Just about every project this season will need a broom to prep the surface for treatment, clean away stray millings, make way for striping and so on, so let’s take a minute to ensure the broom is ready for duty. Your new laborers need to know that allowing this machine’s bristles to wear and fray (or neglecting to grease vital rotation points) means less efficiency on the job.
- Lubrication. The general laborer who is assigned to run the broom should take responsibility for keeping up with its greasing schedule. Make sure you don’t over-grease, of course. By this machine’s very nature, dust and debris will collect everywhere, especially in the fittings for articulation, if they’ve been over-greased.
- Lights. Take a look at lights. Change out bulbs before you get to the project so you have safe lighting when you need it.
- Tires. Check the tires for wear. When you inflate to optimum air pressure (for most brooms, you’re looking at 32 pounds), does the tire hold that?
- Bristles. Inspect the broom core and bristles. It only takes 90 minutes or so to change that out. An hour and a half today during other maintenance activities is nothing; an hour and a half in the middle of a mill-and-fill operation will feel like an eternity.
- Water System. Another vital system to check is the water system. Because worker health is dependent on having a functioning water system (and OSHA has rules), double-check this. Clean the filters, hoses and tanks before you get to the job site.
What else does your operator’s manual include so you have all parts of the broom ready to go for safest, smoothest and cleanest operation? Let’s talk about it online and share ideas. And if any of the steps above feel unfamiliar after the winter break, you can get a refresher course online from AsphaltPro. It’s a one-time cost to have lifetime access for your entire crew at https://training.theasphaltpro.com/.
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