AUTOMATIC SIDE BROOM STRIKE PATTERN POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR A STREET SWEEPING MACHINE

A sweeper vehicle may have an automatic side broom strike pattern positioning system including a plurality of actuators (e.g., pneumatic, hydraulic, and/or powered leadscrew) and a plurality of sensors (e.g., inclinometers and position sensors). The strike pattern may be maintained at a desired position as the side broom moves to different positions in a range of movement between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. The system may have an override feature by which a vehicle operator may interrupt the automatic side broom positioning to allow the vehicle operator to take direct control of one or more side brooms, including the broom deployment angle and broom pitch and roll to create desired strike patterns for the side brooms. Related methods are also described.