Introduction
In the cleaning equipment market, many companies find that industrial scrubbers are generally several times more expensive than commercial floor scrubbers when making purchases. What exactly are the differences between them?
This article will provide a comprehensive analysis of industrial floor scrubbers from aspects such as structure, performance, durability, and application scenarios, so that you can understand why industrial floor scrubbers, though more expensive, are often more cost-effective.
Industrial Scrubber VS Commercial Floor Scrubbing Machines
Industrial Scrubbers
Industrial scrubbers are designed for high-intensity environments such as factory workshops, logistics and warehousing centers, food processing plants, and areas with heavy oil pollution. These types of locations have large floor areas, are heavily and frequently polluted, and may contain complex stains such as oil stains, dust accumulation, and liquid leaks. Therefore, the equipment needs to be able to work continuously for a long time, clean efficiently, and be durable.
Industrial scrubber are typically equipped with high-power motors, thickened brushes, high-capacity water tanks, and have enhanced wear resistance and protective design to withstand heavy-duty operations. It is precisely due to these high-performance and durable designs that industrial floor scrubbers are significantly more expensive than commercial ones.
Commercial Floor Scrubbing Machines
Commercial floor scrubbing machines are typically designed for light to medium-duty cleaning in spaces such as office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, schools, and hospitals. The cleaning frequency of such places is relatively low, and the ground pollution is also relatively light, usually dominated by dust, a small amount of liquid, or slight stains. Moreover, commercial floor scrubber emphasize easy operation, lightweight mobility, and low noise to facilitate employees in quickly completing cleaning tasks.
Summary: Different positioning directly affects functional requirements, material durability, power system design, work efficiency, and fundamentally determines the price difference between industrial scrubbers and commercial floor scrubbing machines.
6 Key Points That Why Industrial Scrubbers Are Expensive
Stronger Durability
The structural materials of industrial floor scrubbers are more sturdy:
- Thickened chassis
- Strengthening steel structures
- Highly wear-resistant and absorbent rubber strip
- Industrial grade motor
Summary: Industrial scrubbers can work continuously for 6-12 hours or more. However, commercial floor scrubbers are mostly lightweight structures and are not suitable for high load operation.
Stronger Power System
Industrial scrubbers are generally used for:
- High power disk brushing motor
- Industrial grade water absorbing motor
- A more stable driving system
Larger Water Tank Capacity
Type | Clear Water Tank Capacity | Waste Water Tank Capacity |
Commercial Floor Scrubber | 10–30L | 15–40L |
Industrial Floor Scrubber | 60–200L | 70–220L |
Professional Disk Flushing System
Industrial floor scrubber brush selection:
- Roller brush
- Wire brush
- Powerful degreasing brush
- Anti-static brush
Summary: Industrial scrubbers are suitable for floors with heavy oil stains, metal shavings, epoxy flooring, etc. On the contrary, commercial floor scrubbers are mostly ordinary disc brushes with limited cleaning power.
More Complex Structure and Higher Configuration
Industrial floor scrubbers are often equipped with:
- Automatic pressurization system
- Driving system
- Stable shock-absorbing structure
- Electromagnetic brake
- Intelligent control panel
Summary: These configurations have all increased costs.
Maintenance Costs Differ from Component Standards
Industrial Floor Scrubbers Features:
- High temperature tolerance
- Long term absence of heat
- Can resist chemical corrosion
- Consumables have a longer lifespan
Industrial Scrubber ---- Expensive but Lower Operating Costs
Many businesses may find industrial floor scrubbers expensive when they first purchase them. However, in the long run, they often find that industrial floor scrubbers are more cost-effective than commercial or manual cleaning. The reasons for this are mainly as follows:
Alternative Labor Costs
An industrial floor scrubber can usually replace the workload of 3-5 cleaners. For example, cleaning a warehouse of 2000m² every day:
Manual cleaning: The daily wage is approximately US$21 per person, so cleaning for 5 people would cost US$107.
Industrial floor scrubbers: Daily electricity and consumable costs are approximately US$7-11. Cost savings of approximately $95 per day, resulting in annual savings exceeding $28,500.
Low Damage Rate & Low Maintenance Frequency
Industrial scrubber uses high-quality materials and reinforced components, and the brush plate, suction scraper, pump system, and motor are wear-resistant and durable. Generally, simple maintenance is only required 2-3 times a year, while commercial floor scrubber machines may be maintained once a month and are prone to malfunctions.
