Which scrubber dryer?
August 1st 2003

When it comes to floorcare, scrubber/dryers offer one of the most effective solutions for a wide range of hard floor applications, from schools and hospitals to offices and retail outlets. However, with so many different models to choose from, how do you go about selecting the best machine for your particular cleaning needs and, of course, your budget? Karen James, sales and marketing director of Nilfisk-Advance, offers this helpful guide Scrubber/dryers not only give admirable cleaning results they also leave the floor surface dry and safe. This eliminates the hazard of wet, slippery floors, and floors stay cleaner for longer as any surface water will dissolve the dirt carried on peoples shoes and shopping trolley wheels, for example. A high productivity option, models that clean and dry in a single pass can really help improve cleaning speed and efficiency an important benefit in the bid to cut costs but not quality. So the advantages of scrubber/dryers speak for themselves, the question is which one to choose? For their part, cleaning equipment manufacturers can offer the benefit of their experience to recommend the most cost-effective and productive package for a particular requirement. At Nilfisk-Advance weve even compiled head-to-head comparison charts detailing cleaning times and operational costs of each model in our scrubber/dryer range, so cleaning professionals can check out the figures for themselves. Floor Size The size of floor to be cleaned and the degree of soiling have a major impact on the choice of scrubber/dryer. For a large floor, say greater than 2000m2, then a machine with a wide scrub path and high brush speed will obviously get the job done faster and more cost-effectively. And, of course, theres the choice of a walk-behind or ride-on. Ride-on machines can increase productivity by up to 50 - 75% compared with pedestrian versions, so are certainly worth considering for large areas, such as shopping malls or hospital corridors. A large solution tank also increases the number of square metres that can be cleaned per hour without having to stop and refill. In addition to these basic performance factors, many new scrubber/dryers incorporate features to improve productivity further. For example, the latest range from Nilfisk-Advance has a curved, pivoting squeegee that provides good pick-up on turns, so eliminating the need for time-consuming spot mopping. Floor Material Alongside the floor size the type of floor covering will affect the choice of machine. This is another area where manufacturers can provide invaluable advice, including putting a scrubber/dryer through any relevant tests to make sure it is safe to use on a particular floor type. Its also essential to use the correct type of equipment and detergent for each floor type, to ensure an effective result and avoid causing any damage to the surface. With the appropriate brush/pad and solution, machine scrubbing is ideal for maintaining a low, medium or high gloss finish as required. Application and Environment Last but by no means least, the application plays a critical role in the selection process. For daytime cleaning operations and in any noise sensitive environments, a quiet and unobtrusive machine is vital. In healthcare environments, such as hospitals and nursing homes, gas emissions as well as noise levels will need to be considered. In this situation battery-powered scrubber/dryers provide a considerably quieter option to propane powered models and there are no potentially polluting fumes. For thorough cleaning in confined spaces, such as warehouse aisles, a compact, easy to manoeuvre unit that can handle tight turns, will deliver the best results. And if the floor surface is uneven, an adjustable brush height will ensure consistent cleaning. Which Supplier? While machine performance is, of course, key to selection, its just as important to check out the suppliers capability when it comes to customer service. For example, do they offer flexible lease purchase finance, on-site training and a range of maintenance options? In the search for the right scrubber/dryer, make sure your proposed supplier offers a free assessment of your needs plus a full range of machines and support services and if they dont then our advice is to find one that does! For more information on scrubber/dryers and floorcare in general, including recommended solutions by floor size and material plus handy floorcare tips, use the enquiry number:

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