rotary broom and ice scraper

[dylan]

Hi everyone

Does anyone have a rotary broom that they use on their TC?

I was thinking it might be handing for handy those little half inch snowfalls that more and more customers are asking me to clean up. My bucket, blower and plow are not too effective for little snow amounts.

You can also see my ice scraper. It attaches to the bucket and easily peels up hard packed snow and ice. Just another tool in the toolbox.

Thanks dylan

 

[theoshin]

I LIKE MY 84" BROOM FOR LIGHT SNOW.

ALSO USE IT OFTEN TO CLEAN UP ALL THE LEAVES AND PINE NEEDLES THAT DROP ALL FALL.

TS

 

[dylan]

Thanks for the reply.

Does your broom spin in both directions? I was thinking it would be handy to sweep in reverse to pull the snow away from garage doors and then turn around and push the snow down the driveway. Saves getting in and out and shovelling by hand.

84" sounds pretty good. It will make fast work of those driveways.

thank dylan

 

[brittgers]

I LIKE MY 84" BROOM FOR LIGHT SNOW.

ALSO USE IT OFTEN TO CLEAN UP ALL THE LEAVES AND PINE NEEDLES THAT DROP ALL FALL.

TS

Any photos of the broom attachment in use or mounted on toolcat would be great!

 

[theoshin]

exactly what i wanted - but no go on any reversing broom. too dangerous. you would be throwing material onto the machine which would take a beating - the lawyers also would not allow it - too much liability when a rock hurdles at your windshield. it would be easy to have our hydro engineer put a reverse switch in but not a safe idea.

one note - if you have a double wide garage you may be able to broom a good amount of the width going perpendicular as the tc has such a tight turning radius - it matters how much space you have

you need to demo one. it is very expensive but works well. only downside is that your tc ends up pretty dirty when brooming dirt/leaves/needles from the dust it kicks up.

ts

 

[dylan]

Hm, my wheels are turning. I understand the safety aspect but I was only considering its use for snow, not dirt and debris. Perhaps a nicely placed shield would help keep it off the front of the machine. I could idle it down as well so it is not throwing so hard.

Good point about cleaning the front of the double garages.

I have seen a 3ph mounted sweeper that pushed away or swept towards the tractor and it was reversible. I'll have to look for that model again.

I will rent one and give it a testing.

Thanks dylan

 

[theoshin]

yes, i thought about that too. i will try it a full season before deciding wether to try the reverser. let me know if you build/design a shield that works!

ts

 

[dylan]

Just got off the phone with the guys from quick attach. They used to make a reversable broom but too many people were trying to switch from one direction to the other without waiting for the broom to stop rotating. Thus, they would strip the splines on the shaft.

They said it is simple to do but any brooms sold that way did not have a warranty.

My next question is:
Do you guys perfer poly bristles or a mix of wire and poly.
I heard the wire cuts through snow and ice better.

Thanks dylan

 

[dylan]

Just found out that my local rental shop does not have any brooms in stock for rentals. However, my bobcat dealer graciously lent me a 68" broom to try for a few days.

I am quite inpressed. Anything loose it moves right along and really cleans up well. I'm going to get some input from customers tomorrow and see if this is something they would like to see get used ( and of course pay extra for!) The cleaner surface really enhances safety and the drives look so much cleaner. I'd really be raising the service bar with this attachment.

I think the 7 foot model would suit the tc better. Just a bit extra room on both sides. I see having reverse on the broom as being essential. Some of my drives are so short that I will have to pull it backwards.

I did noticed that the poly bristles will not cut through ice or hard pack at all.

Anyone with any experience with a metal poly mix?

Thanks Dylan

 

[theoshin]

get the 84" the tc has no problem handling it.

ts