Low Failure Rate
Due to the design of industrial scrubbers for high-intensity, continuous operating environments, their component and motor load capacity far exceeds that of commercial machines. Even if used continuously for 8-10 hours, the failure rate is very low, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Longer Service Life
The lifespan of industrial scrubber is usually 5-10 years, while commercial floor scrubbers only have 3-5 years. After long-term use, although the initial investment is large, the cleaning cost per unit area is low and the return on investment is high.
How to Choose a Suitable Industrial Scrubber?
Shopping Malls, Hotels, and Small Offices: Choose Commercial Floor Scrubber Machines
When purchasing floor scrubbing machines, enterprises should choose based on factors such as location type, cleaning area, frequency of use, and degree of stains.
Applicable Scenarios
The indoor floor is flat, mainly covered with dust and light liquids, and the cleaning frequency is generally 1-2 times a day.
Reason for Selection
- Commercial floor scrubbing machines are compact, lightweight, and easy to operate. They are ideal for quick cleaning
- Low noise, will not disturb customers or office environment
- Low cost, easy maintenance, suitable for light use
Recommended Model
Walk behind commercial floor scrubber machine, Small semi-automatic floor scrubber
Factories, Warehouses, and Workshops: Choose Industrial Scrubber
Applicable Scenarios
A large area of ground with a lot of dust, oil stains, and liquid residue requires continuous cleaning and high frequency of use
Reason for Selection
- Industrial floor scrubbers have strong power, large brush plates, and can handle stubborn stains
- High capacity water tank and battery support long-term operation, reducing cleaning interruptions
- Durable structure, capable of withstanding high strength and long-term use
- Low long-term maintenance costs and high ROI
Recommended Model
Walk behind industrial scrubber machine, Fully automatic industrial floor scrubber
Large Enterprises and Large-Scale Venues: Choose Ride on Industrial Scrubber
Applicable Scenarios
Cleaning areas exceeding 3,000–5,000㎡, such as logistics centers, large factories, and airport waiting halls.
Reasons for Selection
- Ride-on floor scrubbers can significantly improve cleaning efficiency, cleaning more areas in one go
- Reduces human fatigue and is suitable for long-term continuous use
- Equipped with a high-powered brush and water tank, it can handle even the most stubborn stains
- Intelligent navigation and route planning functions improve operational accuracy
Recommended Model
Driving industrial floor scrubber, Fully automatic intelligent driving floor scrubber
Choose Tips:
Choose capacity based on cleaning area
- Priority should be given to devices with large water tanks and long battery life for large areas
Select brush disc based on stain type
- Choose high-strength brush discs for workshops with heavy oil stains, and ordinary brush discs for warehouses with high dust
Consider operational convenience and maintenance costs
- Regular maintenance of simple and easy to operate equipment is more suitable for long-term use by enterprises
Maintenance Costs and After-Sales Service
Low Maintenance Cost for Industrial Scrubber
- Industrial scrubbing machines are designed for high-intensity, long-term operations, and key components such as brush discs, suction paddles, motors, and pump systems are made of wear-resistant materials with a long service life
- The maintenance cycle is 6-12 months, requiring only the replacement of a small number of vulnerable parts and regular inspection of the battery, with low labor and parts costs
- Compared to commercial floor scrubbing machines, due to their lightweight material, low load-bearing capacity of the power system, easy wear and tear, and high maintenance frequency (monthly or every two months), maintenance costs may be higher in the long run
After Sales Service and Equipment Availability
Industrial Scrubber: Most manufacturers provide on-site maintenance and regular inspection services to ensure long-term equipment availability and reduce downtime. For large-area, high-frequency cleaning environments, the high availability of industrial floor scrubbers directly improves work efficiency and reduces the hidden costs caused by operational interruptions.
Commercial Floor Scrubber: After-sales service is usually limited to telephone or online guidance. If a malfunction occurs, the company needs to contact the repair shop itself, which may cause the cleaning plan to be interrupted.
Conclusion
Industrial scrubbers are expensive because they are positioned in the high-intensity, large-area cleaning market, boasting powerful performance, high durability, and low maintenance costs. Therefore, when choosing cleaning equipment, companies should take into account the usage scenario, cleaning area, and budget. For long-term, large-scale, high-frequency cleaning needs, industrial scrubbers are a more worth while investment choice.
