Brushes for Municipal Street Sweeping Fleets: A Fleet Guide
Industry guide · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-24
A municipal sweeping fleet goes through brushes faster than almost any other consumable. Gutter brooms grind along kerbs and concrete gutters every shift, main brooms wear against asphalt, and both pick up wire, glass and stones that shorten their life. For fleet managers, brush cost per kilometre swept and the time a sweeper sits waiting for a broom both matter.
This guide looks at the brushes used on the three main sweeper types, how fill choice affects cleaning and wear, how to keep a mixed fleet stocked, and what a factory needs to quote replacements that bolt on correctly the first time.
1. Sweeper types and the brushes they use
The US Federal Highway Administration describes mechanical broom sweepers as the most widely used street cleaning equipment in the US. They use a rotating gutter broom to bring material out of the gutter and a main broom to throw it onto a conveyor. Vacuum-assisted and regenerative air sweepers also use gutter brooms to loosen material, but pick it up by suction or by blowing air onto the pavement and drawing it back in.
| Sweeper type | Brushes used | Total solids removal (FHWA table) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical broom | Gutter broom(s) + main/cylinder broom | 55% | Lower cost; can create a lot of airborne dust |
| Vacuum-assisted | Gutter broom(s); vacuum pickup | 93% | Better on fine sediment; weaker on wet streets |
| Regenerative air | Gutter broom(s); air pickup | Not given in same table | PM-10 removal reported at 31.4% |
2. Gutter brooms: poly, wire or mixed
The gutter broom does the hardest work. Poly (polypropylene) fill is quieter and gentler on painted kerbs and paving, flat steel wire digs out compacted dirt and weeds, and mixed poly-and-wire brooms are the common compromise for routes with varied surfaces. Our range includes flat-wire, poly and mixed brooms, for example a side broom for Johnston VT650 in 3.3 × 0.6 mm flat steel wire and a gutter broom for Dulevo 5000 in a poly and flat-wire mix.
Our guide on how to choose a road sweeper gutter broom goes deeper into fill choice and fit.
3. Main brooms and wafer sections
Main (pickup) brooms come either as complete tube brooms with fill wound or strip-set on a core, or as stacks of wafer or ring sections slid onto a reusable core. Wafer sections let a depot rebuild a broom in-house, which reduces freight and storage for large fleets. Fill options again run from polypropylene through PP and steel wire mixes to all-wire.
Our step-by-step guide to rebuilding a main broom with wafer sections shows how a depot can do this in-house.
4. Wear checks for fleet maintenance
- Measure gutter broom length regularly; once bristles are too short to reach the gutter at the correct angle, the broom polishes rather than sweeps.
- Check the gutter broom contact pattern on a flat surface; it should touch in an arc in front of the broom, not across its whole face.
- Look for broken or missing wire segments, cracked backing plates and loose mounting bolts.
- On main brooms, check for flat spots, uneven diameter along the length and wrapped wire or strapping.
- Record broom changes by vehicle and route; this shows which routes need wire and which can run on poly.
5. Stocking brushes for a mixed fleet
Most municipal fleets run several sweeper makes. Keeping a cross-reference of OEM part numbers against broom dimensions, bolt patterns and fill makes it easier to consolidate suppliers and hold fewer distinct parts. Our sweeper brush cross-reference guide shows how to record the measurements that matter.
Seasonal patterns matter too. Leaf season and post-winter grit clean-up both increase broom consumption, so order ahead of those peaks rather than during them.
6. What to send for a quote
Send your list through Request a Quote. Photos of the old broom with a tape measure across it are often enough to start.
- Sweeper make and model, and the OEM part number if available.
- Gutter broom: outside diameter, number and spacing of mounting holes, centre bore, plate type and bristle angle.
- Main broom: length, outside diameter, core type, drive ends; for wafers, inside and outside diameter and width.
- Fill: poly, flat wire, round wire or mix, and the surfaces and debris on your routes.
- Annual quantity per part and preferred delivery schedule.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a gutter broom and a main broom?
- The gutter (side) broom is the disc-shaped brush at the front corner that pulls debris out of the gutter and kerb line. The main broom is the horizontal cylinder under the sweeper that lifts debris onto a conveyor or towards the pickup.
- Should I use poly or steel wire gutter brooms?
- Poly suits light debris, leaves and painted or decorative surfaces. Flat steel wire suits compacted dirt, weeds and heavy grit. Mixed poly and wire brooms are a common all-round choice for varied municipal routes.
- Do vacuum and regenerative air sweepers still use brushes?
- Yes. According to the FHWA, both use gutter brooms to loosen material and bring it into the pickup path; they replace the main broom and conveyor with suction or recirculated air.
- How do I order a replacement broom for a sweeper I cannot identify?
- Measure the outside diameter, centre bore and mounting-hole pattern (gutter broom) or length, diameter and core ends (main broom), note the fill, and send photos. That is usually enough to match the broom.
Related products
Need help choosing or a custom spec?
Send us your machine, drawing or requirement — we'll match the right brush and quote, usually within one business day.