Best Commercial Walk-Behind Floor Scrubbers

Floors are one of the most trafficked areas in the building. Every day, dirt and soils are tracked across your floors, wearing down finishes and creating a dull appearance.  Permanent stains can be difficult to remove if not handled effectively and may require replacing part of your flooring, which is highly expensive and disruptive.

Floors require regular cleaning and maintenance to tackle the toughest stains and preserve its appearance. However, this can become tiresome and expensive if done using traditional methods.

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Automatic scrubbers eliminate the need for a traditional mop and bucket system. They can handle the toughest stains and marks and efficiently and effectively clean floors with increased power and a reduced amount of water and solution, providing quicker dry times and a hygienic clean.

Automatic scrubbers employ a solution dispensing system for mopping the floor and aggressively scrub and dry surfaces in one pass.  Some models are equipped with scrubbers that use charged water to clean the floor, eliminating chemical solutions.  These devices can clean higher square footage per hour and improve cleaning efficiency significantly.

Working of Automatic Floor Scrubbers

Automatic floor scrubbers comprise of three main processes:

Auto Dispensing: The auto scrubber releases a fixed amount of cleaning mixture from the solution tank on the floor. The cleaning solution is a mixture of water and a chemical solution to clean the surface. Some auto scrubbers can be used without chemicals, relying only on water and pad pressure to clean your facility’s floor.     

Scrubbing System: The scrubber will distribute water inside the brush, through its solution tank to the solenoid valve. Then the squeegee, along with the scrubber’s built-in vacuum system, will work to recover the water and distribute it to the recovery tank. A floor pad or brush located at the bottom of the machine scours the floor using the cleaning solution, removing dirt and grime.

The scrubbers are generally operated on a single pass, however for dirtier surfaces, you may want to run a “pre-scrub,” or a “double scrub” that may be ideal, where you first operate the machine only with a cleaning solution. The squeegee is positioned off the floor, and then runs the scrubber as usual in the second run.

Solution Recovery:  As the machine moves forward, a squeegee and a powerful vacuum system collect the dirty cleaning solution (slurry) from the floor, which is stored in an onboard tank. 

The squeegee and vacuum system’s combined features allow the floor to dry out quickly, reducing the likelihood of mishaps like slips and falls.

What are Walk-behind Floor Scrubbers

Walk-behind models can be pad-assisted driven or wheel-driven systems to make moving the machine easier.  The easy-to-move device reduces operator fatigue, thereby increasing productivity.

Walk-behind floor scrubbers are powerful cleaning machines that include sweeping capabilities, cleaning solutions, and brushes to scrub flooring, lift the debris off the floor and polish it. The cleaning liquid containing inside the floor scrubbers is sprayed on the floor, and then special scrubbing pads work efficiently to loosen the dirt and eventually clean the floor. After this process is finished, the waste liquid is sucked back into the machine through a special vacuum.

Also known as pedestrian scrubber-dryers, these devices are operated by standing behind the unit and holding the machine to guide the scrubbing machine while walking along behind it.  The machine is equipped with scrubbers including a tank that holds the cleaning solution and water mixture and a squeegee to recapture this liquid and quickly dry the floor.

Walk-behind floor scrubbers are larger than upright scrubbers but smaller than ride-on scrubbers. They are great for facilities ranging from 1,000 square feet to 100,000 square feet. Walk-behind scrubbers are more expensive as compared to upright scrubbers. Still, they have advanced features that enable the operator to be more productive and get more work done in the same amount of time as compared to traditional methods.

Walk Behind Floor Scrubbers are available in a wide range of sizes from as small as a lawnmower to much larger machines. They can be applied in almost all types of businesses: from grocery stores to even massive warehouses. They can effectively remove oil stains, grease, liquid spills, and any other sticky matters.

Walk-behind floor scrubbers come with a pretty wide variety of brushes and different accessories, offering the flexibility of using these units on almost all sorts of floors. They are easy to control and have a great less noise feature, which makes a comfortable use even in crowded places.

According to a study, floor scrubbers significantly lower the cleaning cost, and walk-behind models are twice more efficient for small spaces as compared to the riding units.  Both ride-on and walk behind floor scrubbers are operator friendly, and the personnel can be easily trained to operate them.

Floor scrubbers significantly decrease cleaning time and expenses and require minimal maintenance services. While the initial investment in purchasing these machines is higher, in the long run, the savings add up as compared to hiring professional cleaning services regularly.

