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Term
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Definition
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Importance
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Attenuator
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The barrier in front/above the sweeping main broom or cylindrical scrub brush, which deflects the debris into the proper direction.
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This barrier ensures the dirt and litter goes into the hopper, instead of bouncing back out or traveling over the top of the broom. When properly mounted, it is spaced less than 1/8" off the tips of a new main broom.
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Baffle
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A dividing wall inside the floor scrubbers' recovery tank, which isolates the foamy water from the vacuum intake.
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A properly designed baffle offers increased protection of the vacuum motor from foam ingestion, and therefore costly repairs. They also reduce the water sloshing back and forth, which can disrupt the scrubbers' stability on turns.
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Baghouse Filter
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Similar to the filters used inside large factories or foundries, a baghouse filter has the ability to offer airflow (dust control) even after covered fully in dust.
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Highly sought after filtration on industrial sweepers, as they've earned a reputation for superior dust control, capacity and often last the life of the machine, saving the customer money.
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Battery Amp Hour
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Identifies the capacity (volume) of a given battery of equal voltage.
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If comparing batteries of equal voltage, the greater the amp hour (ah) the longer the scrubber of sweeper will operate on a charge. Quality batteries and matched to the appropriate charger, will ensure long run time and life expectancy.
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Battery Box/Drain
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The box that contains the batteries and any electrolyte spill, with a hose at the bottom to drain off the hazardous fluid.
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Preferably made of corrosion resistant plastic, the battery box is preferably the height of the tallest battery and able to contain 100% of the electrolyte inside the batteries. This offers protection to the frame and components from broken batteries or spills from overfilling. A drain hose and valve allows the operator to move the machine to a preferred location before discharging the acidic electrolyte.
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Belt Tension Arm
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The spring tension arm and idler pulley which keep the belt properly engaged to the drive pulleys on a sweeper or scrubber.
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As the main broom travels over large debris or irregular floors, it will move up and down. This movement changes the distance the belt must travel and therefore would impact the tension. The spring arm adjusts for this, increasing sweeping performance and belt life.
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Break-away
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Describes a floor scrubbers' squeegee or other mechanism which will break away (via slots) when impacted.
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This feature helps avoid costly repairs as the device may break away on impact instead of being damaged.
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Brush Driver
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The engagement device between the scrub motor and the scrub brush.
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Should be made of a durable material that is resistant to both abrasion and harsh chemicals (high and low pH). As the brushes or pads on the scrubber must be regularly removed or rotated, the easy displacement of the brushes is important. The driver on a disk scrubber should also allow for the brush to gimble and move over irregular floors.
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Brush Idler
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Applicable to "cylindrical" shaped scrub brushes or sweeping brooms, the idler is the side opposite the "driven or powered" side.
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Like the "driver" the idler must be made of a quality material. On cylindrical scrubbers and sweepers, the idler should be easily installed or removed for scheduled maintenance.
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Central Command
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The single dashboard and control box which houses all electric control devices (relays, circuit breakers, switches, pmc controllers, diodes, potentiometers)
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By housing the majority of the electrical components inside a single sealed box, the length of wiring can be reduced and service simplified with easy access.
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Chevron Pattern Broom
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A "V" shaped or "W" shaped pattern to the tuffs of broom / scrubber fibers inserted into the core.
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The shape is preferable, as it sweeps the debris into the center of the hopper. It requires the use of a "trailing arm" suspension however, which has the added benefit of eliminating the broom reversal, caused by excessive pressure and the resulting bristle bend.
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Corner Wheels
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A single or pair of small wheels at the corners of the machine or mechanism.
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Usually mounted at the edges of the squeegee, wipers or scrub deck, these smaller corner wheels are only designed to offer minimal protection and for lighter mechanisms.
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Curtains
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Both Sweepers and Scrubbers will utilize curtains to contain dust or splashing at the point of cleaning.
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On sweepers the curtains should be designed to maximize airflow and direct it a manner that provides the best dust control. On scrubbers the curtains must survive harsh chemicals and be easily adjusted or replaced as they wear.
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Cylindrical Scrub Deck
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This scrub deck system uses a pair of brushes in the shape of tubes, which typically counter rotate (i.e.… towards one another)
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Growing in popularity, the cylindrical scrub brushes have the desirable ability to sweep up small liter as they scrub the floor. Thus eliminating the labor to presweep the floor first, or at least reduces the potential problems encountered with debris on the floor (clogged squeegee hoses, streaks behind the squeegee or scratches in the floor surface.
