Are you still worried about low cleaning efficiency in large floor areas? Are you still putting up with watermarks and stains left behind by mops? Don't worry! There is a good solution to help you.
A walk-behind floor scrubber is a powerful cleaning floor machine used in commercial and industrial settings. It can dry the floor in one go, greatly improving cleaning efficiency. Many people do not use the scrubber yet or have less experience with it, so they are not familiar with operating the floor machine.
In this guide, we will help you learn how to use the scrubber and help you get a new floor.
What do you need to know about a walk-behind scrubber before work?
Before starting to operate the walk-behind floor machine, understanding its components is helpful for using it well.
The Basic components of a walk-behind machine
1. Cleaning system
- Solution tank: Used to contain cleaning water and detergent. Before starting cleaning, you need to mix water and the specified cleaning agent in the correct proportions. The machine will spray the mixed cleaning liquid on the floor.
- Brushes or Pads: Key components; It is used to scrub the floor directly by rotating brushes or pads. Brushes are often Disc brushes, roller brushes.
2. Recovery system
- Squeegee Assembly: It is usually made of rubber or similar material strips that adhere closely to the ground. After cleaning, it removes dirty water.
- Recovery Tank: The dirty water and debris generated after scrubbing the floor will be sucked into this tank by the vacuum system.
- Vacuum Motor: Generating powerful suction, drawing dirty water into the recovery tank through the water squeegee assembly.
3. Control and Power Systems
Control Panel/Handle: This is the interface through which the operator interacts with the machine. It is usually located above or near the control handle and features various buttons, switches, and indicator lights.
- Switch: used to start and shut the machine.
- Brushing Disc Lifting Control: Control the brush disc to raise or lower it, switching between cleaning and moving modes.
- Vacuum Switch & Squeegee Lift Lever: Controlling the lifting and lowering of the squeegee assembly to ensure that water can be sucked up during cleaning and that there is no wear and tear during movement.
- Solution Flow Control Knob: Control the amount of cleaning agent sprayed and adjust flexibly according to the degree of dirtiness of the floor.
- Battery Charge Indicator: It helps users keep track of battery power at all times to avoid power outages during work.
Power System: It is the "heart" of the machine.
- Battery: Most walk-behind floor scrubbers use batteries as their power source to enable cordless operation and provide greater flexibility. Battery life and charger performance are critical to the efficiency of the device.
- Emergency Shut-Off Switch: It can cut the power immediately under an emergency condition, and stop operating.
- Motors:
- Brush Motor: It drives brushes or pads to rotate, providing the mechanical force required for cleaning.
- Vacuum Motor: It generates powerful suction to draw dirty water into the recovery tank.
- Drive Motor: Walk-behind floor scrubbers are divided into two types: brush deck-assisted drive and self-drive. Brush deck-assisted drive requires the operator to apply a certain amount of thrust. The latter can control the machine to move forward or backward by controlling the button or handle on the control panel.
- Wheels: It supports the entire machine and enables smooth movement.
The applicable areas of the walk-behind floor scrubber machine
The floor cleaning machine is ideal for small and medium-sized spaces, compact layouts, or areas with high traffic flow. Including:
- Commercial and Public Spaces: shopping malls, supermarkets, hotel lobbies, train stations, airports, and ports.
- Industrial and Warehouse Environments: Factories, logistics centers, warehouses.
- Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other places with high hygiene requirements.
- Educational Institutions and Public Facilities: Schools, conference rooms, gyms, and public hallways.
Preparation before using a walk-behind scrubber
In order to use the floor machine effectively and safely, you should make enough preparation before starting the machine.
1. On-site safety inspection:
If you are going to operate any machine, you must remember: safety first.
- Give it a quick sweep: Before you start cleaning, make sure the work area is free of debris, such as stones, paper scraps, or other things that could get stuck in the machine. This not only protects the floor scrubber but also makes the operation smoother. Because your scrubber is a master of washing and scrubbing, but it's not a garbage truck.
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- Set up warning signs: You're about to be working with water, which means the floor will be damp. Therefore, you should place some warnings in the cleaning areas. Such as "slippery floor" or "cleaning" warning signs around the area. It can remind passers-by to pay attention to safety and prevent accidental slips.
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2. Check the device's condition:
Make sure the scrubber itself is in optimal working condition.
- Check component integrity: Confirm that the brush disc or pad is securely installed and that it has no visible wear. Check whether the squeegee scraper is intact to ensure that it can be effectively scraped. Adjust the pressure and height of the brush according to the type of ground.
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- Check the power charge: Before starting the equipment, you need to check the battery to see if it is sufficient. This avoids interruptions during cleaning due to running out of power.
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3. Wear personal protective equipment:
Although it is relatively safe to operate a floor scrubber, it is wise to wear appropriate protective gear.
- Wear gloves: You might be handling cleaning chemicals when filling the tank. A pair of gloves is always a good idea to protect your skin.
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- Wear Safety Shoes: You'll be walking on a surface that is momentarily wet. Thus, wear non-slip safety shoes to prevent accidental slips.
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4. Cleaning solution preparation:
The right cleaning solution ratio is key to achieving the ideal cleaning results.
- Choose the right cleaner: Choose a specialized neutral or mildly alkaline cleaner based on the floor material (such as tile, concrete, epoxy flooring, etc.) and the type of dirt.
