The first decision to make is whether you want a walk-behind or a ride-on floor scrubber. The biggest factor here is how much floor needs to be cleaned. Walk-behind floor scrubbers are great for small to medium areas. For large areas like warehouses, youre better off with a ride-on option.
Walk-behind floor-cleaning machines are less expensive and weigh less than ride-on scrubbers, but they can be difficult to manoeuvre around obstacles and tight corners. Ride-on floor scrubbers are larger and heavier, but theyre easier to move around since the machine does the grunt work. They also offer more suction than walk-behind floor scrubbers.
Both types of floor scrubbers require an operator, which means you should consider labour in your decision. A walk-behind floor scrubber might cost less upfront, but if it takes someone a lot longer to clean the necessary area, you might end up coughing those savings back up pretty quickly.
Would you like your floors to be 60-70% clean, or 95% clean? Most companies would prefer 95% and thats what you get with an industrial floor scrubber. When cleaning with a mop and bucket, the more you clean, the dirtier the water gets. Industrial floor cleaning equipment uses 100% clean water the entire time, leaving floors cleaner and more hygienic.
Though the upfront cost is higher, commercial floor cleaning equipment can quickly pay for itself over time. For example: an employee with a mop and bucket can clean 4,000-5,000 square feet in one hour. A small automatic floor scrubber can clean almost 13,000 square feet in the same amount of time. Larger machines can clean more than 100,000 square feet per hour a hard-working human would need 20 hours to do the same job.
If youre ready to get cleaner floors in less time, heres a checklist to help with buy the right floor scrubber and avoid expensive mistakes.
Floor Scrubber Basics
The efficiency and cleaning power of automatic floor scrubbers have made them standard cleaning equipment for schools, shopping centers, hospitals, gyms, etc. The scrubber dispenses cleaning solution and clean water as it moves along the floor. The scrubbing head loosens soils and collects oil and grease, and dirty water is sucked up by the solution recovery system.
Industrial floor scrubbers:
Floor Scrubber Buying Checklist
How Large is the Surface Area That Needs to Be Cleaned?
Take a close look at the spaces that need to be cleaned. You might want a ride-on or walk-behind floor scrubber depending on your space and operation size.
Its important to know the widths of your aisles to prevent expensive mistakes like ordering a unit with a squeegee thats too large (narrow squeegee kits are available). Youll also want to know the incline grades on any ramps where the machine may travel.
Link to Felici Machinery
What Type of Debris Needs to Be Cleaned
The type of debris, and the volume to be collected are also good to know. A floor scrubber with a pre-sweep brush head is a smart option for some, but unnecessary for others.
Where Will the Operator Empty and Refill the Machine?
Make sure you have space (and a hose) to refill the machine and drain out the dirty water. Extra-long drain hoses are typically available from the manufacturer, ask your local dealer. Also, check local regulations about disposing of wastewater.
Whats Your Budget?
Buying industrial cleaning equipment is a big cash outlay compared to a mop and bucket. But when you consider, 90% of the cost to clean a space is labor, the machine quickly pays for itself.
Dont make the mistake of purchasing a machine simply because its the cheapest. Keep in mind that 90% labor cost and choose equipment that has time-saving features.
Choose the largest machine your space can accommodate. Bigger machines can carry more water which reduces the amount of time your operator will spend dumping and refilling.
Consider Lifetime Cost of Ownership
Ask how much it costs to replace squeegee blades, brushes, tires, hoses, etc. and if theye available locally. A cheaper scrubbing machine may cost more over the course of its lifetime ala a cheap computer printer that takes $100 ink cartridges!
Also, ask the dealer about service and warranty. If your machine requires service and it cant be completed nearby, this can quickly increase the cost of your equipment.
At TMH we stock new and used floor Scrubbers from Advance, a leading manufacturer in the industrial floor cleaning industry. We also have commercial floor cleaning equipment for rent from our locations in the East Bay, Sacramento, Salinas and Fresno.
Like Checklists? Get a floor cleaning prep checklist in our buyers guide.
Click here to download and go to page 15.
Our friendly and experienced staff are happy to answer any questions you may have, or schedule a free demo. *Please contact us online, or by :
East Bay Livermore (510) 473-
Fresno (559) 834-
Sacramento (916) 376-
Salinas (831) 757-
FURTHER READING:
How to Choose the Right Floor Scrubber Machine
When to Lease Vs. Rent Vs. Buy a Sweeper / Scrubber
Industrial Floor Sweepers for OSHA Silica Dust Compliance
*Restrictions apply.
For more Industrial Floor Scrubberinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.