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POSTMASTER:
• Non-CDL version available
• Mechanical sweeping to handle heavy applications like millings
• Independent broom control for in-the-cut precision
• Single engine for fuel economy and less maintenance
• Simple start-up procedure with easy-to-operate controls
As the winter season draws near, it’s crucial for municipalities and contractors to winterize their street sweepers to withstand the coming harsh weather. Effective winterization helps ensure that sweepers stay operational and in peak condition, minimizing downtime and costly repairs.
Elgin Sweeper, a leader in street sweeper manufacturing with over a century of expertise, produces sweepers for general maintenance, industrial sites, and airports. Drawing from their extensive experience, Elgin Sweeper shares best practices for winterizing street sweepers to maintain functionality and longevity through winter’s challenging conditions.
Before temperatures plunge, give your street sweeper a deep clean. Clear out all debris from the hopper, brushes, and other areas that collect dirt. This is also a prime opportunity to inspect the sweeper for any signs of damage, including cracks, rust, or worn parts. Identifying and addressing these issues early helps avoid more serious and expensive repairs when freezing conditions set in.
Water systems are particularly susceptible to freezing, which can cause damage. For sweepers in storage, completely drain all water tanks, hoses, and pumps to prevent ice buildup.
Water systems are particularly susceptible to freezing, which can cause damage. For sweepers in storage, completely drain all water tanks, hoses, and pumps to prevent ice buildup. For sweepers in active use during winter, add a non-toxic antifreeze solution to the water system to prevent freezing. This is especially critical for sweepers that rely on water for dust control.
Battery performance can drop in cold weather, so it’s wise to store both the sweeper and its battery in a temperature-controlled environment when not in use. Fully charge the high-voltage battery before long-term storage to maintain optimal battery health and ensure readiness when the sweeper is back in operation.
Cold weather can lead to condensation in fuel tanks, which risks contaminating the fuel. To reduce this risk, keep the fuel tank full to limit air exposure. Adding a fuel stabilizer also helps prevent fuel degradation. For long-term storage, consider draining the fuel system entirely to avoid complications.
Cold temperatures can cause lubricants to thicken, reducing their efficiency. Be sure to check all fluid levels, including engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and coolant, and replace any fluids that need refreshing. For optimal performance, use winter-grade lubricants, and lubricate all moving parts to prevent stiffness or wear in low temperatures.
Winter weather can accelerate corrosion on metal components. Applying a corrosion inhibitor or grease to exposed metal surfaces helps prevent rust and structural damage. Pay special attention to moistureprone areas, like joints and hinges, to maintain the sweeper’s durability and performance.
Inspect the sweeper’s brushes and brooms for signs of wear. Replace any worn or damaged parts to ensure effective sweeping. Consider adjusting broom settings to handle debris commonly found in winter, such as sand and salt.
For sweepers stored over extended periods, take extra steps to protect them. Keep the sweeper in a dry, covered area, shielded from weather exposure. Cover it with a tarp or similar protection to prevent moisture buildup, and ensure all drains remain open so that any remaining water can escape.
By following these winterization steps, municipalities and contractors can keep their sweepers running smoothly and avoid seasonal breakdowns. Proper
winter preparation extends equipment lifespan, supporting public safety by ensuring cleaner, safer streets in the toughest winter weather.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ELGIN SWEEPER AND BEST PRACTICES FOR SWEEPER MAINTENANCE, VISIT ELGINSWEEPER.COM.
Elgin has the best sweeping technology for every application. Residential, airports, race tracks, ports, municipal, construction, industrial — there’s an Elgin for the job.
The Partners of 1-800-SWEEPER joined forces with K9s For Warriors in a Fall fundraising campaign to raise money to provide a service dog for a Veteran suffering from PTSD.
K9s For Warriors is an organization dedicated to ending Veteran suicide. They provide highly trained Service Dogs to military Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. With most dogs acquired from animal shelters, this innovative program allows the K9/Warrior team to build an unwavering bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery. The fundraising program ran from August 26th through the month of September. The Partners of 1-800-SWEEPER were challenged with raising $30,000 in 5 weeks for this very worthy cause. They solicited their employees, customers, family and friends for donations. The internal contest for naming the service dog added a fun and engaging element to the fundraiser. Congratulations to Charles Joseph of All Care Sweeping for winning the contest! Charles went on to say, “These remarkable dogs not only save lives but also provide crucial assistance to our returning soldiers, while also giving shelter dogs a second
chance at life. I take great pride in supporting an organization that makes such a significant difference.”
