The single-disc floor machine is the most versatile tool for floor maintenance: with a single rotating disc, it washes, strips, shampoos carpets, and polishes all types of flooring. The Nilfisk FM400 series is available in three speeds, allowing you to choose the machine best suited to your needs. Each version is available bare or as a ready-to-use kit. Discover our full range of professional single-disc floor machines from Nilfisk, Taski, and Numatic.
Nilfisk single-disc floor machine, low speed and dual speed: washing and stripping
With a speed of 180 rpm and high torque, the FM400 L is ideal for heavy-duty carpet cleaning: washing, stripping, and shampooing. The FM400 D adds a second speed of 370 rpm, allowing you to perform stripping and polishing with the same machine.
Nilfisk high-speed single-disc machine: polishing and maintenance
At 410 rpm, the FM400 H restores shine to floors protected by spraying and polishing. It's the ideal machine for maintaining lobbies, shops, and corridors.
How to choose your Nilfisk single brush?
Even though the use of single-disc floor scrubbers has decreased with the advent of compact scrubbers like the Duplex Ultra45 , Nilfisk SC100 , or Numatic NX440 , this cleaning equipment remains a necessary tool for precise operations such as stripping, carpet cleaning, polishing, and floor crystallization. Your choice of machine will therefore depend on the job and the type of flooring. Low speed provides the necessary power for washing and stripping with a motor torque capable of handling high resistance without damaging the motor. High speed delivers shine by hardening the emulsion or wax layer applied to the surface. The dual-speed machine performs both functions and is positioned as a versatile tool, capable of handling almost any situation encountered on cleaning sites.
Comparison of Nilfisk FM400 single-disc floor machines
| Version | Speed | Power | Couple | Brush pressure | Noise level | Weight | Uses | References (bare / packaged) |
| FM400 L – low speed | 180 rpm | 1100 W | 63 Nm | 35 g/cm² | 59 dB(A) | 37 kg | Carpet washing, stripping, and shampooing | 56380056 / FR16001089 |
| FM400 H – high speed | 410 rpm | 1500 W | 36 Nm | 28 g/cm² | 61 dB(A) | 40 kg | Spray method, polishing | 56380058 / FR16001090 |
| FM400 D – two-speed | 185 / 370 rpm | 1100 / 1500 W | 58 / 40 Nm | 28 g/cm² | 59 / 61 dB(A) | 40 kg | All types of work: stripping, washing, polishing | 56380061 / FR16001091 |
Single-disc floor machine (bare brush) or in a pack?
The bare version comes without accessories: it's suitable if you already own pads, brushes, and a water tank. The bundle comes ready to use with accessories suited to the machine's speed. This allows you to have a fully equipped machine ready to operate. This table summarizes the accessory composition for each of the single-disc floor machine bundles.
| Item delivered | FM400 L pack | FM400 H pack | FM400 D pack | Ref. |
| 15m electrical cable | Yes | Yes | Yes | 40268A |
| Universal washing brush | Yes | — | Yes | 11298A |
| Low-speed disc carrier plate | Yes | — | — | 11315A |
| Dual-speed disc carrier | — | Yes | Yes | 11316A |
| Solution reservoir | Yes | — | Yes | 10104A |
| Set of 5 red 432 mm discs (Nilfisk) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10001941 |
What speed for what task?
The machine's rotation speed is linked to the type of work (stripping, polishing, shampooing, etc.) and the type of flooring (linoleum, marble, tile, carpet, etc.). The common misconception is that the faster the machine spins, the more efficient it will be. This is incorrect, and just like with a drill or grinder, the rotation speed must be appropriate for the material and the task at hand.
| Operation | Speed | Recommended accessory | FM400 version |
| Routine wash | Low speed | Soft brush or red or blue disc + reservoir | L or D |
| Thorough washing | Low speed | Green disc + reservoir | L or D |
| Stripping | Low speed | Black disc, stripping brush, kit weight 2.5 kg | L or D |
| Carpet shampoo | Low speed | Carpet brush + foam generator | L or D |
| Spray method | High speed | High-speed platter + red disc | H or D |
| Polishing | High speed | White pad or polishing brush | H or D |
| ultra-high-speed polishing | 1500 rpm | Dedicated polisher | Nilfisk BU500 Polisher |
Brushes, pads and discs for Nilfisk single-disc floor machines
Choosing the right abrasive disc (pad)
The discs attach to the disc holder. Their color indicates their abrasiveness: from white, the gentlest, to black, the most abrasive. A disc that is too aggressive can damage a delicate floor: if in doubt, start with the gentlest. Consult our complete guide on using discs for single-disc floor machines and scrubber-dryers depending on the type of flooring. You can also choose the best with the 3M Scotch-Brite brand and find the appropriate pads in this 3M guide . Voussert offers its discs for single-disc floor machines in the two most common sizes for this equipment: 406 mm and 432 mm, in packs of 5.
| Voussert disc (pack of 5) | Use | Ref. 406 mm | Ref. 432 mm |
| White | Polishing, buffing, light cleaning | 667406 | 667432 |
| Red | Spray method, wet cleaning of delicate floors | 664406 | 664432 |
| Blue | Light cleaning and stripping | 663406 | 663432 |
| Green | Thorough cleaning of resistant floors | 662406 | 662432 |
| Black | Stripping | 660406 | 660432 |
Accessories compatible with Nilfisk FM400 series single-disc floor machines
Find in this table all the original accessory references for Nilfisk FM400 series single-disc floor machines. For the Nilfisk Alto R44 series, manufactured at the time by Cleanfix, you can find the references on the single-disc floor machine pads and brushes page by sorting by Nilfisk brand.
| FM400 Accessory | Ref. Nilfisk |
| Low-speed disc carrier plate | 11315A |
| Low-speed Velcro disc holder | 82260000 |
| High-speed disc carrier | 742031 |
| Dual-speed disc carrier | 11316A |
| Soft washing brush | 11298A |
| Medium washing brush | 11299A |
| Stripping brush | 11310A |
| Polishing brush | 11296A |
| Carpet brush | 56383868 |
| Solution reservoir | 10104A |
| Foam generator (carpet shampoo) | 11294A |
| Additional weight kit 2.5 kg | 56382007 |
| 15m electrical cable | 40268A |
Accessories for the old Nilfisk Alto R44 single-disc floor machine
Are you still using a Nilfisk Alto R44 floor scrubber? This older generation, manufactured by Cleanfix, uses its own brushes and pads. These are not compatible with the FM400: please check your machine model before ordering.
For the Nilfisk Alto R44 and Cleanfix series:
Washing brush code 742059 and shampoo brush 742074.
Pad holder plate code 742070 and high-speed plate 752999.
| Nilfisk Alto R44 Accessory | Ref. | Compatibility |
| R44 series washing brush, 430 mm | 742059 | Alto R44 and Cleanfix only |
| Carpet shampoo brush | 742074 | Alto R44 and Cleanfix only |
| Alto / Cleanfix disc holder | 742070 | Alto R44 and Cleanfix only |
| High-speed shock absorber plate | 752999 | Alto R44 and Cleanfix only |