What Are Ride-On Scrubber Dryers?

A floor scrubber, whether ride-on or otherwise, is a piece of commercial equipment that has been specifically designed to simultaneously clean and dry the floors it’s used on. As a powerful machine that gives exceptional results every single time, it’s no wonder that many warehouses across the world wouldn’t be without one.

If, however, you’ve never had one of these before, then you might not know how a ride-on scrubber dryer works, how to maintain it, its advantages and how to choose one that’ll seamlessly meet your requirements and exceed your expectations. That’s what we’ll be discussing in this article. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about ride-on scrubber dryers.

How does a ride-on scrubber dryer work?

A ride-on scrubber dryer does exactly what it says on the tin; the operator sits at the machine and uses the simple controls to clean and dry dirty floors at the same time. The hand controls are exceptionally easy to navigate and the machine itself can be operated effortlessly, but what does the machine actually do when it’s being used?

1. A mixture of detergent and water will be sprayed onto the floor, evenly
2. To pick up and remove dirt and debris, the machine comes equipped with scrubbing brushes that’ll run along the floor in an, often, circular motion
3. There’s a vacuum attached to ride-on scrubber dryers that’ll pick up the dirt and collect any dirty water, drying the area in the process for optimum safety

What are the different types of scrubber dryer, besides the ride-on model?

Ride-on scrubber dryers are just one of the scrubber dryer models on the market at the moment. Where each one will, pretty much, do the same thing as the other, there are some slight differences that make each machine unique. This is usually why warehouse owners will have more than one type of scrubber dryer at their disposal. Aside from ride-on scrubber dryers, here are the other models that are available:

Step-on scrubber dryer

These models combine the exceptional power of a ride-on scrubber dryer with the compact design of a walk-behind scrubber dryer. Most often used in and around smaller or more medium-sized areas, a step-on scrubber dryer is one of the most sought-after commercial cleaning machines out there right now as they’re incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of industries and settings.

Single-disc scrubber dryer

These are most commonly used for cleaning hard-wearing, robust and resilient floors. However, they can also be used in both a commercial and a domestic setting as they’re designed for continuous use throughout small or compact spaces as opposed to large or medium-sized areas. These can even be used on textile floor coverings, concrete surfaces and everything in between.

How to choose the best ride-on scrubber dryer for you

With a wide range of scrubber dryers available, it can be difficult to know which model would be best for you and your business. There should be a focus on things like size, the type of brush it comes equipped with and how the scrubber dryer is actually powered. With so many things to think about, here are a few key points to consider before choosing a ride-on scrubber dryer for your warehouse:

Consider the size

Think about the size of the area you need to clean. If you have a larger area to clean, then a ride-on scrubber dryer would be the most ideal commercial cleaning solution for you. If, however, your warehouse is small or even medium-sized, then you should, perhaps, consider another option, like a single-disc scrubber or a walk-behind scrubber as these are far more compact.

Look at the brushes

Different scrubber dryer models will have their own, unique brush heads and pads, each one used for a variety of applications and surface materials. Using the wrong brush head or pad could lead to ineffective performance or even floor damage if a robust brush head is used on a soft surface material. For example, a self-levelling brush head would be perfect for uneven floors.

Would you prefer a diesel or an electric model?

These days, ride-on scrubber dryers, and other models, are able to be powered by either diesel or electricity. Where internal combustion engine scrubber dryers are most effective when it comes to cleaning resilient, large floors, electric ride-on scrubber dryers are far more eco-friendly and quieter than its diesel counterpart.

You should also consider the cost of powering each one as, currently, the cost of electricity has soared, whereas the price of diesel is starting to come down. Weigh up the pros and cons of each, considering what could happen in the long run as well.

How to maintain a ride-on scrubber dryer

Ride-on scrubber dryers are important machines and so it’s imperative that they’re looked after properly to ensure your premises are clean and safe for everyone to navigate, whether on foot or operating a machine. When it comes to ride-on scrubber dryers and the maintenance they need, you will need to ask yourself the following questions:

• Has it been fully-charged (if an electric model)?
• Is it clean?
• Are the brush pads and heads in good condition?
• Has any part of the machine, including the brush head or pad, sustained any damage?

To help make sure you’re maintaining your ride-on scrubber dryer, like with the other pieces of material handling equipment you have, you must carry out daily and routine checks on your ride-on scrubber dryer. If you’ve checked the following parts of your ride-on scrubber dryer, and they need attention, make sure you ask a competent, trained person to rectify those issues for you. Some of things you’ll need to look at include:

• The battery (if an electric model)
• How the machine handles
• How the machine operates
• The fuel tank (if a diesel model)
• The brush head
• The pad
• The squeegee

6 benefits of a ride-on scrubber dryer

There are many benefits associated with scrubber dryers, no matter the model you acquire. This means that your business will be able to sustain a clean, safe environment no matter the industry you work in, the size of your premises or the size of your budget. Some of the advantages of scrubber dryers are as follows:

1. They’re easier, quicker and more hygienic than manual floor cleaning methods, such as with a mop and bucket
2. They’re safer than conventional floor cleaning methods, because the area will be simultaneously dried, meaning there’s no need for “wet floor” signage, although it’s still recommended that you put these out as a precaution
3. They’re highly-effective cleaning machines for a variety of different surface materials and hard floors
4. They’re eco-friendly, if it’s an electric model
5. There are a number of different options available that’ll suit your needs, requirements and budget
6. Scrubber dryers can be bought or hired from various material handling firms, including here at Multy Lift

Multy Lift have over thirty years of experience in the material handling industry. We have the extensive knowledge and expertise needed to be able to provide you with the equipment and advice you need to get the job done. Whether you need a ride-on scrubber dryer or another piece of warehouse equipment, including new and used forklifts, reach trucks, stackers and more, get in touch with a member of our specialist team today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.