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• Non-CDL version available
• Mechanical sweeping to handle heavy applications like millings
• Independent broom control for in-the-cut precision
• Single engine for fuel economy and less maintenance
• Simple start-up procedure with easy-to-operate controls
It’s a rare case in which a first-gen commercial pavement sweeping business owner has spent virtually his entire career in professional roles within the industry. Such is the unique story of Adam Jakes, Owner and President, Quality Sweeping Service, in metro Minneapolis. Through the past 17 years, Jakes has grown his business on a slate of services including sweeping, pressure washing, striping, and erosion control. Now, by age 42, he has tenaciously built a
strong company on the singular objective of providing the top-quality solution to pavement care in the U.S. northern climate.
By the time of his daring business startup in 2008 at the young age of just 25, Adam had already been working in the industry for years as a mechanic. His dedication to his customers’ needs has elevated his brand in the Minneapolis market. Today, you can still expect to find him answering phones himself and
By the time of his daring business startup in 2008...Adam had already been working in the industry for years as a mechanic. His dedication to his customers’ needs has elevated his brand in the Minneapolis market.
working at customers’ job sites to deliver the best possible service.
ADAM JAKES – THEN AND NOW
In his youth, Adam earned money by picking up odd jobs. His skills and reliability drew an increasing amount of work, and he soon had a busy schedule of such jobs. One of his talents was auto mechanics. At age 21, he went to work for a major sweeper truck dealership as a mechanic and thrived there for the next four years.
We asked Adam what inspired him to advance into the pavement sweeping industry as a business owner and what his experience running his own company has been like. Here, he shares the story with NAS readers: I guess the mechanical challenges of the sweeping business are the most serious. Keeping the machines running is a big job, and I saw a lot of other companies struggling in that aspect. I thought, when a machine breaks down, I bet I can cover that.
I run the day-to-day operations, mechanical work, scheduling, etc. My wife, Rachel does the bookkeeping and financials, and our very inspiring 14-year-old son runs the backpack blower for parking lots and other areas in preparation for striping.
Around 70% of our business is as an on-call contractor, which includes road construction, construction site services, industrial sweeping, etc. The other 30% includes municipal services, parking lots and related needs, and about 30 housing developments. We do concrete grinding, line removal, and parking lot layout. We subcontract out the pressure washing for sidewalks, parking lots, parking garages, parking ramps, and other exterior surfaces.
We also provide a range of erosion control services, including inlet protection and maintenance, placing erosion control logs, embedding seed blankets, and silt fence installation and removal.
We serve the whole metro area, which is about a 70mile radius. We probably perform about 30 to 40 jobs per day. We currently have 5 employees, including my wife and me. Two of our other three have been with us 10 years and one has been with us 3 years. I personally trained them, got them CDL licenses, and taught them how to maintain the vehicles and equipment. That includes using a daily pre-trip checklist, how to grease, wash, and generally take care of the machines. I’ve also taught them what customers are looking for,
We look for opportunities to provide customers with all the benefits we can deliver to improve their properties
established developments are changing, and any new projects coming up.
and how to do a good job at every property. We are a union shop. Local 49 provides OSHA safety and environmental training.
I do all the scheduling, phone calls and bidding. Daily, I’m out on their job sites, performing services for customers in some cases. I reach out to customers every week to see what their plans are, what
We look for opportunities to provide customers with all the benefits we can deliver to improve their properties, from sweeping surrounding streets, parking lots, other paved areas, even runways in industrial facilities, for example. We improve general aesthetics, help ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain clean pavement for pride of ownership.
In our northern climate, gravel, salt, sand applied during winter are often compacted on paved areas in the spring. We remove these heavy materials using the necessary powerful brooms of commercial pavement sweeping trucks to remove that kind of particulate most thoroughly from the surface.
When I opened the business, I just went to the auction and bought a couple of the most affordable used sweeper trucks, rebuilt them and got started. One was a Schwarze and the other was an Elgin. (It was not an ODRA Broom Badger.)
Since then, I’ve bought 3 brand-new ODRAs. That’s one every year for the past 3 years. We also have 4 Tymco 600s and 4 Tennants. We don’t have any older equipment anymore. Every sweeper truck gets replaced every 4 to 5 years. Currently, we just use Tymco brand vacuum trucks and ODRA mechanical broom sweepers.
As I said, I think the main challenge for a sweeping business is keeping the equipment running and on the
road. ODRA is definitely superior in their operations, and their parts and service people are excellent to deal with anytime a machine needs something.
