The major sizing consideration with brooms is width.

These are not particularly complicated attachments to implement. Many sweepers come completely contained with the pickup and disconnect hoses routed, and the electrical kit already installed. A 14-pin electrical connection may also be required. That lower air volume maintains air circulation at levels where it’s not pushing more air through than it can handle – ultimately keeping more of the particulate within the unit and making it easier to fall within jobsite/local standards and regulations.Īll sweepers operated by compact construction equipment can be operated off the standard auxiliary hydraulics made available with the machine. Newer waterless systems feature a high-pressure, low-volume fan that is used to merely create a negative air pressure within the body of the broom that effectively eliminates the airborne particulate from escaping the container. These are effective, but when a system takes in high volumes of air, that air needs to escape somewhere – and with these systems, you still get dust that escapes into the surrounding environment. The most common of these older technology systems features high-volume suction that pulls the material into the unit and filters it through a particulate filter. Waterless systems have evolved over the years to further improve collection and keep dust levels down. Waterless systems attempt to capture the dust and material within the structure of the sweeper, but can still be quite dusty. Water kits are also available for angle sweepers but are not as common An additional factor important in some sensitive areas is the introduction of a fine slurry coat to the pavement through the process that could have storm water run-off implications. These systems are effective, but add a little extra time and cost to the equation: they require water storage somewhere on the machine (often on the roof or somewhere on the back of the machine), and the appropriate plumbing to pump the water into the broom. Water systems emit a fine mist that helps knock down dust, making the collected material heavier and stickier. There are additional options and components to consider with collector sweepers. They are also more suitable for use with heavier, clunky debris that cannot be easily removed by an angled sweeper.Īs it relates to rules and regulations – and the types of sites a contractor will be able to work on – a general rule of thumb is that a collector/pick-up broom will be suitable for working on a broader range of jobsites than an angle sweeper. This includes sites where airborne particulate and debris cannot be swept to the side, or where environmental laws and regulations require the suppression of dust and debris. These would also generally not be appropriate for indoor applications, or for use in residential neighborhoods where it could result in material being pushed into yards and driveways.Ī collector is likely more appropriate for most construction sites where the goal is the collection and pickup of debris from the site.

This style of broom does not offer any capture ability, and therefore may not be advantageous in applications where dust mitigation is a priority. There are also select turf applications where these brooms may be used. This style is common in snow removal, and with municipalities simply looking to sweep off shoulders or roadways. An angle broom does exactly what its name sounds like: it operates at an angle to the left or the right, and pushes material off the surface and away from the machine. There are generally two styles of brooms – angle and collector (or pick-up). And with new rules and regulations in place to protect workers and the community, erring on the side of greater containment/prevention may be your best bet. While relatively basic attachments, there are considerations to keep in mind when making your selection. This doesn’t apply to every construction site, but it does add significant weight to the selection process for broom and sweeper attachments for skid steers, compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders and backhoes. Other cities, sites and developers have their own rules about airborne particulate on the jobsite – rules that may disqualify contractors from participating if they don’t engage in approved dust mitigation practices. These rules apply to any site that will “drill, cut, crush, or grind silica-containing materials such as concrete and stone”. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued new rules related to exposure to silica dust on construction sites – those rules went into effect on June 23, 2016, and compliance for construction sites is required by June 23, 2017. Dust mitigation on jobsites is nothing new – but compliance with new OSHA regulations may impact broom/sweeper selection.

Broom sweeper