STREET SWEEPER AND MAIN BROOM SUSPENSION

摘要

ABSTRACTA self-propelled street sweeper including a mainframe, sweepings pick-up means underlying the main frameand a dirt box positioned on the frame for receiving thesweepings. A main broom is mounted at a rear end of themain frame adapted to sweep sweepings to the sweepings pick-up means or conveyor so the sweepings can be depositedinto the dirt box and having sweeping and road travelpositions. Means is provided for driving the main broomwhen in its sweepings position. Means is further providedfor suspending the main broom from the rear end of themain frame including suspension arms located onopposite sides of the main broom. Bearing means areprovided between the suspension arms and the opposite sidesof the main broom. Floating suspension means is operativelyconnected between the main broom and the main frameproviding a floating suspension for enabling the mainbroom to freely float on a ground supporting surfaceas the main broom is dragged behind the main frame inroad engagement. The sweeper including the main frameand the main broom has a longer overall length whenthe main broom is in its sweepings position as comparedto when the main broom is in a road travel position.Broom lift mechanism is connected with saidsuspension arms and is operatively inactive when the mainbroom is in floating suspension in its sweepings positionand which is operable to move the main broom forwardlythrough an arc out of road engagement over the main frameto its road travel position, thus then shortening the overalllength of the sweeper for road travel.