We rely 100 percent on word of mouth for new business. When you run a superior business, as we know we do, you can count on it always being that way. What makes our business superior to competing operations? Experience, efficiency, quality equipment, quality employees, and the reflection of all that in our happy customers.
I just checked the phone records. We take about 3,300 calls per month. We have no social media program. Our website was set up and is managed by professionals. We get calls from it. I don’t know how
continued on page 14
A clear theme emerges while talking with him about his business — elite level quality. And, he’s walking the walk consistently.
Advice for Newcomers to the Pavement Sweeping Industry from Adam Jakes, Quality Sweeping Service, Montgomery, MN.
many on average. I do feel our visibility online could be better.
Our plans for expansion? We get offers all the time to grow by acquiring other businesses. We’re just running an elite operation, and we can say we’re comfortable where we are.
Asked what advice he would give newcomers to pavement sweeping business ownership, he says simply: I would say success is driven off of 70% ambition and 30% brains. And, don’t take “no” for an answer. Overall, his message amounts to: If you really want to be in this business, don’t tell yourself you can’t do it and don’t let anyone else tell you that you can’t do it.
Talking with Adam Jakes, what stands out most is his intuitive approach to entrepreneurship in the unusually expensive heavy equipment industry of
commercial and industrial pavement sweeping is his fierce dedication to over-delivering on quality work performance and customer service. A clear theme emerges while talking with him about his business — elite
level quality. And, he’s walking the walk consistently, one customer at a time, to build a central northern US brand recognized as the very best in the region.
Its dedicated staff of talented workers, Adam’s mechanical expertise, and the whole team’s customer-centric service focus identify his company as the profile of a high-quality provider. From his humble beginning doing odd jobs in his youth, Adam Jakes has become an exemplar of the successful leadership mindset that has reshaped the industry and increased customer expectations throughout the US pavement sweeping market.
WE SEE A LOT OF LISTS. DO THESE THINGS, DO THOSE THINGS TO SUCCEED. SOME ARE BASIC TIPS FOR SWEEPER TRUCK OWNERS THAT INCLUDE ADVICE LIKE — CHANGE YOUR OIL, ETC. OTHERS DIG A LITTLE DEEPER TO FEATURE IDEAS LIKE — INSPECT THE HYDRAULICS, AND SO ON. YET OTHERS COVER A MORE EXTENSIVE RANGE OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAXIMIZE SWEEPER TRUCK AND OPERATOR PERFORMANCE. THIS IS THAT KIND OF LIST. IT’S ONE OF THE MOST WIDERANGING WE’VE SEEN OVER THE PAST HALF-DECADE. SO, IT’S WORTH PULLING POINTS FROM IT TO HELP COMPLETE YOUR PERIODIC ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST FOR EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS EFFICIENCY.
Inspect tires regularly for wear or damage, maintain proper pressure, and rotate tires periodically to maximize their lifespan.
MAINTENANCE OF GENERAL SWEEPER TRUCK PARTS
Important advice for general maintenance of your sweeper trucks includes these and other routine inspection fundamentals:
• BRAKES - For safe driving and to avoid damaging the brake rotors, check brakes routinely and change pads before they become excessively worn.
• TIRES - Inspect tires regularly for wear or damage, maintain proper pressure, and rotate tires periodically to maximize their lifespan.
• WINDSHIELD WIPERS - An often overlooked basic is the timely replacement of frayed or otherwise worn windshield wiper blades to maintain clear visibility for safety.
continued on page 18
The functional sweeping equipment on the truck continuously incurs heavy wear and tear. So, all these parts require diligent upkeep to continue quality service to customers:
• PICKUP HEAD - Routinely examine the sweeping head and adjust as necessary for efficient cleaning and to prevent premature wear.
• GUTTER BROOMS - Routinely examine curb brooms and replace brushes, as needed, to maintain optimum curb cleaning performance.
• DEBRIS HOPPER - The debris hopper should be cleaned every day that it’s in use, to avoid the buildup of debris that can cause vibrations that may lead to damage.
• RUBBER SKIRTS - Inspect the rubber flaps designed to maximize the efficiency of particle removal by the vacuum head to ensure against wear that can compromise their effectiveness.
• AIR SEALS - Inspect the air seals frequently, and replace them as needed to ensure adequate air flow and strong vacuum cleaning action.