Why Buy a Walk-behind Scrubber (Advantages)

Efficiency

Walk-behind scrubbers provide a flexible approach to floor cleaning. Instead of applying a fixed amount of chemical solution, the operator can control the amount of water and chemicals required to clean the surface based on the surface area. For example, floors with high traffic areas will need a lot more intensive cleaning than lightly soiled areas; thereby, it can use a less concentrated solution and less water to clean, reducing wastage.

Quick Cleaning

Walk-behind floor scrubber can offer the fastest way of scrubbing and cleaning the floors of both medium and large-sized facilities.

Less Manpower 

Cleaning large warehouses, halls, schools, and hotels, efficiently in a small time-frame becomes challenging for cleaners, especially if there are time constraints.  A walk-behind floor scrubber can perform the job of a team of workers in less time and requires one operator for cleaning. The device minimizes the need for the additional workforce for cleaning purposes and will deliver better cleaning consistently.

Things to Consider While Buying a Walk-behind Scrubber

There are few factors to consider when choosing an automatic floor scrubber to make the best purchase possible.

Machine Size: 

To determine the size of the machine, measure the size of the area required for cleaning, which is complete square footage, width, and the desired amount of time to be spent cleaning.

For a larger surface area, a ride-on machine would be ideal as it will be able to cover a broader area with consistent cleaning and speed. It will save the efforts to move the heavy floor scrubber dryer around. The ability to drive the machine will enable the operator to take fewer breaks, thus increasing efficiency. On the other hand, for or smaller surface areas, a larger device may be challenging to manoeuvre, and may not fit down aisles and hallways. 

Also, if a device is smaller than required, it will take longer than necessary to complete the cleaning, reducing efficiency. In those scenarios, walk behind floor scrubbers are ideal.

To determine what type of scrubber to purchase, calculate the width of doorways, hallways, and aisles. While most scrubbers are designed to fit through standard doorways, there may be areas in your building where the door size is slightly smaller than usual. Also consider tight spaces, such as kitchens and restrooms, where manoeuvrability is limited.

Power Source: 

Commercial scrubbers can be powered by a variety of options, including battery, plugged-in, fuel.

Corded machines need to be plugged in while in use. They are less expensive as compared to the rechargeable, battery-operated counterparts. However, the cleaning area should have multiple power outlets considering the cord length. These machine operators need to carefully manoeuvre around obstacles without tangling the cord.

Battery-operated commercial scrubbers run on rechargeable batteries. They are comparatively more expensive than corded machines but less than fuel-powered equipment, and they also do not emit fume exhausts. Battery-operated devices are convenient, as you don’t need to worry about cords or outlet proximity or to keep a supply of fuel. Most battery-powered machines allow you to charge them at any standard outlet. The battery’s range should be considered to ensure that it can clean the entire facility on a single charge. A scrubber with a higher amp rating would be ideal for a large coverage area as they are capable of holding the charge efficiently.

Fuel-powered floor scrubbers are generally driven by propane, though gasoline- and diesel-powered machines are also available, but they are mostly used in cold, harsh environments.

Adequate Charging Areas:

When your automatic floor scrubber dryer is not in use, it can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet to be charged. However, if your scrubber dryer uses lead-acid batteries, it can emit fumes while charging. For this reason, it is advised that any area you use to charge it is well ventilated. Newer floor scrubber dryers use deep cycle batteries; thus, ventilation is not a priority with these models.

Tank Size:

Floor scrubbers tanks store water mixed with a cleaning solution. The tank size determines the amount of the solution it can hold for cleaning in one go, without requiring a refill.

Loudness:

Look at the amount of noise generated by the machine, as an overly loud machine would be difficult to operate during working hours or even night time.

Additional features:

Some other elements can be considered, with one of them being able to modify scrubbing pressure, which comes in handy while tackling tough marks/stains. Another useful feature is the ability to change how diluted your water is with the cleaning chemicals. In some instances, you may want first to use water to clean the surface, and then add some cleaning solution later on.

Best Walk-behind Scrubber (With Reviews)

1. BISSELL BigGreen BGFS650 Hercules Scrub and Clean Floor Machine

The Bissell BigGreen Commercial Hercules BGFS650 is a compact scrub, clean and polish machine. The versatile floor scrubber is suitable for all bare floor surfaces, including laminate, tile, wood, vinyl, marble, and granite. The machine comes with a telescopic adjustable handle with a butterfly grip for extra stability. The BGFS650’s compact size and the long handle allows cleaning tight narrow spaces.  

