As the cleaning industry becomes increasingly automated, scrubbing machines are playing a prominent role in the daily cleaning operations. Floor cleaning machines are part of everybody’s life, gradually replacing the old-fashioned mop and bucket. Why? Because, for example, in some special environments, such as schools and hospitals, there are specific needs for which floors should not only look clean as they need to be duly cleaned.
This improvement of the floor cleaning has not only speeded up the process but also improved the results. In fact, professional scrubbing machines clean and dry the floor leaving it immediately ready to use. Moreover, the dirty residue is collected by the squeegees and stored in the recovery tank of the scrubber driers, avoiding it lies on the floor as happens with the mop.
There are many brands and floor scrubber types available in the market, and choosing the best one can be very difficult. For this reason, before buying a floor scrubber you should consider the following important 8 tips:
- Floor area
- Floor type
- Type of dirt
- Floor scrubber deck type
- Ergonomics
- Optional and accessories
- Battery and battery charger
- Contact an expert
Floor area
Take your time to carefully evaluate all the areas where the scrubbing machine could be used. Consider the total square footage of the area, the cleanable square footage, the presence of aisles, ramps and doorways. This will help you determine whether you need a small walk-behind or a bigger ride-on scrubber dryer. For example, Comac’s Innova range, with a working width ranging from 60 to 100 centimeters, can be used in many environments meeting different needs.
Floor type
Hard floor or carpet floor? In case you need to clean hard floor, is it concrete, porcelain tile or hard wood floor? For example, if you are dealing with a wood floor, it would be preferable to choose for a scrubber equipped with a dosing system, such as the CDS – Comac Dosing system. This optional adjusts the solution flow avoiding the damage of the floor.
Type of dirt
Normally a scrubbing machine should be used when you have no debris on the floor. Nevertheless, in warehouses floors, for example, you can find small solid debris, in this case the use of a cylindrical scrubber dryer simplifies the collection while scrubbing the floor.
Floor scrubber deck type
Essentially, there are 3 different deck types:
- Disc deck with 1, 2 or more disc brushes. The most common is the single disc as its pad are easy to find on the market. Surely the double disc version has the peculiarity of directing water in the centre of the machine where there is the maximum suction power, reducing the creation of lateral splashes.
- Cylindrical deck, recommended for the collection of small debris as the brushes usually turn faster removing floor sweepings much better. The deck equipped with 2 cylindrical brushes is much more effective than the single brush deck.
- Orbital deck, a technology that recently has been very successful offering great performances and less consumptions, saving solution and energy. The pad action, that oscillates at around 2000 RPM, grants excellent cleaning results, and using proper accessories can also keep the floor shiny.
Ergonomics
When buying a scrubber dryer you should always evaluate ergonomics. Keep always in mind that it must be convenient and easy to use, especially because the operator should daily work with the machine. For example, during the design phase of Comac C75, C85 and C100 scrubbing machines, a detailed ergonomic study has enabled optimal adaptation of the man-machine system, to provide the operator with a comfortable and well-protected seat.
Optional/Accessories
Sometimes scrubbing machines are equipped with features you may not need, but there are some other features you should look for. For example, if you need to manage your fleet of machines located in different sites, you can choose for a Comac scrubber equipped with CFC – Comac Fleet Care system, to allow you to always know where they are and their state of health.
Battery and battery charger
Choosing for a battery-operated floor scrubber eliminates the need for plugging into an outlet while you are using the machine. You can use battery powered scrubbers wherever you want, for this reason, don’t forget to check whether the machine is equipped with maintenance-free batteries and on-board battery charger.
Contact an expert
Still not sure? A worldwide network of Comac Authorized Dealers is ready and waiting to help you. Contact us for further advice and support on choosing the best professional cleaning solution.
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This post is also available in: Italian