• FAN AND INLET - Check the condition of the fan and inlet daily for any accumulation of debris that can cause vibration and possibly lead to damage to the bearings and drivetrain.
• HYDRAULICS - Monitor and maintain the hydraulic system with regular filter changes and proper oil viscosity, and check wiper seals (a.k.a. dust seals).
continued on page 20
To compete successfully in your market, use modern route mapping technology for most efficiently scheduling routes.
In addition to your sweeper truck parts, add these essentials for regular evaluation to your list, to ensure that your equipment is fully utilized and quality operations are maintained:
• ROUTE SCHEDULING - To compete successfully in your market, use modern route mapping technology for most efficiently scheduling routes.
• DRIVER TRAINING - Create a list of training points to cover with each new sweeper truck operator, including truck maintenance inspections and safety training, and track the training on each.
• OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE MANUALUpon delivery, review the operation and maintenance manual for each sweeper truck.
There’s always more to know. Here are a few key things to do that often do not appear on lists of recommendations for new pavement sweeping business operators:
• MAINTENANCE TRACKING - Document your sweeper truck repairs and upkeep work to manage the condition of your equipment and your truck maintenance budget.
• TEACH CUSTOMERS TO PREPARE - Train customers to remember scheduled dates for pavement sweeping and to maintain proper tree trimming and move vehicles or other obstructions in preparation.
• FUEL OPTIONS - Learn the benefits of alternative fuels such as ethanol, natural gas, or biodiesel to reduce fuel costs.
Good advice for pavement sweeping company owners ranges from routine inspections of general sweeper truck parts to advanced sweeping components. Advice beyond truck maintenance reaches into all areas of operations to help you protect your investment in this heavy equipment industry and optimize your service and safety. To build the most effective and convenient pavement sweeper truck maintenance program for your business, create your own comprehensive checklist for daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly inspections of equipment components and reviews of sweeping business management processes. How? Adopt the best tips from other operators’ checklists shared here in NAS and through NAPSA formal sessions and open forums.
Bucher Municipal, of globally renowned Bucher Industries, offers an unparalleled variety of street sweeper designs, including truck-mounted sweepers, twin-engine, single-engine hydrostatic, and compact models. From heavy-duty street sweepers for road construction to compact models for optimal maneuverability in congested urban centers, Bucher builds sweepers for all purposes. Todd Parsons, General Manager, Bucher Municipal, shares with us his
advice on selecting the best street sweeper for specific applications.
Parsons is the industry’s foremost expert on Bucher’s state-of-the-art equipment and among the world’s leading authorities on advanced street sweeping technologies. Here, he offers NAS readers key insights on how to select the best type of sweeper for your particular application. For example, he provides recommendations for the right sweeper type to
Parsons is the industry’s foremost expert on Bucher’s state-of-the-art equipment and among the world’s leading authorities on advanced pavement sweeping technologies.
use for construction site cleanup, milling operations, parking lot maintenance, municipal street sweeping, industrial site maintenance, or other purposes.
While some manufacturers offer only one or two types of sweepers, Bucher Municipal has a comprehensive selection. Here’s a quick look at the full range of Bucher sweeper models:
In Bucher’s truck-mounted sweepers, there is a more advanced use of technology than the industry standard for this class, delivering unequalled sweeping results and significantly reducing the cost of ownership: MaxPowa V-Series: This line features the V50, V65, and V80 models, popular for their unmatched first-pass sweeping performance and overall efficiency in a wide range of applications.
• MaxPowa V80/V65/V50: This premier Bucher sweeper features “first-pass sweeping” and the patented hydrostatic drive for precision control in dense urban environments and a single-engine alternative for minimized maintenance. (Like an automatic transmission, the hydrostatic option makes driving simpler. But it uses hydraulic fluid for power transfer instead of a system of clutches and gears as in regular automatic transmissions).
• MaxPowa E35m: The “bulldozer” of street sweepers, this is Bucher’s large single-engine mechanical sweeper, made for simpler functioning and maintenance.
• MaxPowa R65m: The R65m is a single-engine regenerative air sweeper designed for high performance at a low cost and low impact on the environment.
Bucher’s compact and mid-compact sweeper models excel in servicing central business districts, as do the
Bucher’s compact and mid-compact sweeper models excel in servicing central business districts, as do the company’s subcompact options... continued on page
company’s sub-compact options for bike paths, trails, and parking decks:
CityCat Series: This innovative line of sweepers for pavement maintenance in city centers Includes industry-leading models:
• CityCat 5006: This design is engineered for ideal maneuverability in the tightest areas. Electric models are available.
