We see a lot of lists. Do these things, do those things to succeed. Some are basic tips for sweeper truck owners that include advice like — change your oil, etc. Others dig a little deeper to feature ideas like — inspect the hydraulics, and so on. Yet others cover a more extensive range of recommendations to maximize sweeper truck and operator performance. This is that kind of list. It’s one of the most wide-ranging we’ve seen over the past half-decade. So, it’s worth pulling points from it to help complete your periodic assessment checklist for equipment maintenance and operations efficiency.
Maintenance of General Sweeper Truck Parts
Important advice for general maintenance of your sweeper trucks includes these and other routine inspection fundamentals:
- Brakes
For safe driving and to avoid damaging the brake rotors, check brakes routinely and change pads before they become excessively worn.
- Tires
Inspect tires regularly for wear or damage, maintain proper pressure, and rotate tires periodically to maximize their lifespan.
- Windshield Wipers
An often overlooked basic is the timely replacement of frayed or otherwise worn windshield wiper blades to maintain clear visibility for safety.
Key Sweeping Components for Routine Inspection
The functional sweeping equipment on the truck continuously incurs heavy wear and tear. So, all these parts require diligent upkeep to continue quality service to customers:
- Pickup Head
Routinely examine the sweeping head and adjust as necessary for efficient cleaning and to prevent premature wear.
- Gutter Brooms
Routinely examine curb brooms and replace brushes, as needed, to maintain optimum curb cleaning performance.
- Debris Hopper
The debris hopper should be cleaned every day that it’s in use, to avoid the buildup of debris that can cause vibrations that may lead to damage.
- Rubber Skirts
Inspect the rubber flaps designed to maximize the efficiency of particle removal by the vacuum head to ensure against wear that can compromise their effectiveness.
- Air Seals
Inspect the air seals frequently, and replace them as needed to ensure adequate air flow and strong vacuum cleaning action.
- Fan and Inlet
Check the condition of the fan and inlet daily for any accumulation of debris that can cause vibration and possibly lead to damage to the bearings and drivetrain.
- Hydraulics
Monitor and maintain the hydraulic system with regular filter changes and proper oil viscosity, and check wiper seals (a.k.a. dust seals).
Driver Safety and Operation Training
In addition to your sweeper truck parts, add these essentials for regular evaluation to your list, to ensure that your equipment is fully utilized and quality operations are maintained:
- Route Scheduling
To compete successfully in your market, use modern route mapping technology for most efficiently scheduling routes.
- Driver Training
Create a list of training points to cover with each new sweeper truck operator, including truck maintenance inspections and safety training, and track the training on each.
- Operating and Maintenance Manual
Upon delivery, review the operation and maintenance manual for each sweeper truck.
Additional Tips
There’s always more to know. Here are a few key things to do that often do not appear on lists of recommendations for new pavement sweeping business operators:
- Maintenance Tracking
Document your sweeper truck repairs and upkeep work to manage the condition of your equipment and your truck maintenance budget.
- Teach Customers to Prepare
Train customers to remember scheduled dates for pavement sweeping and to maintain proper tree trimming and move vehicles or other obstructions in preparation.
- Fuel Options
Learn the benefits of alternative fuels such as ethanol, natural gas, or biodiesel to reduce fuel costs.
The Best Sweeper Truck Maintenance Process
Good advice for pavement sweeping company owners ranges from routine inspections of general sweeper truck parts to advanced sweeping components. Advice beyond truck maintenance reaches into all areas of operations to help you protect your investment in this heavy equipment industry and optimize your service and safety.
To build the most effective and convenient pavement sweeper truck maintenance program for your business, create your own comprehensive checklist for daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly inspections of equipment components and reviews of sweeping business management processes. How? Adopt the best tips from other operators’ checklists shared here in NAS and through NAPSA formal sessions and open forums.