How To Choose the Best Broom Attachment for Skid Steer?

Table of Contents:

1. What to consider when choosing a skid steer broom attachment?
2. The Types of Skid Steer Broom Attachments
3. Broom Bristle Type

Broom attachments are a specific type of skid steer attachments used for a variety of clean-up activities within multiple industries. It is important to distinguish between the types of skid steer brush attachments to be able to choose the appropriate broom best suited to the task you must perform. Let us briefly explain the differences between the broom skid steer attachments to help you find the perfect broom attachment.

What to Consider When Choosing a Skid Steer Broom Attachment?

The Quality of the Broom Skid Steer Attachment

Quality is a key to choosing any type of attachment. After all, you want to use an efficient broom attachment not for one season but for many years. Pay attention to such features as:

Direct Drive System

Broom attachments with such systems have a longer lifespan due to one simple reason: direct-drive systems have fewer parts. Thanks to that, there are fewer parts to replace and the whole structure is safer and stronger.

Hydraulic Pressure Relief Valves

It is the part that protects the hydraulic system and the motor of the skid steer. When the broom hits an object, the relief valves relieve pressure from rising at the exact time of the hit, and the machine parts are protected from damage.

Motor Protection

Good broom motor protection is an important feature of any broom attachment because the motor is the most important and the most expensive part to repair. The component that protects the motor is called a guard and should provide easy access for maintenance. It should also have a safe location within the broom so that it does not get hit by any objects while sweeping.

Wafer Accessibility

Some wafers are difficult to access and replace therefore might turn out to be a big problem while conducting equipment repairs. The best broom attachments do not require disconnecting the hydraulics in order to remove bristles.

Weight

Heavier brooms mean heavier duty since they usually are built of thicker steel and have additional bracing.

The Types of Skid Steer Broom Attachments

There are two main skid steer attachments to choose from. To choose the one that suits you best, have a look at the brief descriptions of their features and uses:

Angle Broom Attachments

This type of attachment can also be called: a power broom, rotary broom, sweeper, or street sweeper. Rotary broom attachments operate at a specific angle, either to the right or to the left. They are used for such jobs as sweeping snow, dirt, or debris on parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, and streets. The characteristic feature of this type of attachment is its inability to capture the material. Therefore, it is rather unusual to use them in places where dust control is a very important factor. You will rarely see them being used indoors or in a residential neighborhood where they can clean one area but leave another area dirty instead.

Angle brooms have a few interesting options you can choose from:
- hydraulic angle brooms - those broom attachments give the operator the possibility to change the broom angle without leaving the cab
- brooms with deflector - deflector protects from flying material and by reducing the amount of dust and debris, improves operator's visibility

Pick Up Broom Attachments

This type of attachment is also called: a collector broom, collector sweeper, box broom, hopper broom, or simply a sweeper. Whatever the box broom sweeps it also collects, so there is no fear of uncontrolled dirt flying around. The debris accumulates in the bucket attached to the broom. Pick-up broom attachments often have a motor that can operate in two directions so it can sweep and collect while moving forward and in reverse. Pick-up skid steer brooms are mostly used in places where the focus is placed on the collection of unwanted material or where it cannot be swept to the side. You can see pick-up brooms on construction sites, roadways, warehouses, or factories. The lack of flying material has also another advantage - it will not cause any damage to nearby structures or vehicles. Thanks to its positive influence on the environment and surroundings, pick-up broom attachments seem like a perfect fit for various job sites. Unfortunately, they are more expensive than angle brooms.

Pick-up brooms have a few interesting options worth having a closer look at:
- broom attachments with water kits - help with the effective collection of unwanted dust; water kits create a mist that helps dust to stick to the collection area
- broom attachments with low profile water kit - help collect dust effectively but also do not block the operator's view
- broom attachments with gutter brushes - help with the collection of debris along curbs

Broom Bristle Type

It is also important to consider the bristles of your broom attachment. There are three types of bristles with three types of different builds and uses:

All Poly Bristles

Poly bristles provide the most sweeping power and swiftly move material in a non-aggressive way. They are the best option for delicate surfaces.

Alternating Bristles

Choose alternating bristles if you need to move material a little bit heavier than dust. They still should not damage most of the surfaces. Alternating bristles are a good fit for most job sites.

Wire Bristles

The most aggressive on the surfaces are wire bristles. They are designed for the toughest jobs and sweeping conditions and are guaranteed to damage the surface. They are most suited for cutting material.

Now that you know what type of broom attachment you are looking for it is time to browse the skidsteer.com assortment and choose your perfect skid steer broom.