Floor Cleaning Machines

By Dylan Mazeika

Hardwood floor cleaning machines are excellent tools for anyone who works with hardwood floors and other surfaces. They safely clean, shine, buff, and wax costly wood surfaces, and are far more efficient than using a cloth or other manual technique.

But what features should you look for in this type of equipment?

Power and weight

Commercial jobs that require this type of equipment take time and energy. So you'll want to find the best combination of power and weight possible. Most commercial machines come with at least 1 HP and a brush speed of at least 250 RPM and up to 1,500 RPM. Lower horsepower and RPM will mean that the job will take longer and require more force from the operator. On the other hand, machines with more horsepower and RPM cost more to buy and require more energy to run. So the choice here will be determined by the size of your facility and how much it will cost you per hour (including labor) for each machine you're considering.

Another concern to keep in mind is that you might not want hardwood floor cleaning machines that are too heavy, particularly if you are hauling your equipment to off-site jobs. Some can weigh as much as 200 pounds or more, while others might be as light as 50 pounds. Consider both the maneuverability and the person operating the machine before you make your decision.

Brush diameter

Covering large areas of floor with hardwood floor cleaning machines means that you will want the largest brush head you can find. Most industrial models feature a cleaning path that's between 13 inches and 20 inches. The "path" refers to the brush diameter, the width of brush that can fit on your equipment.

In general:

• Models with smaller diameters are better for tight spaces but take longer to complete big jobs
• Wider cleaning paths are excellent for large open spaces, like showrooms, but can have trouble with corners, nooks and crannies, and other tight spots

Solution tanks

An often-overlooked feature to consider when buying a hardwood floor cleaning machine is the solution tank, which holds whatever cleaning solution you are using on the floors. Commercial machines usually have large tanks, ranging from 4 to 10 gallons. This is helpful to operators who are responsible for cleaning large floors or numerous rooms in a home or office. Filling the tank takes time, which means it costs money. So depending on your application, this feature could potentially save you time and money on each job.

Find the right dealer

One way to make sure you get a hardwood floor cleaning machine that can handle your jobs without spending too much is to locate a trustworthy dealer. By interviewing several dealers, you'll be able to get a sense for which really want to help you choose the right equipment for your needs, and which are just interested in selling you the most expensive piece of equipment they can.

To get started, use BuyerZone's free request for floor cleaning machine price quotes. We'll connect you to multiple qualified dealers in your area, then you choose which one offers the best deal for your needs.