Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for adjusting a preselected sweeping area width of a revolving roll-type brush rotatable around an axis for the cleaning of roadways, airport runways and the like, wherein the spacing between the axis of the revolving brush and the surface to be cleaned is altered for adjusting the sweeping surface, or area swept, and wherein, for the dimensioning of the nominal spacing, the brush diameter is detected by means of a sensor and the spacing of the brush axis from the surface to be cleaned is adjusted according to the diameter of the revolving brush. The actual spacing between the brush axis and the surface to be cleaned is measured and when there are deviations between the nominal and the actual spacing, the spacing of the brush axis and the surface to be cleaned is readjusted to the desired nominal spacing by a control circuit in order to assure that a preselected sweeping surface width or width of the area swept is maintained.