• CityCat V20e: The V20e option is also made for maximal maneuvering to clean around obstacles in small spaces. Electric models are available.
Bucher is among the first manufacturers in the industry to have already rolled out its new line of electric street sweeper trucks. And, true to loyal customers’ expectations of the brand, it now offers the largest variety of incomparably fuel-efficient electric options:
CityCat V20e: It operates with zero emissions and can be fully charged in under 8 hours.
• City Cat VR50e: The VR50e has the same capacities as the diesel design, but it operates with zero emissions and can be fully charged in under 8 hours.
Just some of the important features of the industryleading Bucher brand street sweeper trucks include:
•
Bucher designs feature advanced stainless-steel mesh filtering screens along with air flow management...
Mechanical, Vacuum, and Regenerative Air
Sweeping: Bucher’s mechanical brooms, vacuum sweepers, and regenerative air designs are unsurpassed for debris cleanup.
• Dual-Engine System: This design enables the
chassis and sweeper to function independently, providing much greater power and flexibility for the operator.
• Hydrostatic Drive: Allows significantly increased efficiency with precision sweeper control, speed, and decreased operating costs significantly.
• Advanced Filtration: Bucher designs feature advanced stainless-steel mesh filtering screens along with air flow management that produce a cyclone effect to remove fine particulates in the vacuum system that prevent carryover and minimize fugitive dust in the atmosphere.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BUCHER’S
Todd Parsons explains the key street sweeper design features that make a particular Bucher model best for a specific application. For example, regenerative air vs. mechanical sweepers. As he concludes simply, “There should be a fit for any application based on the type of work the sweeper is expected to do 80% or more of the time.” Here Todd, explains his suggestions for matching sweeper trucks with tasks:
Our full line can be characterized by one of three simple classifications: pure vacuum, which is like a shop vac in the way it conveys debris into the hopper, regenerative air, which is a closed loop system (meaning it utilizes the air that the exhaust fan expels to move debris into the hopper, and the mechanical sweeper, which is like a “dust broom and dustpan on wheels”. Most construction sites, or spring cleanup jobs after winter, require a heavy-duty sweeper. The best option is a mechanical sweeper (a.k.a. “the bulldozer of sweepers”).
Pure Vacuum or Regenerative Air technology is superior for milling applications. It’s a lot more proficient and productive in cleaning the fines (micro dust particles left on the substrate from milling). If those are not removed thoroughly enough, they can cause the next layer applied to fail due to inadequate adherence. So, more meticulous cleaning is required in this application than in many other types. Over the last 5 years, more states’ DOT contracts have come to require an air sweeper for milling operations vs. a mechanical sweeper.
For Municipal Streets
Because parking lots are typically flat surfaces, a regenerative air sweeper model is likely to be your best option.
To determine which sweeper is best for public streets, consider what the condition of the street requires. Does it have a lot of overlay, a lot of crowning? What is the frequency of sweeping? Two times per month? Four times? How is the debris collected being handled? If you have a lot of crowning that requires following the contours of a road, the V65 is most versatile. It becomes a dual-purpose sweeper when cleaning storm drains is a requirement. It can generally go 10 feet deep to clean.
Because parking lots are typically flat surfaces, a regenerative air sweeper model is likely to be your best option. Since most parking lots, if done right, are flat, the head of a regenerative air sweeper designed for this application is normally 93 inches wide. It performs well on straight flat surfaces. As for maneuverability, it is challenged when faced with numerous light poles to work around, uneven surfaces and crowning of streets.
For All-purpose Use
Aapplication(s). Bucher Municipal believes the most important factor in achieving customer satisfaction is to discuss applications honestly and provide a recommendation without bias. This is the only way to obtain the best value for your investment in terms of performance, durability and reliability.
With those criteria in mind, you are well-advised to learn all you can about the unique features and benefits of the various innovative Bucher designs before investing in a street sweeper.
For more information about Bucher Municipal of Bucher Industries, call (704) 658-1333 or visit buchermunicipal.com.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RESOURCE FOR READERS
good multipurpose sweeper for a solo entrepreneur or a small business just starting out, the V65 is a strong choice. The pure vacuum is the best fit since it’s the most versatile. It will allow the operator to excel at many different kinds of applications he may be asked to perform. Even if it is used for work involving a large amount of buildup, being disciplined in maintaining the equipment can keep the sweeper in good condition over a long time. For best results, the operator should consult with a Bucher rep to discuss the sweeping application.
