116 NE 6th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97232
800-826-8492
503-234-5064
503-234-1270 fax
Manufacuter's of Custom Industrial Brushes since 1910
Brush Glossary, Materials, and Brush Construction Methods
Brush Filament
The following is a summary of the filament used in the construction of our brushes. In determining what filament
is right for your application, consider the temperature, water, sun, speed, and what the filament is coming in contact with. Natural
filaments will vary in diameter size, but our synthetics will have a wide range of sizes available. If you are replacing a
brush in an existing application, use a micrometer to measure the exact diameter of that filament.
Natural Filaments-A perfect choice for high heat or strict standard applications. See Synthetics for less expensive alternatives.
HORSEHAIR
Horsehair brushes are resilient and long lasting coming from the tail or mane. Horsehair is graded by degree of stiffness;
the stiffer the hair (from the tail), the higher the quality and generally the price. Excellent for sweeping polished surfaces,
horsehair is frequently blended with other materials in a wide variety of brush styles.
PALMYRA
Palmyra is a medium coase fiber from trees. Palmyra is a low cost fiber used in scrub brushes and floor brushes most
often.
TAMPICO
Tampico is an off-white fiber from the stalk of the Agave plant of Mexico. Widely used in scrub brushes or as a stiffner
with other fillings, tampico holds liquieds well and its texture is gentle to polished surfaces. It is widely used in applications
where resistance to high temperatures is necessary.
Synthetic Filaments-The right choice for most applications. TIP: Nylon absorbs, therefore should sink in water, Poly materials
will float.
NYLON
Nylon is the toughest wearing synthetic filament available. Nylon bristle discourage bacteria growth and resist most acids.
It is excellent for industrial and food service applications. Available as a straight or crimp shape and mostly offered
as white or black.
POLYESTER
Similar to nylon in many respects, but does not absorb moisture and tends to be slightly stiffer for comparative filament
diameters. Polyester performs well in both acidic environments and outdoors.
POLYETHYLENE (PEX)
This flexible filament is very efficient for thorough washing and polishing of delicate surfaces including
fruits and vegetables. Polyethylene is ideal for soft wiping instead of brushing action and is usually extruded in either an
"X" or triangle shape.
POLYPROPYLENE
This outstanding synthetic brush material is resistant to abrasion and most acids and solvents. Unlike nylon, polyprpylene
will not absorb moisture. Normally oval when extruded, polypropylene filament can be extruded in other shapes for additional
strength. Natural polypropylene is ultra-violet sensitive and is best if not used in high sunlight applications.
Metal Filaments-For aggressive and specialty applications.
CARBON STEEL WIRE
Typically used in scratch brushes, carbon steel wire provides good cleaning in dry environments.
BRASS WIRE
Rust-proof and spark resistant, brass provides gentle brushing action.
OIL TERMPRED WIRE (FLAT WIRE)
This is a stiff, hard-working resilient wire used in hand scratch and power driven brushes. Flat
wire is the most aggressive brushing material available.
STAINLESS STEEL WIRE
Rust-proof and very strong, stainless stell is used to prevent harmful ferrous deposits on brushed parts.
Most brushes are made with 304 stainless wire unless specifically tailored.
The following is a summary of the end fittings commonly used in the construction of our rotary brushes.
We offer a great selection of these end fittings for your custom brushes in all industries we serve and many are OEM compatible and
price competitive.
THROUGH BORE WITH/WITHOUT KEYS is our most common end fitting. We can drill a bore size to fit your shaft diameter and
key one or both ends. Regular steel and stainless are both available and has 2 set screws. Core diameter, bore size, and
how you need your keys drilled all need to be specified.
EXTENDED ALUMINUM SQUARE DRIVE can fit our tufted rollers and extends 1.25" on each end of the brush. Reference # XS2120.
FLUSH MOUNT ALUMINUM SQUARE DRIVE will fit our metal grip roller brushes and the hub will be flush with the ends of the brushes.
Reference # XS2112.
2" PLASTIC SQUARE DRIVE INSERT is meant specifically for lugged core brushes that work in machinery for peeling produce and is
flush with the core ends. Allows a square 2" shaft to pass through the brush. Reference # XS2264
SINGLE SLOT END FITTING is a plastic hub that is made specifically for agricultural processing maching. Reference # XS2260.
POLY 1" SQUARE, .75" INSERT fits any 1" square drive hub. Reference # XS2121.
POLY .75" IDLER fits inside the 1" poly square insert. Reference # XS2122.
TAPER LOCK HUBS are flush with end of the core, and are used so the brush face can be at the maximum length. Please inquire
about the various sizes, styles and bores.
1" PLASTIC SQUARE DRIVE HUB can be flush or recessed with a 2.625" brush core and is meant for tufted rollers. Works with 1"
poly square insert and poly .75" idler. Reference # XS2254.
CROSS SLOT END FITTING is a different version of our single slot plastic hub also made specifically for agricultural processing machinery.
Reference # XS2252.
Our trim options can greatly enhance agricultural product movement in your lines. Please inquire for your special
needs, and we can provide a trim option to correct product migration, adequate wax coverage and thorough cleaning.
STRAIGHT TRIM provides an even uniform trim across the entire surface for most cleaning, drying, washing, waxing and coating applications.
This is the most common trim, and works well for a versatile use.
HI-LO TRIM is specially cut to control directional flow and tumble produce from side to end for increased brush contact during the
waxing process with the tufted or metal grip roller brush. The wave-like trim alternates from brush to brush helping roll the
produce side to side. This rolling effect helps to ensure thorough coverage during the waxing process of produce.
SPEED TRIM helps direct produce through the production line when using the tufted brush. Excellent for oblong and irregular
shaped produce that migrates to one side or tends to stay stationary on the line. Our own special design works well in conjunction
when alternated with our tumble trim brush and will speed up rotation of produce. Works great for short brush lines.
TUMBLE TRIM rotates produce more efficiently to help coverage of contact of the brush to the surface of produce. Meant only
for our tufted brushes.
STANDARD ROWS for the agricultural industry on a 2-5/8" diameter core are 20, 24, and 26 row tufted brushes. For the larger
or smaller diameter tufted rollers, rows can vary depending on the produce coming in contact.
HEAVY ENDS TUFTED ROLLERS are an option used for helping the proudce move along straighter and to prevent it from trapping on the
sides of the lines. Heavy ends are made with tufted holes closer together or by adding more rows, thus giving the brush more
tufts in a smaller space. Standard in the agricultural industry are the 20, 24, 26, 32 and 36 row heavy ends that span 3" x
4", and even 6" on each side of the brush depending on the brush length.
DIRECTIONAL CANTING is a trim that can help move produce in specific directions to accomodate produce lines that might become
wider, narrower, or move from one side to another. Used in our tufted brushes.
ROOT CROP TRIM is for our metal grip rollers that offer efficient cleaning of the crevices of root crop produce.
RANDOM TRIM is used when the brush contact needs to clean in tight spaces. Ideal for root crop produce, any produce that my
have irregular shapes, or be in contact with dirt.