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Direct Throw
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Describes a sweeping system in which the broom is behind the hopper, and sweeps directly forward into it.
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Direct Throw sweeping is preferred in industrial applications, with sand, nails, rocks, and other litter. Unlike over throw, the sweeping performance will not reduce as the main broom wears down.
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Disk Scrub Deck
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The more traditional style of scrub deck on scrubbers, a disk deck utilizes between one and four flat/round brushes to scrub the floor surface.
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A disk scrubber has the ability to scrub irregular floors better if the disk brushes are "gamble" mounted. The ability of the brushes to pivot independent of each other, allows them to follow the contours of the floor and thus provide improved cleaning. Both disposable pads or longer lasting fibrous brushes can be used.
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Drain Saver
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A collection device on a scrubber which all incoming recovery water passes through, in an attempt to separate small debris from the dirty water.
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A quality basket is made from stainless material, and by collecting the small debris it helps avoid customers clogging floor drains when emptying the recovery tank. Especially important in applications where customers are draining into janitors' closets.
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Electric Actuator
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The electric ram which lifts and lowers scrub decks, squeegees, side brooms, and other mechanisms on a floor sweeper or scrubber.
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Quality actuators are designed to lift heavy loads and create maximum down pressure for heavy duty cleaning. The strong actuators are able to perform their tasks while operating at only 1/2 of their rated capacity, extending their life.
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Filter Shaker
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The electric ram which lifts and lowers scrub decks, squeegees, side brooms, and other mechanisms on a floor sweeper or scrubber.
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Quality actuators are designed to lift heavy loads and create maximum down pressure for heavy duty cleaning. The strong actuators are able to perform their tasks while operating at only 1/2 of their rated capacity, extending their life.
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Foam Filled Tires
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The tire on a sweeper or scrubber which is inflated with a rubber gel instead of air.
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As the tire is filled with a soft but "solid" gel material, they are preferred in applications with the potential for punctures and flat tires. NOTE: The are prone to "flat-spotting" if left parked for too long or strapped down tightly to a pallet.
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HD Side Doors
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Protective doors that surround the scrub deck in a manner to protect against collisions.
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Only available on a handful of machines, this is one of the features found on "Industrial" machines, not "commercial". The scrub deck is often the most abused part of a scrubber, and the HD Side doors will help customers avoid costly repairs from collision into poles, walls or pallets.
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Hopper
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The container on a sweeper or scrubber/sweeper that liter or debris is swept into. On a sweeper, the hopper remains dry, with a filter medium and airflow to contain dust. On a scrubber the hopper will be perforated to allow the scrubbing solution to flow out, while retaining the liter. This cleaning solution also helps to reduce dust.
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The larger the capacity of the hopper, then the great volume of debris it can hold, increasing the time allowed between stops to empty. The design and shape of the hopper must accommodate the retention of swept debris, and poor designs allow litter to fall back out. It is also important for the opening on the hopper to be large enough for easy emptying, as they tend to pack up full.
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Jaws
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Similar to "Side Doors" on a rider scrubber, these jaws at the front both contain the scrubbing water at the head, and also offer protection from collisions.
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Found on Industrial machines, the jaws are usually steel and mounted directly to the frame of the scrubber, thus offering protection to the scrub deck.
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Main Broom
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The cylindrical or tubular shaped broom on a sweeper, which sweeps the litter into a hopper or bin.
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A larger diameter broom, with tightly spaced tuffs will offer the customer better sweeping and a longer life.
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Non-Marking Tires
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Traditionally a light color of grey or white tire material, to reduce the potential for marks from tire steering or slippage.
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These tires are selected for use on highly polished floors where scuff marks must be avoided, but often offer less traction or life expectancy to standard rubber.
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Onboard Charger
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Applicable to only battery powered sweepers and scrubbers, the charger required to recharge the batteries can be permanently fixed to the machine.
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By mounting the charger to the battery sweeper or scrubber, the operator can choose to recharge the unit at any suitable wall outlet, instead of having to return to a single one. NOTE: This convenience does come with certain risks however, as the chargers are more likely to be damaged by water or dust. Even chargers "sealed" against water and dust can be problematic, since they can't ventilate the heat generated as efficiently.
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Onboard Soap
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Instead of depending on the large capacity drums of detergent, floor scrubber manufacturers have begun to mount soap containers and blending systems on the scrubbers.
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Onboard soap systems offer greater portion control and safety for the customers, but with an increase in equipment complexity.
