Hand mopping maximum productivity is about 1,000 sq ft per hour. Walk behind scrubbers productivity is about 500 sq ft per inch of scrub width per hour (i.e. 20” machine = 10,000 sq ft per hour). Battery ride on scrubbers productivity is about 750 sq ft per inch of scrub width per hour (i.e. 20” rider machine = 15,000 sq ft per hour). Large battery or engine powered units approach 1,000 sq ft per inch of scrub width per hour (i.e. 40” = 40,000 sq ft per hour).
Traditional disc type scrub brush scrubbers have the lowest maintenance and acquisition costs. They do not possess any sweeping capabilities and do require presweeping to achieve successful operation and results.
Scrubbers with integrated cylindrical type scrub brushes use the scrub brushes to provide wet sweeping as it scrubs to control dust but have limited debris pickup capabilities. They cannot be used as a dry sweeper only. In light debris applications they can most times minimize or eliminate the need for presweeping. Their operational cost will be higher than a disc type but lower than full size combination machines with separate sweep and scrub systems.
Orbital or oscillating type scrubbers use replaceable rectangular pads that can be used to scrub or strip finishes from floors (without chemicals) and are more prevalent in facilities with waxed or finished floors.
As you increase in size the scrubbers are equipped with larger water tanks and battery packs for increased scrubbing time between refills and longer runtimes before recharging, and typically with larger, more powerful scrubbing and vacuum motors for maximum performance and results.
Sweeper Scrubber large combination machines
Full size combination machines are larger and have the capabilities to run as a sweeper only, as a scrubber only, as a water recovery only or all together at one time. These machines are designed for larger facilities, typically requiring at least 5-6’ aisles to operate in and 10’ aisles to U-turn. With their powerful sweeping and effective dust control many companies find they can sweep 3-4 days and scrub 1 day thereby saving labor hours and operational costs per use. They can also be used to periodically sweep +/or scrub outside dock areas further increasing the versatility and return on investment.