Selecting the Right Floor Scrubber or Sweeper

Do You Need a Walk-Behind or Ride-on Machine?

When you are looking at a walk-behind scrubber vs a ride-on scrubber it may not look like a big difference at first. Quite often, a good portion of many facilities’ cleaning budgets is in labor. In larger areas, a ride-on sweeper would be superior because it not only decreases the time it takes to clean the area but also decreases your labor costs.

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Walk-behind floor cleaning equipment is typically best suited for cleaning smaller areas or facilities, especially those that may be difficult to maneuver with bulkier equipment. The price is also less than ride-on equipment, but that should not be the first — and definitely not the only — reason to purchase.

Using a walk-behind sweeper on a larger area will shorten the life of the equipment, and you won’t see the long-term impact of labor savings. A walk-behind also requires a certain amount of physical exertion which is also difficult to sustain over a larger cleaning surface. Ride-on machines are faster and therefore better for larger areas.

Take the time to assess the area to be cleaned and note any special needs you might have regarding how that space can best be cleaned.

Choosing the Right Machine for the Job

There are many factors that should be considered when choosing the right industrial floor cleaning equipment for the job. You may have other needs than those listed here that strongly influence your buying decision, but what we’ve listed here are areas that most people use to guide their floor cleaning machine choices.

• Sweep or Scrub? This is the first consideration you need to make as you approach your purchase of a cleaner. Look at what is being cleaned. If you are dealing with light, bulky debris or heavy or wet debris, a sweeper may be the best choice. Fine dust or dirt like what is brought in by foot traffic, floor marks or grease is likely best handled with a combination sweeper-scrubber.  Combination sweeper scrubbers save you money on machinery with their two-in-one systems.
• Size of the space to be cleaned. Look at the total square footage of the area to be cleaned. It is probably more cost-effective and efficient to clean larger areas with a ride-on machine while smaller areas may be better served with a walk-behind.
• Cleaning path sizes. Assess key areas like the width of the narrowest aisle, if any of the aisles are a dead end (meaning the machine has to turn around), and the narrowest area (such as a doorway) that the machine needs to pass through for cleaning or for dumping.
• Type of floor surface. With scrubbers and sweepers, you can choose the type of brushes to use. This means you have to consider your floor surface and the soils to be removed. Are you mainly dealing with a finer dust? Then you want a Nylon or Polyester brush. Heavier soils or debris may call for a wire reinforced broom. A squeegee blade that is at least 95% pure natural rubber is good on rough and uneven floors. A a gum rubber squeegee is better for finished, smoother surfaces.
• Labor rate vs Machine cost. Based on the labor savings that are typically achieved by switching to efficient cleaning equipment, most facilities see a quick return on their investment. This helps to determine the best machine for your facility and factors it into your cleaning budget.
• Maintenance. Any equipment requires maintenance to keep it working efficiently and effectively. It is best to assign upkeep and maintenance of the equipment to a single person. Or consider a service agreement to ensure it stays in peak condition and any issues are identified and fixed quickly.

Finding the right machine for the job is important. Trust Burns Industrial Equipment to assist you in finding the right piece of equipment to serve your needs and keep you under budget. We carry both Factory Cat and Tennant industrial floor cleaning equipment. These brands deliver the most cost-effective floor cleaning equipment with features that can boost your business to maximum productivity.

 Article provided by Tennant Company

Choosing the right walk-behind or ride-on floor scrubber is only part of the cleaning equation: the floor scrubber pads you use are just as important. The color of floor pads indicates their scrubbing aggressiveness. Every color is designed specifically for different applications. We break down the varying floor scrubber pad colors below to help you choose the best one for your equipment and needs.

Black Floor Scrubber Pads

These are the most aggressive of all floor scrubber pads. They will remove all finish from flooring and are used for complete stripping. Black pads have an open weave that removes finish without “clogging.” These floor pads may be best if you need to remove floor finish from smooth concrete, industrial flooring or commercial vinyl.

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Brown Floor Scrubber Pads

Brown floor scrubber pads are slightly less aggressive than black pads. These can be used for stripping certain types of flooring and for deep cleaning very dirty floors. They shouldn’t be used on soft flooring, but they can be used on smooth concrete or commercial vinyl flooring.

Green Floor Scrubber Pads

Less aggressive than their brown and black counterparts, green floor scrubber pads are great for both routine cleaning and scrubbing and recoating. These pads are ideal for applications where aggressive cleaning is needed without removing finish. Green floor pads can be used on softer floors, like linoleum, than brown pads.

Blue Floor Scrubber Pads

Blue pads are perfect for routine cleaning on hard floors with moderate soil levels. They are able to remove heavy marks and soils and can be used to prep floors for recoating and burnishing. Suitable for applications from 300 to 500 RPM, blue floor pads may also remove a thin layer of emulsion polishes.

Red Floor Scrubber Pads

Typically used for floors with light levels of soil, red pads can remove debris and dirt while restoring a shine to hard surface floors.

Beige Floor Scrubber Pads

Less aggressive than their red counterparts, beige floor pads are often used for spray cleaning before buffing. They can also be used for routine cleaning on floors that are lightly soiled.

Light Blue Floor Scrubber Pads

Opt for these pads during the burnishing process. Burnishing polishes hard floors, leaving them looking like new with a noticeable shine. To achieve that shiny finish, use them on waxed floors at speeds up to 2000 RPM.

White Scrubber Pads

The softest option, white floor scrubber pads are for burnishing. Because they are the softest type of floor pad, they leave the brightest shine. Avoid using them at high speeds and stick to medium speeds of about 350 RPM to prevent overheating.

Choosing the right floor scrubber and pads is essential to cleaning efficiency and productivity. We are happy to recommend the best floor scrubbers and pads for your needs in Los Angeles, San Diego, the Central Valley, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information!

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