1-800-SWEEPER also expresses gratitude to the generous vendors who contributed to this cause, including TYMCO, Keystone Plastics, Bay Street Financial, Scenic City Studios, Integrated Vehicle Leasing, and Kimball-Midwest. The support from industry vendors is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
During the 1-800-SWEEPER Annual Meeting held in Las Vegas on October 22nd, a check for $30,000 was presented to K9s For Warriors representatives, including Steven Carmichael, Director of Corporate Partners, and Navy Veteran, Joe Moreno, alongside
continued on page 14
his service dog Eagle. Joe delivered an inspiring and emotional speech about how Eagle transformed his life and underscored the significance of this program for veterans. He shared, “I want to show other veterans that with the right tools, there is hope that they can get back to living their best lives, on their terms. A service animal is not a robot; it’s not going to solve everything, but it’s another tool.”
The success of this fundraiser not only highlighted
the community’s dedication to supporting veterans, but also emphasized the powerful impact that service dogs can have on healing and recovery.
K9s For Warriors (K9FW) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. If you’d like to donate to K9s For Warriors, click on the 1-800-SWEEPER Foundation QR code below or visit https://k9sforwarriors.org/.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SWEEPER SUMMIT AND WHY YOU NEED TO BE THERE IN 2025!
The International Sweeper Summit & Equipment Expo, held October 22-24, 2024 at the beautiful JW Marriott in Las Vegas, was a must see event! Sponsored by ODRA Sweepers, this year’s Summit brought together power sweeping contractors for an opportunity to enhance their knowledge, network, and collaborate, all within an exciting atmosphere. With over 200 attendees and exhibitors, the event showcased the thriving spirit of the sweeping industry.
The Summit kicked-off with an engaging group event at Top Golf, sponsored by Schwarze Industries, which set the tone for a fun afternoon gathering. Attendees enjoyed delicious BBQ and beverages while mingling in a relaxed environment, where the golf balls - whether hitting or missing - took a backseat to the camaraderie.
Joe Hendrickson, VP of Sales for Schwarze, expressed his delight stating, “I really enjoyed the TopGolf event this year. It provided an atmosphere
continued on page 18
where everyone could socialize and have fun together. Thank you Sweeper Summit team, for looking for innovative ways to improve our experience at the event.” This innovative start allowed participants to forge connections in a
unique setting, laying the groundwork for productive conversations in the days ahead.
The day culminated with an Exhibitor Welcome Reception, sponsored by TYMCO in the indoor exhibitor area, allowing vendors to proudly showcase their newest products and innovations.
Wednesday’s agenda centered around education, highlighted by a keynote address from Joel Goldberg, sponsored by United Rotary Brush. Goldberg, a broadcaster for the Kansas City Royals, shared invaluable insights on building trust within your organization to achieve growth into a championship team - a theme that resonated deeply with the audience. Following the keynote, attendees participated in a dynamic outdoor rotating manufacturers’ roundtable, a fresh addition to this year’s schedule.
It fostered direct dialogue among manufacturers and contractors. This hands-on approach created an atmosphere of learning and feedback, allowing everyone to gain a deeper understanding of the equipment they use to run their business.
Attendees enjoyed lunch in the equipment expo area before diving into roundtable discussions hosted by NAPSA. The afternoon offered five rotating roundtable discussions tackling significant industry topics and providing attendees the chance to share their insights and experiences.
The day wrapped up with a Cocktail Reception among the outdoor exhibits, followed by a delicious dinner held in the Valencia Ballroom rotunda.
The Summit concluded on Thursday with speaker
David Avrin. He provided insight on how to better navigate business in response to new generational wants, needs and expectations. Attendees came away with new ideas on how to future-proof their businesses and become Ridiculously Easy to Do Business With.
LOOKING AHEAD TO SWEEPER SUMMIT 2025
As the dust settled on another successful Sweeper Summit, the excitement for the next event is already building. Mark your calendars for Sweeper Summit 2025, returning to the JW Marriott in Las Vegas from November 4-6. This upcoming gathering promises even more opportunities
The afternoon offered five rotating roundtable discussions tackling significant industry topics and providing attendees the chance to share their insights and experiences.
Schedule a Demonstration Today !
for education, networking, and collaboration. Stay tuned for announcements and details. It will be an exceptional chance to elevate your business and expand your professional circle.
In conclusion, the International Sweeper Summit & Equipment Expo showcased not only the latest advancements in the sweeping industry, but also reinforced the importance of community and collaboration. Whether you were able to attend this year or are planning to join in 2025, it’s clear that the Sweeper Summit continues to be the premier event for anyone serious about success in the power sweeping industry. Join us and be part of this incredible journey!
business operate more efficiently and stay in line with
Keystone Plastics has been manufacturing the industry’s leading replacement brooms for street sweeping and road construction since 1954. At Keystone we believe in reliable quality and strive to make the heaviest, longest lasting brooms in the industry. We also believe the only good broom is the one that arrives to you as promised. Contact us to find a distributor near you.