The BISSELL BigGreen BGFS650’s powerful polishing heads rotate at 2200 rpm, and brushes clean and lift debris in a single pass.  The device comes with a wall and furniture protection bumper. The BGFS650 Hero is equipped with two brushes, two washable microfiber buffing pads, and two polishing pads. Furthermore, it has a 30-foot power cord with onboard cord storage and a 9″ wide cleaning path. Weighing 8 pounds, the device can easily be operated with one hand. A one-year manufacturer warranty backs the device.

Positive

• Compact and lightweight
• Versatile and manoeuvrable
• Unlimited Runtime

Negative

• Internal gears made of plastic on metal
• Not ideal for heavy-duty scrubbing
• Only one-year warranty

Why Buy:  The lightweight BISSELL BigGreen BGFS650 is easy to use and provides good value at the economic point.

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2. Viper Cleaning Equipment AS430C Cord/Electric Scrubber

The Viper AS430C is a versatile electric scrubber that is capable of cleaning tile, concrete, and even rubber floors.  The compact floor scrubber has an impressive productive rate of 12,739 square feet per hour, which is up to 5 times faster as compared to traditional mop and bucket systems. The commercial scrubber comes with a 17-inch head, combined with a 65-inch power cord that provides a broader area coverage and unlimited run time.

With a follow behind squeegee, all you need to do is pass over an area one time, and the machine will have laid down solution, scrubbed the area, and pick up that dirty solution. The Viper AS430C is equipped with a nylon brush and is manufactured with a heavy-duty cast aluminium chassis engineered to withstand heavy use in commercial settings (schools, office buildings & medical facilities).  It also includes a rounded squeegee assembly that picks up the slurry to allow for easy one-pass cleaning. The floor scrubber comes with a brush which is ideal for uneven surfaces such as grout lines or rubber, as well as a pad driver suitable for smooth surfaces like finished vinyl composition tile (VCT) and concrete.

The Viper AS430C’s easy-to-use control panel allows any user to step right up and start scrubbing with this machine. The machine casing protects the disc and vacuum motors from the water splash of the solution and recovery tanks. The commercial auto scrubber is backed by a five-year warranty on parts, two years on labor, batteries are prorated for 18 months & 180 days on travel.

Positives

• Easy-to-use fingertip controls
• Compact design, easy to manoeuvre
• Heavy-duty cast aluminium squeegee assembly for quick and complete solution pick-up

Negative

• Challenging to understand the owner’s manual
• Managing cord is a hassle

Why Buy: The Viper AS430C auto scrubber is easy to assemble and operate and provides one of the best values for a small scrubber. The long power cord allows work completion without worrying about charging batteries. Simply plug the device, dill it up, and start cleaning. Backed by a five-year warranty on parts, this machine is a great entry-level floor scrubber for commercial buildings.

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3. Powr-Flite PFMW14 Automatic Multitask Scrubber

The Powr-Flite PFMW14 multi wash scrubber is capable of cleaning carpet, tile, stone, linoleum, sports floor, and rubber matting. The trolley shaped floor scrubber uses an interchangeable cylindrical brush technology. The counter-rotating brushes provide deep scrubbing at 650 RPMs – over three times higher than rotary brush scrubbers and 4-6 times more contact pressure.

The multi wash scrubber employs counter-rotating brushes and recovery drums that allow the machine to dispense solution, scrub the surface, and recover slurry in a single pass. The machine utilizes low moisture cleaning that uses 30% less chemical and water.  The device is whisper-quiet and generates a sound level of 69 dBA that allows cleaning during business hours, and at night, it also meets LEEDs requirements.

The Powr-Flite PFMW14 can clean up to 5,500 sq. ft per hour and is also well-suited for rubber and sports floors. The robust brush mechanism and water recovery provide deep clean, picking up dirt left behind by weekly cleaning. At the same time, it is refined enough not to damage the floors. Even after repeated use, no brush marks can be found on the floor.  The device comes with a detachable one-gallon solution tank. It is also equipped with a standard Brush, a soft brush, a hard brush, an escalator brush, side brush, and a transport cart.