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- Proportional formulation: Strictly follow the product instructions, add an appropriate amount of detergent to the clean water tank, and add clean water. Do not exceed the maximum water mark to avoid overflow.
- Notice: If it is easy to foam, don't forget to add some defoamer to prevent too much foam during operation.
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Finally, conduct a safety test before using the machine to make sure that the emergency stop button and other controls are responsive and dependable. Plan your path of cleaning to avoid having to clean too often and neglecting some areas.
Step-by-step guide on how to operate a walk-behind floor scrubber
After the preparation work is completed, you can start operating the walk-behind floor scrubber. Here are the operating instructions.
1. Start the machine and enter the workspace:
- Power on: Turn the key to the “on” position or press the power button to start the machine.
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- Lower the brush disc and squeegee: Use the buttons on the control panel to gently lower the brush deck and squeegee to the working position. Ensure that they are both in close contact with the floor.
- Start water flow: Open the outlet valve of the clean water tank to allow the cleaning solution to flow to the brush deck.
- Planning your cleaning route: In order to improve working efficiency, you can start scrubbing from the farthest corner of the area, then work your way toward the exit.
2. Start the cleaning work
- Moving forward at a steady speed: When you push it, you should not use too fast a speed. Using a steady speed is a good choice. In this way, you can ensure that the brush deck has enough time to remove dirt to get a good cleaning result.
- Maintain a straight path: Think of it like mowing a lawn. Your goal is to clean in straight, predictable lines. So you try to follow a straight path as much as possible. When you get to the end of a row and turn around to start the next one, make sure you overlap your last path by an inch or two. This is a useful method for avoiding any missed, dirty stripes on the floor.
- Dealing with stubborn stains: If you meet a stubborn stain, you can leave the area on for a few more seconds or try the second cleaning.
- Clean corners and edges: For corners that are difficult for your machine to access, you can lift the brush disc slightly, turn the machine, and put it back down.
- This is a Walk-behind floor scrubber's advantage. The machines are flexible enough to meet a wide range of cleaning challenges. Like cleaning these corners, it can push it flexibly to clean them. However, rid-on scrubbers are not fit for the small and tight spaces.
3. Finish Up and Clean the Machine
When you finish the cleaning task, you should follow the steps:
- First, turn off the water flow.
- Second, lift the brush disc and squeegee.
- Finally, drive the scrubber back to its storage spot. Once it's parked, just turn the main power key or switch to 'Off'.
Post-Use Cleaning and Maintenance: the key to extending the life of the floor scrubber
After completing the cleaning task, it is crucial to perform post-use maintenance correctly. This not only maintains optimal performance but also significantly extends its lifespan. The steps are as follows:
1. Empty and flush the recovery tank: First, you need to push the machine to the drain area, then get that dirty water out of the tank. Next, use the clean water to rinse the tank.
You need to perform the above steps instantly; otherwise, there will be odors and bacterial growth.
In addition, the solution tank (the clean water one) also needs cleaning, so you can use a hose or a bucket of clean water to rinse it. This step can prevent chemical buildup and keep everything fresh.
2. Clean the brush disc and squeegee
- Brush disc/ pad: After removing the brush plate or scrub pad, you need to rinse it thoroughly with clean water and remove any hair, threads, or debris that may be wrapped around it. Make sure they are completely dry before reinstalling them.
- Squeegee: Check the squeegee's scrape for residue. If so, wipe clean with a damp cloth. If the scraper is worn, it should be replaced in time to ensure the water absorption effect.
3. Charging and storage
- Charging: This is easy, but many people tend to forget this step. Therefore, do not connect the machine to the charger for charging. Make sure the battery is fully charged before the next use.
- Storage: Store the machine in a dry, well-ventilated place. When storing, it is best to lift the brush deck and squeegee to avoid deformation caused by prolonged contact with the ground.
4. Check the regular parts
Finally, quickly check the exterior of the machine to ensure there is no obvious looseness or damage. Regular inspections and simple cleaning can help you detect potential problems early, thereby avoiding costly repairs.
Conclusion
With the above step-by-step guide, you can see how a walk-behind scrubber operates. As a cleaning floor machine, the walk-behind machine is applied in many areas and has become popular among many people. Because it plays an important role in cleaning the floor, and it's convenient in many spaces. Using the right walk-behind scrubber and operating it with the above steps can help you gain a new and clean environment.
Need a walk-behind scrubber to create a clean and comfortable environment?
When looking for an efficient and reliable floor cleaning solution, Lvtong's walk-behind floor scrubber is undoubtedly your ideal choice. As one of China's leading cleaning equipment manufacturers with 21 years of production experience, Lvtong is committed to developing and producing industrial floor scrubbers with perfect quality, ultra-long service life, and outstanding performance.
Wide range of applications and ground types: Ideal for logistics warehouses, medical care, hotels, schools, airports, factories and so on; cement floor, epoxy floor, diamond sand wear-resistant floor, ceramic tile and marble floor, PVC floor, rubber floor.
Integrated high-efficiency cleaning capabilities: Combines brushing, suction, and drying functions in one device. It significantly increases productivity and saves on labor costs.
Excellent cost-effectiveness and return on investment: Both the purchase cost and daily maintenance cost are at a “low” or “medium-low” level.
User-friendly and intelligent operation design: Features a high-strength body/chassis and long-lasting battery.
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