Non-hazardous waste: Think dirt, leaves, sand and everyday trash like wrappers and plastic bottles. Hazardous waste: This might include things like motor oil, industrial chemicals and other pollutants
Here are some essential tips from the Bucher brand’s top industry expert on pavement sweeper truck maintenance.
Bucher Municipal manufactures one of the industry’s leading sweeper truck lines, famous for safety, performance, ease of use, and comfort. Recently, Johnny Kidwell, Bucher Assembly Head and premier industry expert on Bucher pavement sweeper truck manufacturing and maintenance shared with us his key tips for proper care of Bucher equipment and generalized tips applicable to most or all major sweeper truck brands. Kidwell has had a hand in building almost every one of the sweepers the company has produced out of Bucher Municipal North America, Inc. Here, we’re passing along these critical maintenance tips from the company’s top expert for Bucher sweeper truck owners and other operators in the industry who may be considering this great brand.
Bucher has built their reputation by combining the highest performance in modern pavement sweepers with a comparatively low cost of ownership. Bucher is further known for its leadership in the industry in green initiatives, including its line of 100% electric sweeper vehicles. Through Bucher’s innovative technology
Due to the exceptional design creativity and manufacturing skills of the Bucher team, including Kidwell’s leadership in Production, some Bucher Municipal sweeper trucks are still in operation after 15 years of routine use. .
for generating smooth airflow and the manufacturer’s comprehensive product support services, the organization has risen to the top of the field in mechanical, vacuum, and regenerative air sweeper truck technologies.
Due to the exceptional design creativity and manufacturing skills of the Bucher team, including Kidwell’s leadership in Production, some Bucher Municipal sweeper trucks are still in operation after 15 years of routine use. This great milestone is nearly double the industry average of just 8 years. It serves as the sweeping business standard for maximum durability, reliability, and long-term productivity of the best sweeper trucks.
Through John’s more than 13 years with Bucher Municipal, he has been instrumental in the development of all new Bucher sweeper truck functional designs and technological advancements. That would include Bucher’s truck-mounted sweepers, as well as its full range of compact vacuum sweeper sizes, truck-mounted machinery, and full-scale sweeper trucks.
In a previous NAS article on Bucher equipment, Johnny commented on his findings from examining a well-functioning Bucher sweeper truck after many years of routine operation, “The overall condition of the sweeper, including the hopper, is astonishing after 17 years. It’s as structurally sound as one of our brand-new hoppers. That’s amazing when you consider the corrosive and abrasive environment it works in every day.”
Here are some of John Kidwell’s top maintenance tips to help you keep your Bucher sweeper truck(s) in that condition long-term:
Winterization Tips
These are especially important maintenance processes during wintertime in regions with cold temperatures:
4 Drain water out of the equipment. This tip bears a backup step for thoroughness, therefore:
4 Carefully double-check all spaces where water can become trapped to ensure that everything in each area is drained.
4 Winterization is also controlled by JVM. Run through all the functions properly.
In our MaxPowa Truck Mounted V Series, the filter screen is allocated behind the rear tires. Necessary maintenance for this equipment includes the following:
4 Check the grease points to ensure that we have enough grease (V series models have 27 grease points including for the wander hose).
4 Check the Fluid Levels (Oil, cooling & hydraulic level).
4 Check wear & tear parts (If we do not make the regular parts changes for wear-and-tear items, this will decrease the suction performance).
4 For gutter brooms and main brooms, the frequency of change should be based on usage, sweeping habits, and the debris swept.
4 Check the nozzle rubbers.
4 Check the screen inside the hopper to ensure it does not have any holes in it.
4 Check the fan case seals.
4 Check the Main Suction Intake for wear.
Year-round, in addition to the regular periodic maintenance tips above, perform these critical steps every time you use your sweeper truck before you begin sweeping with it:
4 Check the Wide sweep broom adjustment. This is one of the most important pre-sweeping checklist items. The sweeper misses a lot if used without making the right adjustment.
4 Check Suction Nozzles to ensure that no tires are missed, as this can create major damage to the suction nozzle!
Bucher Municipal pavement sweeping equipment is unsurpassed in performance and long-term durability. As John Kidwell has pointed out, considering the longevity of so many of the critical components of some of the oldest Bucher equipment customers are still using in their daily operations are original, “That speaks to the quality of the OEM Johnston/Bucher parts.”
The way to ensure maximum longevity of your Bucher equipment is first to identify the model that best fits your street sweeping service’s needs. For guidance, start by obtaining a free copy of this helpful industry report by Bucher: “The 5 Things You Must Know Before Buying a Street Sweeper” at www. buchermunicipal.com.