The Powr-Flite PFMW14 is ideal for a quick and easy cleaning solution for multiple floor types. With four brushes to choose from, nearly every hard floor care job can be completed with this multi wash scrubber. The device comes with an adjustable brush height for optimal brush pressure and is also equipped with foot-activated on/off switch to provide convenience while cleaning. The commercial scrubber is backed by a five-year warranty.

Positives

• Eco-friendly device
• Simple to use – fill with water, plug in and go

Negatives

• Cord heavy use and challenging to maneuver while cleaning
• The color of the water compartment is dark black- difficult to see how much water is in it without a flashlight.
• The water compartment is larger than the water collection container.
• Does not comes with directions for assembly

Why Buy: The Powr-Flite PFMW14 scrubber can clean nearly every surface within a building, leaving hard-to-reach grout and uneven surfaces looking new again.

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4. Qleeno QS101 Floor Scrubber

The Qleeno QS101 is a revolutionary automatic low-profile floor scrubber.  The device comes with a patented brush head that is only 7.5” high and is, therefore, the lowest on the market. Since most furniture’s standard height, industrial kitchen appliances are approximately 8 inches, the low height of the Qleeno QS101 makes it possible to clean underneath them, which would have otherwise required manual cleaning. The scrubber is also efficient in cleaning hard to reach areas such as underneath benches, lockers bathroom stalls, hospital beds.

The Qleeno QS101 scrubs and dries in one sweep and moves in all directions, making it an efficient operation. The machine’s edge is only 5.5” high, which enables access under footrests and other even lower obstacles. The compact scrubber is foldable and can be easily transported in a standard car.  The scrubber can be easily folded together and fits with ease in an average-sized closet. The device weighs only 66 pounds when empty, which makes it possible to roll and move up staircases where there is no elevator.

The unique design of the Qleeno QS101 allows it to consume very less amount of water and cleaning solutions, maintaining a competitive cleaning capacity, making it both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The device comes with two work modes for noise levels. At a push of a button, the device can be switched between the quiet mode and normal mode, which comes very handy in sound-sensitive environments and cleaning during working hours.

The Qleeno QS101 has a cleaning width of 15 inches and works at 180 RPM. The device is equipped with a 0.5 horsepower motor that exerts a pad pressure of 26.5 pounds. The solution and recovery tank are 1 gallon. The scrubber comes with a built-in easy to reach digital steering system that provides operators full operation at the fingertips. The device can work on a full tank for 30 minutes and operates at 150V, 1500 Watts, and 50 Hertz. The Qleeno QS101 comes with a 50-inch cord and is backed by a 1-year warranty.

Positives

• Low Profile
• Rotating Squeegees Design
• Environmentally Friendly
• Portability
• Flexibility with Easy 360°of maneuverability

Negatives

• Low capacity solution container

Why Buy: The Qleeno QS101 scrubber is easy to handle and provides great mobility. The machine is economical and environment friendly and also generates a low sound level.

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Maintenance and Warranty

Regular maintenance reduces the risk of machine breakdowns, which may lead to expensive repairs and the machine remaining idle. Regular maintenance helps you recognize potential concerns at the infancy stage and can be managed easily without hampering productivity.

Walk-behind scrubbers’ recovery tanks should be emptied and rinsed regularly to control odors and prevent buildup. Solution tanks should be emptied, as leaving the solution in the tank will clog up filters and adversely affect performance.  The squeegee or pads should be cleaned and rinsed thoroughly after every use, as a dirty squeegee will leave marks on the floor while cleaning, defeating the purpose of the scrubber.

Ensure that the floor is swept or dry mopped regularly so that no large dirt and debris remains on the surface. Grime or loose dirt particles can cause damage to the squeegee as well as additional wear and tear on a brush or pad driver. Dirt that becomes wet can create many issues in cleaning as well, as the mud then can spread around and become more difficult to remove.

Before purchasing a commercial floor scrubber, check the warranty for the time frame, what is included, maintenance options, and anything that requires an extra payment.

FAQs

What Type of Floor is ideal for Automatic Scrubber?

Floor scrubbers can efficiently clean cement, vinyl composition tile, rubber, ceramic, stone, marble, granite, and terrazzo flooring.

Please note that the tolerance level of all floor types is not similar, lest some flooring as marble will discolor if you use a strong cleaner with a very high or very low ph. Likewise, all floors do not tolerate pad pressure and vibrations. Terracotta tiles are brittle compared to vinyl, wood, or ceramic floors.