Our mechanical street sweepers in San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, Phoenix and San Diego from Elgin are perfect for sweeping granular materials and construction debris. Designed to tackle the toughest conditions on the road, mechanical sweepers need regular maintenance to continue to perform their best.
Mechanical street sweepers move debris via a conveyor belt and rollers or a chain and squeegee elevator. In this post, we will focus on maintaining the conveyor system.
Understanding a Street Sweeper Conveyor System
Most modern units feature a “modified chevron” belt design featuring cleats shaped like Vs (instead of flat cleats). The chevron cleats’ angles move collected debris to the hopper’s center for even distribution. Chevron cleats also feature ribbing to capture the finest dirt and debris. The result is a more efficient, clean sweep with reduced spillage.
Belt Training
This is essential for belt longevity. To “train” your belt, lower the conveyor to the operating position and let the belt run until it has reached operating temperature. Once it is pliable, adjust the tension so the belt neither sags nor sits too tightly. Sagging can damage the belt by allowing the metal pan underneath the conveyor to contact the cleats. Tension that is too tight can accelerate wear on the bearings that support the rollers.
Belt Tracking
After ensuring the correct tension on the belt, make sure that the belt is tracking in the middle of the conveyor frame. Lower the belt to the operating position and pull the sweeper forward approximately ten feet to allow the dirt shoes and deflectors to come into their operating positions. Check the belt as it travels and tighten the appropriate tensioner if it moves to the left or right.
Cleaning the Conveyor System
While some units, like the Pelican street sweeper, are equipped with wash-down functions, others have a valve to direct water to either the conveyor wash-down or tank.
Keep the lower roller area clean by flushing it thoroughly to remove debris. A build up of debris in this area can cause damages.
After washing, run the conveyor for a few minutes to dry the belt.
The service team here at Haaker is happy to suggest other routine and preventative maintenance for your street sweeper in San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, Las Vegas or Phoenix. Contact our team today to learn more!
