This may seem like a common question, but how does a floor scrubber work? This is the first topic covered during Comac’s training sessions for professional cleaning operators. Why? Well, starting from the basics is important to provide people with a deep knowledge of the professional floor cleaning machines to use them in a proper way. For this reason, those who own or want to purchase a scrubbing machine should understand how it works to exploit its full potential.
What is a floor scrubber?
Before answering this question, it is worth remembering how essential cleanliness is in our lives. Clean technologies have transformed our world allowing us to live in extremely clean and therefore safe environments. Furthermore, we are increasingly aware that mechanization of cleaning operations has become indispensable to achieve high standards of cleanliness and hygiene. This is the reason why automatic scrubber are replacing traditional cleaning methods such as mops and buckets.
According to the definition given by Wikipedia, automatic floor scrubbers are type of floor cleaning machine that are used to scrub a floor where debris, dust, oil, grease or floor marks are present. These machines are designed to satisfy many different needs such as reduce floor-cleaning times, make the floor immediately usable and obtain excellent cleaning results. In one single operation, scrubbing machines can wash, dry and sanitise the floor, leaving the surface completely dry and therefore safe. Moreover, mechanized floor cleaning carried out by means of a scrubber dryer can grant accurate cleaning that is essential to make sanitization effective.
How many types of automatic floor scrubbers are available on the market?
Considering the wide offer of the professional cleaning market, the first big distinction that we must underline is the difference between walk-behind and ride-on floor scrubbers. Then, it is important to specify the power and the brush type as, among many different models, there are electrical or battery-operated machines equipped with disc, cylindrical or orbital brush base.
But, how does a floor scrubber work?
To understand how a scrubbing machine works, let’s take an on-board scrubber-dryer like the Optima 85 B as an example. We can immediately see that its brush base is made up of two disc brushes. But, before arriving to the brushes, the solution tank must be filled with clean water and, if necessary, chemical agent. In case the floor scrubber is equipped with the Comac fast filling system, the solution tank can be quickly filled without the presence of the operator.
The most important phase in the solution circuit is to guarantee the correct dosage of the chemical agent, this is the reason why Optima can be equipped with the Comac Dosing System (CDS), and the solution homogeneously flow out on both brushes.
Then, the mechanical action of the brushes together with the solution remove the dirt from the floors. For this reason, it is important to choose the brushes with suitable bristles for the floor that has to be cleaned, without forgetting that some brush bases can be equipped with pads, which are more abrasive and therefore grant better results.
Later, the most delicate phase takes place, which is the dirty water collection. After the passage of a scrubber dryer the floor must be perfectly dry in order to improve safety and protect people in the environment in which the machine works. Perfect drying is guaranteed by the work of the squeegee which must be equipped with the rubber blades suitable for the floor and the dirt type on which the machine is working. For example, in the case of oils and greases, Comac recommends the use of anti-oil polyurethane rubbers.
At this point the dirty water must be brought into the recovery tank, and this is the moment when the suction motor comes into action. Being a delicate phase, sometimes two different motors are used for this activity.
Obviously, the latest generation floor scrubbers are equipped with technologies and sensors that make them easier to use and greatly improve their cleaning results. Do not forget that there are different cleaning needs for different environments. Moreover, there are many brands and floor scrubber types available in the market and choosing the best one can be very difficult. For this reason we have made a list of the tips you should consider before buying a scrubbing machine.
Need more help? 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.
This post is also available in: Italian