Choosing the right equipment

Single Disc Scrubbers

The user has to first ascertain the quantum of job and type of job. If the area is large, then a single disc scrubber may give effective cleaning results but cannot give optimum productivity, as they are slower in operation in comparison to automatic scrubber dryers. However, considering the industrial conditions prevalent in India where floors are in dilapidated condition for many years, automatic scrubber dryers may not work well on rough floors or mucky floors. In such cases, it is only advisable to use a single disc floor scrubber.

Application & type of cleaning job:

The utmost important criteria for choosing a floor scrubber according to us, is the type of cleaning job. Also, if the user is a contractor specialising in in-and-out jobs or one who performs other specialized operations such as carpet shampooing, marble polishing, scarifying etc. single disc scrubbers are most versatile machines and easy to transport from one place to other thereby giving more flexibility to the buyer and user.

Manufacturer & technical specifications:

The reputation and background check of the manufacturer have to be well studied. Since single disc scrubbers have more longevity compared to other machines. It is always advisable to check how long the manufacturer has been in this business. While for most machines, five years could be a good life period, single disc scrubbers can last much more upto 10 years also if maintained well. The technical specifications of the machine given by the manufacturer translate into its applications and therefore, should be studied carefully.

Price & economics:

The price range of single disc scrubbers can vary vastly considering its country of origin. If the machines are being imported, the prices would be higher, than those procured from indigenous manufacturers because of sea freights and duties. However, quality of machines imported from not so technologically developed market are always questionable on grounds of longevity and spares support.

After sales support:

Buyers should always choose machines for which they can get prompt after sales support from a company’s nearby service centre rather than wait for weeks or months for someone from far away to attend to the service complaint throughout the life of the machine.

Cost & availability of consumables & spares:

Sometimes cost of consumables & spare parts, which need to be replaced on a regular basis depending upon the usage, is exorbitantly high. The buyer should always check this out before purchasing the machines. Sometimes, it would be a better option to buy a machine for which the spares & consumables are cheaper if the specifications of the machines are the same. However, more important would be the availability of these parts. The business of housekeeping service providers largely depends on the smooth running of their machines with minimum breakdowns. If the importer doesn’t keep the parts in stock which are, in almost all cases, required by the customer on urgent basis, the customer’s business tends to suffer. Even if the importer imports them on immediate basis through air courier, it would be an additional cost to the customer apart from the delay.
The customer should also check what he is getting along with the machines. Some vendors provide only the bare machine on the quoted price which is not sufficient for operating the machine while some suppliers provide all the accessories that can go with the machines possibly. In case of the former, the cost of consumables to add on to the machine could be very high and therefore not displayed at the time of the negotiations. In case of the latter, the supplier has to considerably increase his prices to provide the customer with entire set of accessories. Often, all these accessories may not even be required by the customer. He, therefore, ends up paying more than what he requires as per his application. The customer should always take the machine along with required set of accessories only.

Vacuum Cleaner

It is important to first make the right choice of the model/size of vacuum cleaner based on its application. Mostly, the contract cleaners will procure smaller size vacuum cleaners suiting their budget and in the bargain the machines are badly abused (overused) leading to breakdown.
Very often, dry vacuum cleaners have been wrongly used for wet suction and small vacuum cleaners used for very large areas. This again results in motor failure and the blame of poor quality invariably lands on to the supplier.
Take care of the following before making
a decision:

• Check the size of the site or application area.
• Based on the size and application, you need to select wet n dry vacuum or just dry vacuum – the right model/capacity, suction and airflow, power, and number of motors.
• The customer also needs to check if HEPA filter is required – these are specific requirements based on the specific applications.
• Then comes the price, brand and most importantly, local service available.
• Availability of spare parts and consumables is a must for continuous working of machine and giving the right output.

Back pack vacuum cleaners, silent vacuum cleaners, and other specific vacuum cleaners are required for hospitals, clean rooms and pharmaceuticals companies. Large, three phase vacuum cleaners are for the big industrial uses.