Airport Receives Second High-Speed Runway Broom October 15, 2009

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The Municipal Airport Authority took delivery of its second new high-speed runway broom for its snow removal and airport maintenance operation. Specifications for the broom were released in early March 2009 and the bid was awarded later that month. The new high-speed broom will accompany a similar broom delivered in 2006 and will replace an older broom currently in use.

Sheehan Mack of Sioux Falls was awarded the bid for the broom in the amount of $538,821.00. The truck portion was manufactured by Oshkosh Truck Corporation of Oshkosh, WI.

The 2009 Oshkosh HB Truck is an all-wheel drive, all-wheel steer unit and is powered by a 335 HP diesel engine. The broom portion of the unit was manufactured by M-B Company of Chilton, WI.

The 18' poly-steel broom is powered by a 475 HP Caterpillar engine. The broom truck is capable of cleaning the pavement at speeds up to 45 mph and has a bi-directional air blower capable of blowing up to 450 mph.

The maintenance operation at Hector International Airport will be more efficient with the addition of this new equipment. 

The Airfield Maintenance Staff is made up of 5 full-time and one-part time personnel. 

There is approximately 195 acres of paved surfaces on the air operations area at Hector that includes three runways and multiple taxiways and ramp areas.

Click here to view video of broom in operation (1mb wmv file)