Professional floor scrubber: how to compare?
Buying a scrubber dryer is a significant investment with three main objectives:
-> Facilitate the cleaning work of agents by integrating more ergonomics
-> Increase cleaning productivity
-> Improve cleaning efficiency , particularly through stronger mechanical action
A scrubber dryer is a machine used to clean floors and surfaces using water and special scrubber cleaning products , steam as in the case of Duplex Steam scrubber dryers. A scrubber dryer is used to wash tiled floors, community floors, warehouse floors and surfaces of commercial, industrial and institutional buildings in communities. You often find scrubber dryers on large areas such as train stations, airports, shopping centers ... The most common users are cleaning and maintenance companies because it allows them to save a lot of time compared to manual maintenance. The scrubber dryer can also be used for cleaning large outdoor areas such as parking lots, shopping centers, sidewalks and sports fields.
Defining the size of the scrubber dryer: the performance
A scrubber dryer is characterized by its "capacity" in terms of performance to treat m2 in a given time. It seems obvious that the wider the machine, the more productive it will be because the user will have to make fewer back and forths . The good image is that of mowing a lawn. The wider your mower, the faster you will go but the less maneuverable you will be...
Be careful with the advertised yield values , which are generally theoretical yields. This theoretical yield is a simple mathematical formula that multiplies the working width of the machine by the forward speed of a person on foot.
Some scrubber-dryer manufacturers provide a practical yield that tends to be close to the actual yield you'll experience when using your scrubber-dryer. In most cases, using a practical yield 50% lower than the theoretical yield can be a conservative rule that will avoid any inconvenience (undersized machines).
Example: If you want to treat 4000 m2 in 2 hours, you will need to choose a scrubber dryer with a practical output greater than 2000 m2/hour corresponding to a theoretical output of 4000 m2/hour.
In the case of very large surfaces, a so-called ride-on scrubber-dryer may be required because only this type of model has the capacity not only to treat large surfaces but also to ensure minimal fatigue for the operator who, let's not forget , walks behind the machine in most cases! So beyond practical performance, there is also the fatigue of the maintenance worker to take into account.
Things to check before deciding on size and model
The scrubber dryer must be adapted to the type of floor to be cleaned. Of course, the type of brushes or abrasive disc will be chosen according to the desired action such as spray method, stripping, crystallization, etc. The 3M Scotch-Brite range of discs remains one of the most efficient on the market for professional cleaning. Choosing the right product will also be essential, by choosing a non-foaming scrubber cleaning product with a degreasing or neutral action.
The size of the scrubber dryer must correspond to the size of the room or warehouse or gymnasium to be cleaned. The theoretical and practical performance that we have detailed above is an important data to check to respect the time that you have defined for cleaning. This is even more true if you are a cleaning company and have "sold" the service. On large surfaces, you will need to start with a ride-on scrubber dryer . The number of m2 to be cleaned will also determine whether you should opt for a machine with a traction motor on the wheels or pushed by the user .
The scrubber dryer can have a wheel drive and in this case we speak of a self-propelled scrubber dryer. In the case where the scrubber dryer does not have this traction (for the smallest models) it is the rotation of the brushes added to the user's thrust that allows the machine to move forward .
Towed scrubber dryers should be reserved for the use of large models and also for room configurations with, for example, ramps (wheelchair access) where traction will become necessary.
A self-propelled model has an additional motor to drive the machine's wheels. As a result, the autonomy of a battery-powered machine will be reduced since it will be necessary to power not one motor but two!
What points should you consider when choosing your scrubber dryer?
To choose the right scrubber dryer, you need to take several things into account:
- The size of the surface to be cleaned as well as the shape and bulk of the surface
- The theoretical and practical performance of the machine that will determine the time. There is a big difference between a theoretical performance and an announced one.
- The type of floor to be washed : carpet, parquet, tiles, thermoplastic flooring ... in order to use the right brush or disc
- The capacity of the scrubber-dryer's solution tank (water + product): the longer the runtime, the less you will need to stop to refill the cleaning product. Therefore, the number of liters in the clean water tank should be checked.
- The power of the device : cable-powered scrubber dryers are more powerful because a cable power supply allows the construction of a machine with more powerful motors, whereas battery-powered scrubber dryers with a battery-powered motor must above all ensure autonomy . In the case of the battery-powered scrubber dryer, it is therefore difficult to install a very powerful motor which will consume more and therefore reduce autonomy accordingly.
- The noise level of the device : In noise-sensitive environments such as hospitals, for example, noise is a problem. Taski has worked extensively on this theme with the notion of whispering both on its vacuum cleaners and on these new Ultimaxx scrubber-dryer models .
- The ergonomics of the scrubber dryer and its ease of maintenance so that it is done naturally without significant constraints.
How should I maintain my scrubber dryer and how often?
Maintaining your scrubber dryer will determine its lifespan but above all its constant efficiency. After each use, empty and rinse the dirty water tank to prevent debris from accumulating. Clean the brushes and nozzle blades to ensure effective brushing and, above all, suction to keep your floor dry. Don't hesitate to replace the nozzle blades regularly . Worn blades will cause poor suction and therefore water trails. This can lead to a slippery floor and therefore to falls. Ideally, the positioning of a slippery floor sign remains an essential safety element to prevent this eventuality. Also inspect the hoses and filters to avoid obstructions. For battery-powered models, regularly check the charge level and, above all, avoid deep discharge...
Several brands offer "Full Service" contracts with monthly or quarterly visits... Perhaps this is the solution to ensure this maintenance follow-up?
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