There are questions that are critical to get answered to secure the “best fit” in a street sweeper based on your
“5 Things You Must Know Before Buying a Street Sweeper?“ It offers a wealth of impartial information to help you decide which street sweeper is the ‘best fit” for your application. https://www.buchermunicipal. com/us/en/5-things-streetsweeper-report
RUNNING A STREET SWEEPING CREW DURING THE DAY IS ONE THING, BUT MANAGING AN OVERNIGHT CREW IS A DIFFERENT CHALLENGE ALTOGETHER. FROM TIRED WORKERS TO LIMITED VISIBILITY AND PUBLIC COMPLAINTS, NIGHT SHIFTS DEMAND A DIFFERENT APPROACH.
Street sweeping contractors know the value of night work. It avoids traffic and lets crews cover more ground — but there’s a cost. Fatigue, safety concerns and crew morale all hit harder at night. If you don’t plan for those issues, your team will burn out, or worse, make mistakes that damage property or cause injuries. Here’s how to keep overnight sweeping crews working safely and effectively.
FATIGUE IS THE FIRST PROBLEM
Street sweeping is already tough work. Add a midnight start time, and things get harder. Crews are tired, even
Supervisors need to watch for signs of fatigue
If a worker is zoning out, moving slower than usual or forgetting tasks, it’s time for a break. Some contractors rotate staff between day and night shifts to avoid long-term fatigue.
if they try to adjust their sleep schedule. Mistakes go up when people are exhausted, and we’re not just talking about dropping productivity, but about real safety risks.
Supervisors need to watch for signs of fatigue. If a worker is zoning out, moving slower than usual or forgetting tasks, it’s time for a break. Some contractors rotate staff between day and night shifts to avoid long-
term fatigue. That can help, but only if the transitions are managed carefully. Otherwise, people never get a regular sleep pattern and stay tired all the time.
During the day, it’s easier to reach city officials, clients or even mechanics. At night, communication slows down. If a sweeper breaks down at 2 a.m., the crew might not have support until morning.
Contractors can prepare by giving night crews direct contacts for emergencies. That could mean on-call mechanics or managers who are ready to take a call if something goes wrong. And daily debriefs — either before or after a shift — help teams pass on problems they ran into. That keeps the whole operation in sync.
You can’t expect new hires to handle a night route like a veteran. Visibility is worse, there’s less backup and the job feels more isolated. That calls for targeted training on both the equipment and the conditions.
Make sure night crews get extra time with their route maps. Use ride-alongs during early shifts to get them familiar with trouble spots, and emphasize safety over speed. Cutting corners to finish early leads to mistakes, especially at night.
Not everyone is happy to hear a sweeper rumbling down their street at 3 a.m. Complaints about noise are common, especially in residential areas. Some cities have curfews or noise ordinances that restrict work hours.
Contractors can get ahead of this by talking with
Working
in the dark increases
the risk of
accidents. Reflective gear, extra lighting on sweepers and slow driving speeds are non-negotiable. .
clients and municipalities about where and when it’s okay to sweep. In some cases, adjusting equipment to run quieter or rerouting to avoid tight neighborhoods can help.
Crews should also be trained on how to handle latenight interactions with residents. Most people won’t come out to talk, but if they do, workers need to stay calm and professional. A small argument can quickly escalate into a major complaint.
Working in the dark increases the risk of accidents. Reflective gear, extra lighting on sweepers and slow driving speeds are non-negotiable. It also helps to have a second person on the crew if the route is complex or near busy roads.
Dash cams and rear-facing cameras can make a big difference, especially when backing up. They’re for safety, but also to protect your business if there’s a claim of property damage.
Most people don’t want to work overnight, as it can feel lonely and thankless. Contractors who want
to keep good night crews need to put in effort to recognize the work.
That doesn’t mean bonuses every week. Even something simple like checking in after a tough shift or rotating routes to break the routine can help. Make sure crews understand their work matters and is valued. If you treat night work like second-tier duty, morale will drop fast.
STRONG NIGHT CREWS START WITH STRONG SUPPORT
Night sweeping isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. The key is treating night crews with the same level of planning, support and respect as daytime workers.
Handle fatigue, safety and communication headon. When crews feel prepared and supported, they perform better, regardless of the hour.
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