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Over Throw
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Describes a sweeping system in which the broom is in front of the hopper, and sweeps debris up over itself and then into the top of the hopper, which is located behind the broom.
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Over throw sweeping was originally designed specifically to avoid a patent on direct throw, and is only preferred when picking up paper and leaves. Since the broom must pick up the debris completely over the top of the broom, the clearance between the broom and housing has a critical impact on performance.
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Overhead Guard
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Some applications require the rider scrubber or sweeper to have a protective Overhead Guard for the operator.
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Important in accounts with tall racking or anywhere that potential hazards from above exist. Overhead guards are not necessarily FOPS or ROPS certified.
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P7 Tires
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A proprietary rubber compound which offers superior traction on a wet floor, and retains a non-marking footprint.
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Combines the traction available with pneumatic tires with the advantages of a solid tire.
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Pleated Paper Filter
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The medium for filtration on a sweeper, which controls the dust, formed with tight pleats.
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Susceptible to damage from water, these filters require regular replacement by the customers.
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Pneumatic Tires
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The tire on a scrubber or sweeper which is inflated with air.
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An inexpensive tire, which often has superior traction and offers a compliant ride over rough floors.
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Powder Paint
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A painting process that involves a dry powder applied while an electric current runs through the steel part, thus creating an electric attraction.
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Scientifically shown to offer a floor scrubber or sweeper superior corrosion protection to plating or chrome, and available in a wide variety of colors.
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Rear Bumper
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A protective device at the rear of a rider scrubber or sweeper, designed to guard against damage to the machine from collisions in reverse.
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Depending on the visibility to the rear of the rider scrubber, the squeegee is commonly damaged from backing up into poles or pallets. A quality bumper in the rear offers some level of protection to the squeegee, which typically raises up in reverse automatically.
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Recovery Tank
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A scrubbers' recovery tank is used to hold the "dirty" water after it is retrieved from the floor.
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Vitally important on a floor scrubber is the ability to clean out the recovery tank. A fully accessible tank is preferred, which can be disinfected or thoroughly sanitized. This reduces undesirable smells and potential safety problems in food facilities. Like the scrubber's solution tank, a larger tank capacity will extend the cleaning time between time lost to drain/refill.
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Recycling
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An optional system which routes water from the recovery tank back down to the scrub deck for additional use.
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Suitable only in relatively clean environments, this system will allow the operator to extend the time between draining and refilling of the scrubbers' tanks.
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Recycling Flap
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The angled tab behind a sweeper's main broom, which deflects the occasionally litter which was pulled above the direct throw's sweeping broom.
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This tab can direct the debris back into the path of the spinning main broom and then into the hopper, this reducing the debris which is missed.
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Remote Vacuum Wand
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The combination of a metal wand, squeegee nozzle and flexible tubing for hand use.
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Permits remote use of the vacuum system, for under racking or into restrooms. Essentially transforming the scrubber into a wet vac.
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Scrub Motor
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The motor or motors used on a scrubber to turn the scrub brushes.
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Where the rubber meets the road. Powerful motors can operate under heavy loads and therefore offer superior cleaning or stripping. A Quality motor can survive operating for long periods of heat, and with longer intervals between the carbon brush replacement.
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Shrouds
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Simple and short coverings over the scrub deck on a scrubber.
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These lower mounted devices are preferred in commercial applications, where customers seek to scrub closer and under overhangs. The shrouds should be easily removed, allowing access to the scrub pads or brushes. NOTE: A weakness to "shrouds" is that they mount directly to the scrub head and so offer little protection from collision.
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Side Broom
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The visible and cone shape brushes at the leading corners of a sweeper.
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As they are used to sweep against walls, deep cracks, how far the side brooms extend the cleaning path is important. Equally to note, having the ability to adjust the side broom rpm can help control dust. NOTE: Protection for the side brooms is a consideration, along with whether their mounting allows for deflection at collision.
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Solution Filter
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Used to protect the more costly valves and/or pumps from debris in the clean solution tank.
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Quality filters are made from stainless steel screen, are large and easy to access. This provides long life for the customer, maximum protection and encourages frequent cleaning.
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Solution Pump
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A pump used to dispense the clean water/detergent to the scrub deck.
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Unlike a gravity fed system which will flow less as the water head in the tank is reduced, a pump feed deck will maintain a more constant flow as the tank drains.
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Solution Tank
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The solution tank on a scrubber is used to contain the fresh cleaning solution, which is then applied to the soiled floor
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A scrubber with larger solution tank capacity nets more productivity for the operator
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Solution Valve
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The valve used to control the flow of cleaning fluid (detergent + water) from the clean tank to the scrub deck.
