Let’s talk about single disc machines again as they are a fundamental tool for those who work in the professional floor cleaning industry. There are many models available on the market and, to complicate matters, there are many specific accessories for each type of intervention. This is why they are extremely versatile machines, capable of facing any situation, even the most demanding such as floor sanding or polishing. We have therefore decided to share with you a short guide that will help you understand how to choose the best single disc machine that suits your cleaning needs, focusing on the increasingly popular single discs for parquet or marble floors.
Single disc machines models based on their speed
The first step toward choosing the best single disc machine is knowing which equipment types actually exist and what their characteristics are. So, if you don’t know what a single disc machine is and how it works, we suggest you read our post dedicated to these floor machines. So let’s see the single disc machines classified by speed:
- Low speed single disc machines
- High speed single disc machines
- Dual speed single disc machines
- Ultra-high speed single disc machines
- Orbital single disc machines
Low speed single disc machines
Low speed single disc machines usually have a number of revolutions per minute ranging from 150 to 200. They are extremely versatile machines as they can also work with weights of 40-50 kg on the brush. This is why we recommend that you choose a low speed single disc machine for applications such as:
- Deep cleaning of floors for extraordinary interventions.
- Maintenance cleaning with the cleaning solution applied by means of a spray system (this technique is also called spray cleaning).
- Dewaxing with pads and specific products.
- Crystallization of marble floors using steel wool pads and specific products.
- Parquet floor sanding.
- Carpet cleaning using a nylon brush with soft bristles or a microfiber pad.
CM43 F, for example, is a low speed single disc machine equipped with gear drive that is ideal for daily maintenance. It is a professional floor machine suitable for heavy duty cleaning with water of hard and vinyl floors, as well as foam or powder cleaning of carpet floors, and for dry polishing of vinyl floors. In addition, the nylon gear system makes it a very silent floor machines.
High speed single disc machines
High-speed single disc machines, also called HS, have a number of revolutions between 300 and 500 revolutions per minute. Working with a lower weight than those at low speed, high speed single disc machines are used for more specific applications, such as:
- Polishing for metallic waxes
- Spray cleaning
- Dry dewaxing if the floor machine is equipped with a dust extraction system and adequate power.
Dual speed single disc machines
Dual speed single disc machines are also known as DS. They are equipped with a switch that allows the machine to work at both low and high speed. They therefore vary from 150-200 rpm in low speed to 300-400 rpm in high speed. So, choosing a dual speed single disc machine allows you to have the best combination of characteristics between low and high speed floor machines to deal with maintenance and polishing operations in small areas that do not exceed 100 sqm. In fact, the first speed is ideal for daily cleaning and demanding maintenance tasks. While the second speed simplifies and speeds up the polishing and crystallization operations. It is important to remember that the market offers dual speed single disc machines with belt drive or gear drive, such as the brand new CM43 F DS which is equipped with steel gears.
Ultra-high speed single disc machines
Ultra-high speed single disc machines, or Ultra High Speed for short, or simply UHS, are characterized by revolutions ranging from 1500 to 2000 rpm. The number of revolutions is very high, and the load on the floor is a few kilograms, so they are mainly used for polishing. In addition, the ultra-high speed single disc machines work dry and generate dust. For this reason they are often equipped with a collection system that uses the rotation of the disc to convey the dust into a special container. There are also single disc machines equipped with a vacuum cleaner that allows you to work on large surfaces where you may have a lot of dust.
Orbital single disc machines
Orbital single disc machines are also called roto-orbital because, in most cases, they have a rounded base. But, there are also small floor machines, such as CM Mini Orbital, which have a rectangular orbital base to facilitate the cleaning of corners, edges, steps and stairs.
The roto-orbital floor machines simultaneously exploit the natural rotational movement of the disc, which can vary from 0 to 90 rpm, and the micro-orbital movement that generates a constant orbit. This movement produces a lot of energy on the floor, and in a short time allows not only an optimal cleaning result but also a polishing effect that preserves the shine of the surface. For this reason, orbital single disc machines are perfect for washing, polishing and crystallizing hard or resilient floors, but also for wood, resins or carpets. In addition, single discs equipped with orbital technology reduce the consumption of water and energy used for cleaning and maintenance, thus reducing costs while remaining environmentally friendly. Orbital single disc machines are also very easy to use and, compared to traditional machines, do not require specific training.
How to choose the best single disc machine that suits your needs
If we analyze the types of single disc machines available on the market, the question arises: how can I choose the most suitable one? To do this, in general, we recommend that you:
- Evaluate the type of floor and the type of work you want to perform.
- Evaluate the type of dirt.
- According to the type of floor and dirt, choose the most suitable accessories to obtain maximum performance from the floor machine.
- Take into account ergonomics and ease of use.
Choosing the right single disc machine: bonus tip
Now that you know how to choose the best single disc machine that suits your needs, we want to leave you one last tip. In general, we can say that single disc machines are easy to use, but for this characteristic the operator training should not be underestimated. To use them safely and effectively, training and experience in choosing the most suitable accessories is very important. In fact, if you don’t have adequate skills in the use of single discs, you may damage the floors, especially delicate ones such as parquet.
Choosing the correct pad for your single disc machine
Pads for single disc machines, often called discs, may affect the final result. For this reason they must be chosen carefully as if you use the wrong disc you can damage the flooring. You should know that that there is a color code for floor machines pads that goes from light color (white) for the mildest discs to dark (black) for the most aggressive ones. Each color is associated with a type of treatment and intervention. For example, among the pads for marble single disc machines, the white one is recommended, which allows you to clean and polish hard and delicate floors. While the red pads are recommended for floor polishing machines and when you want to give brilliance when washing delicate or treated surfaces, such as those in wood.
Factors to consider when using a single disc machine for parquet flooring
Contrary to popular belief, parquet and wooden floors can be washed, and to do so you should use a specific parquet cloth and a minimum amount of solution. Since these are delicate floors, there are several factors to consider, due to the fact that there are many types of wood and related treatments.
On varnished parquet, for example, wax should never be applied. This is because the protective film of the wax prevents the absorption of any substance. The wax would therefore remain on the parquet making it slippery, opaque and damaging it. Whereas the wax can only be removed mechanically. In this case, a single disc machine that works at low speed with a white or yellow pad is certainly the most suitable tool. It is important to remember that an orbital type single disc machine can simplify the operator’s work even more. While to restore the wax and for polishing the parquet, high-speed single disc machines are recommended, therefore with a speed above 300 rpm.
Contact us for more information regarding single disc machines! A network of authorized Comac dealers is at your complete disposal not only to support you in choosing the most suitable single disc machine but also to explain you the tricks that allow you to make the most of its potential.
This post is also available in: Italian