For information about Bucher Municipal North America Inc., Mooresville, NC, its pavement sweeper products, or equipment maintenance recommendations, call (704) 658-1333, or visit https://www.buchermunicipal. com/us/en/contact-support.
Sources
Ref article: NAS: The Secret to Street Sweeper Longevity? https://nasweeper. com/?p=1257
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU STROLLED DOWN A SPOTLESS STREET? DID YOU NOTICE HOW MUCH EASIER IT WAS TO BREATHE, HOW SAFE THE SIDEWALK FELT, OR HOW INVITING THE NEIGHBORHOOD SEEMED? ODDS ARE, A STREET SWEEPING OPERATOR PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THAT EXPERIENCE. THESE OFTEN-OVERLOOKED WORKERS KEEP ROADS FREE OF DEBRIS, REDUCE POLLUTION, AND EVEN HELP PREVENT ACCIDENTS. BUT HERE’S THE CATCH: THEIR WORK BECOMES FAR MORE CHALLENGING WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING AND CAN EVEN BECOME DANGEROUS. SO WHY DOES TRAINING MATTER SO MUCH? LET’S BREAK IT DOWN.
Operators have to monitor traffic patterns, avoid hazards like storm drains and adjust the angle of the brushes for optimal cleaning.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A STREET SWEEPING OPERATOR
Picture this: you’re navigating a large, noisy machine through crowded city streets, dodging pedestrians, debris and sudden surprises like potholes or reckless drivers. That’s what street sweeping operators face daily. It’s not just hopping in and pushing a button. These workers juggle operating complex machinery, managing traffic and staying sharp in unpredictable conditions.
For someone new to the job, it might seem straightforward at first. Just guide the machine and let it do the work, right? But the reality is far more complicated. Operators have to monitor traffic patterns, avoid hazards like storm drains and adjust the angle of the brushes for optimal cleaning. Without proper training, the learning curve can be steep, and mistakes can lead to safety risks or ineffective results.
TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE A MUST
1. Getting More Done, Faster
Proper training gives operators the skills to work efficiently. With hands-on practice and guidance, they can tackle more streets in less time, reducing delays and mistakes. This efficiency means streets stay cleaner, and the whole operation runs more smoothly. This makes life a little better for everyone, whether they’re walking to work, driving through town or simply enjoying a tidier neighborhood.
2. Staying Safe on the Job
Imagine this: an operator misjudges how to handle the machine while near a crowded intersection. The potential for disaster is huge. Proper training prepares operators for the real-world risks they face daily, like navigating busy roads, handling hazardous materials or dealing with unexpected equipment malfunctions.
3. Saving Money in the Long Run
A city skips training to save a few bucks. A year later, they’re paying for costly repairs, worker injuries and higher turnover because frustrated operators keep quitting. Cutting corners costs more in the end while investing in training can prevent those headaches altogether.
4. Pride in a Job Well Done
When operators know their stuff, it shows. Confidence in their abilities improves their performance and fosters a sense of pride in their work. This satisfaction can lead to happier employees and cleaner streets for the community.
WHAT MAKES TRAINING EFFECTIVE?
Not all training programs are created equal. The best ones focus on skills operators use every day, such as: 4 Hands-on experience: Nothing beats time behind the wheel of a street sweeper. Practical, real-world application is what gives operators the confidence
to handle various scenarios effectively.
4 Safety drills: From avoiding accidents to managing hazardous spills, operators need to be prepared for anything. Regular drills make sure that they’re ready for the unexpected.
4 Environmental knowledge: Operators learn how to dispose of debris responsibly to protect ecosystems, reducing the risk of polluting waterways or harming local wildlife.
4 Teamwork: Communication and coordination with other crews are critical for success, whether it’s managing routes or responding to emergencies.
When operators receive this kind of training, the results are tangible: smoother operations, safer streets and a reduced environmental footprint. It’s a win for operators, municipalities and communities alike.
At the end of the day, investing in training for street sweeping operators isn’t just about making their jobs safer or more efficient. It’s about creating cleaner, safer and more vibrant communities for everyone. When streets are free of debris and well-maintained, neighborhoods feel more inviting, businesses thrive and residents can take pride in their surroundings.
Subscribe to North American Sweeper Magazine for in-depth articles, industry news and expert insights that keep you connected to the people and programs making a difference.
CLEAN STREETS ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS. LET’S KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING!
elginregenx.com
909-713-1600 / globalsweeper.com
866-994-4929 / gregoryhighway.com KeyStone
800-635-5238 / kpbrush.com
/ mascosweeper.com
313-343-4328/800-372-5007/sharpcosweepershoes.com
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/ nitehawksweepers.com
/ balaisnomad.com
