Clean Sweep: Maple Grove’s Latest Machine Removes Street Debris Faster

Maple Grove’s newest street sweeper is hitting roadways just in time for the fall thanks to a watershed grant. Public works leaders say this is an efficient and affordable way to keep the city’s waterways clean.

How New Street Sweeper Works

The new sweeper is more sophisticated than the city’s existing fleet of Pelican sweepers. When that fleet drives through neighborhoods to pick up street debris, it uses conveyor belts to lift it into the truck. The TYMCO 500x has air-regenerative technology that works like a vacuum. Heavy equipment operator Adam Gammon says it is at least 1.5 times as fast.

“I’ve put thousands of hours of time in the street sweeper,” Gammon said. “[The new sweeper] can pick up more volume at a little bit quicker pace.”

The drivers’ seat is equipped with buttons, lights and cameras — of all angles.

“I’ve got one that’s right directly underneath the truck that actually shows me the leaves and everything getting sucked up in that vacuum,” Gammon explained.

Gammon can view several camera angles on the console while the sweeper is at work.

Grant-Funded Pollution Control

The new sweepers were paid for in part by the Elm Creek, Shingle Creek and West Mississippi watershed districts. Derek Asche, Maple Grove’s water resources engineer, said each watershed paid for 25 percent, and the city covered the rest. The city will also be responsible for maintenance going forward.

“Street sweeping is the most cost-effective program we can operate to remove pollution from the street,” Asche said.

The watershed grants have a significant connection to street sweeping. Asche said pollutants often eventually end up in waterways in the city. Doing this is more affordable than alternative pollution control efforts such as dredging wetlands.

“Street sweeping allows us to pick up those pollutants before they get into the lake, the pond or the wetland,” Asche said. “We’re excited to get this out on the street and get this working this fall.”

Asche said the city hopes to share the new vehicle with neighboring cities. They’re planning to contact and work with Osseo in the near future.

For more information on street sweeping in Maple Grove, you can visit the city’s website.

The new street sweeper takes a spin on the roads around Maple Grove Public Works.

Maple Grove