Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/860257
EquipmentWorld.com | August 2017 57 Sweeper maintenance tips Here is a list of 10 maintenance tips Schwarze Industries has developed for sweeper trucks: 1. Clean the debris hopper daily. This helps avoid dirt accumulation, which will generate rust as well as restrict the airflow and the performance. 2. Maintain the hopper screen. Keeping the hopper screen clean and free of any obstructions is essential because it is the central area where the airflow will move freely to the fan. 3. Inspect the fan and fan inlet daily. Look for debris buildup that can cause vibration and result in bearing and driveline damage. The fan should be replaced at the first sign of machine vibration. When it is time to replace the fan, the driveline 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 when they become worn, to keep 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, sweeper performance will decline dramatically. A bent or twisted sweeping head will be 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. Inspect the rubber skirts daily. The rubber skirts reach the ground, so make sure they are sealing to the ground creating an optimum vacuum. The rubber skirts should be replaced when it is no longer possible to achieve a good seal on the ground. 7. Adjust and replace curb brooms. The curb brooms are designed to move the debris from the curbs to the path of the sweeping head. As the curb brooms wear, they will require adjustment. It is necessary to replace the bristles or adjust the curb brooms' strike pattern to maintain the optimum settings. The curb broom bristles should be replaced when it is no longer possible to achieve the strike pattern to clean the curb efficiently. 8. Monitor and maintain the hydraulic system regularly with the correct viscosity oil, hydraulic filter changes and pressure settings to ensure high performance. Replace weak or inoperative hydraulic components at the first sign of hydraulic pressure loss. Replacing the hydraulic filter will prevent hydraulic oil contamination and also return pressure, which will develop restriction on the hydraulic flow. 9. Inspect the water system. The water system is vital to the life of the fan, keeping debris moist as it enters the hopper and not allowing it to stick to the screen, which would restrict airflow. Also, inspect the water filter daily to keep it clean and make sure the spray nozzles are clear. Repair or replace inoperable water system components to maintain adequate dust suppression for your sweeper 10. Keep a documented maintenance schedule log to ensure a long life for all the machine's parts. Oregon DOT A sweeper truck follows a grinder on a Seattle Department of Transportation project. Oregon Department of Transportation using a sweeper truck to clean debris on a bridge deck during rehabilitation work.