to-date.
4
Inspect and replace air seals. All rubber seals that are associated
with the fan inlet, intake tubes and doors of the hopper should
be replaced as they become worn to allow a tight seal for
optimum vacuum. All rubber seals should be replaced routinely.
5
Inspect and adjust the sweeping head. On all air sweepers the
sweeping head is considered the most important part of the
machine. Any time the sweeping head is out of adjustment the
sweeper performance will decline dramatically. A bent or twisted
sweeping head will be very difficult to adjust, and since it is
the most important part it should be kept in alignment and the
rubber skirts replaced when it is no longer possible to be adjusted.
6
Successful sweeping companies tend to employ
a good maintenance program for their sweepers
although each maintenance program looks
different from company to company. Some
companies want their drivers to know how to
perform basic maintenance on the sweeper so that
they can fix something small out in the field, while
others have a full team of mechanics that check
each sweeper when they come in the morning.
Inspect the rubber skirts daily. The rubber skirts reach the
ground, so make sure they are sealing to the ground creating
optimum vacuum. The rubber skirts should be replaced when
it is no longer possible to achieve a good seal on the ground.
M
any companies look to the off-season to buy new (or
new to them) equipment. Remember that maintenance
starts as soon as you get a sweeper. “It is important to
go through that manual when you first receive the unit, even
if you’ve been in business for many years, as minor points of
maintenance change from model year to model year,” says Costas
Cordonis, Schwarze’s warranty and training administrator.
“A good preventative maintenance program is the best costbenefit value to your sweeper. Every sweeping contractor and
municipality should have a program in place to catch any loose
parts, misalignments, vibrations, etc. early on. To keep your
sweeper energized and performing well, vital sweeper system
and parts must be well maintained and replaced in a timely
manner as the need arises.”
CORDONIS OFFERS THE FOLLOWING TIPS:
1
C
lean the debris hopper daily. Daily cleaning helps avoid dirt
accumulation, which will generate rust as well as restrict the
air flow and the performance.
2
M
aintain the hopper screen. This is essential because the hopper
screen is the main area where the air flow will move freely to
the fan. So maintain the screen, keep it clean and keep it free
of any obstructions.
16 NORTH AMERICAN SW EEPER NOVE M BE R 2013
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