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Harsh chemicals are often used to clean grease and build-up off the floors, so the solution valve must be made from quality components and internal seals. In addition, the valve should be located and mounted in a manner that accommodates easy removal for service.
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Spiral Pattern
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A continuous spiral or screw pattern of fibers around the core of a sweeping broom or scrubbing brush.
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The spiral shape is chosen for machines that require the sweeping broom or scrubbing brush to be reversed at regular intervals. A disadvantage to the shape is that like a screw, the spiral shape pushes debris and water to the side instead of forward.
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Spray Jet Hose
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The remote spray nozzle and hose length, powered by a dedicated pump, plumbed into the onboard solution tank.
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Allows for remote pretreating of heavy soiled areas or cleaning out the recovery tank fully when fresh water is not available at the drain site.
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Sq. Height Adjustment
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An adjustment on the scrubbers' squeegee used to change the distance from the blades to the ground.
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To achieve the preferred deflection on the scrubber's rear blade and to maximize the airflow/airspeed under the front blade, it is important to have the ability to adjust the squeegee height up and down.
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Sq. Pitch Adjustment
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The adjustment of the scrubber's squeegee forward and backwards.
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As most scrubbers have curved squeegees today, it is necessary to adjust the squeegee to achieve the correct contact with the floor, and desired drying performance.
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Squeegee
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Combines vacuum or suction with soft rubber blades on a body to scoop up and suck the scrubbers' dirty water off the floor.
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The shape of the scrubber's squeegee impacts its ability to leave behind a safe and dry floor. The design should also allow for easy servicing of the rubber blades, which wear out in use. Another factor to consider on the scrubber is the squeegees' ability to track behind the scrub deck and thus control water on turns.
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Tank in Tank
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Describes a design in which both the clean water solution tank, and dirty water recovery tank are molded into a single part.
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By incorporating both tanks into a single mold, a cost savings can be achieved in the initial tooling. Also, these designs are more efficient of the space, and thus typically have greater water capacities.
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Tip Back Tank
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Describes a tank of a scrubber which rotates backwards a number of degrees.
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The tip back tank feature provides superior access to service items, and thus encourages more frequent maintenance and reduces labor charges on repairs.
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Tool Less
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Refers to a maintenance component which can be removed and serviced without the use of tools.
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Commonly found on the scrubber's squeegee, brushes, filters, etc…it is preferable to allow for easy removal of wear items and encourage proper maintenance.
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Tower Rollers
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A series of wheels or rollers stacked vertically.
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Tower rollers spread the load of the impact, and thus protect both the scrubber or sweeper and also the walls of the customers. Heavy duty machines will have the rollers "shock" mounted via rubber grommets, and to the steel frame or deck, never the inserts in the plastic tanks.
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Unloader Valve
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designed to close under vacuum, but open when the vacuum is eliminated.
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Mounted to the scrub motors' vacuum box, the unloader valve should open and drain out water which may have collected. Under vacuum it should seal closed, retaining squeegee drying performance.
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Vacuum cfm
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Measurement of volume of air moved in cubic feet / minute
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Sweepers with greater cfm and fan power will offer superior dust control.
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Vacuum Lift
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Measurement of "suction" of air (fluid) moved in inches of lift
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Scrubbers with greater lift will usually dry irregular floors (cracks, holes) better.
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Vacuum Motor
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The motor/fan combination that moves air on a sweeper or scrubber. On a sweeper the fan is used to pull dust into a cleanable filter, where on a scrubber the vacuum pulls dirty water from the floor, via the squeegee.
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The vacuum motor must be guarded against water and debris, or else they quickly fail. Sweepers tend to have airflow that is high cfm, but little lift. Scrubbers are usually the reverse, with high lift and lower cfm.
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Vacuum Switch
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Switch
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The switch is used to detect clogs in the automatic scrubbers' squeegee hose, and engage either a light, horn or shut off of the vacuum motor.
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Wipers
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The side of the scrub deck will often have rubber material to help control water, on it's way to the squeegee.
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Quality wipers include an easy adjustment for wear, and are built to follow the irregularities in the floor surface. The scrubber's side wipers should be built with heavy duty materials and protection from collisions.
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Wire Reinforced Tubing
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Tubing with a coil of wire inside the material, as opposed to none or nylon reinforced mesh.
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The preferred tubing on a scrubber, as the tubing is less likely to pinch or bind around tight turns.
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