Cleaning & Maintenance Cleaning Machines

Scrubber-driers

While scrubber-driers are ideal for cleaning, proper functioning of the machine depends on regular maintenance and servicing. A few simple steps every day will ensure that the machine functions properly.

Although, using a scrubber-drier is not that difficult in principle, plenty of mistakes can still occur. This begins when filling the machine with water and cleaning agent/detergent. Incorrect dosage of the cleaning agent is one of the major mistakes made by operators. If the dosage device is not available on site or the machine does not have an on-board dosage unit, in majority of the cases the operator has the tendency to add more cleaning agent than required. This in turn may be responsible for a poor cleaning result. The other errors include insufficient maintenance and inadequate servicing of the machine. Checking the squeegee and the squeegee rubbers/seals is important. Worn squeegee rubbers or the ones which haven’t been cleaned sufficiently lead to a poor vacuum suction result. The same applies to blockages in the squeegee or in the suction hose. As a result, the suction performance is impaired and the water applied to the floor cannot be vacuumed up completely.

Equally important are the scrubbing tools which should be checked regularly, whether one is dealing with pads or brushes. The operator should check that there are no foreign bodies in the brushes or under the pad. Such contaminants in the scrubbing tools could cause irreparable damage to the floor. With regular checks, it is easy to determine what condition the brush or pad is in and whether it needs to be replaced with a new one. Unfortunately, there are attempts made to clean with brushes or pads that are completely worn. It sounds unbelievable, but it happens more often in most places.

Checking the clean and dirty water filters is also part of daily maintenance. Thorough cleaning of the dirty water tank each time the machine is used is a must. It is essential that the operator is familiar with the machine and has been trained on it competently & extensively to ensure proper and economic usage of the cleaning machine.

Kl aus Serfezi

Ride-on scrubber

Ride-on scrubber is a machine which should be used by an operator who knows all safety norms and has proper training about its operations. Adherence to proper guidelines is essential for effective performance of the machine.

Batteries: Improper care and maintenance of batteries can reduce their life. While checking for the water levels in the battery, operators have to ensure that the lead plates inside the battery are always covered with a minimum of one centimetre water. Use of anything other than battery/distilled water is harmful to the battery. Operators must refrain from using tap water, as it will cause permanent damage. Besides, the battery should be kept clean & dry and the poles greased to avoid corrosion. Batteries need to be charged for a minimum of eight to 10 hours and in the right way. For this, the machine should be disconnected from the battery cable and the charger connected before starting to charge. Once charged, the charger main power should be turned off, charger disconnected from the battery cable, and battery cable connected to the machine before operating. For better performance, the battery should be of a good brand and probably gel based which ensures good life and value for the money.

Squeegee Cleaning: The operator never cleans the squeegee till it stops working. Squeegee should be cleaned daily after use for effective performance of the machine.

Brush Cleaning: Brush should be cleaned daily after use for the better life of the brush, bristles and brush hub. Some ride-on machines have features like adjustment of brush pressure for effective performance. The bristle size of the brush should be monitored and replaced if required.

Recovery tank and suction grid with Float Cleaning: Operators do not look at the tank till the machine stops suction. The recovery tank and suction grid should be cleaned daily after use and flushed with good water for the better life of the motor, seals and the tank. The float ball basket should be cleaned and checked for free movement of ball to prevent ingress of water into the motor. The new kickstand fixed to the recovery tank enables the machine to be left/parked with the recovery tank slightly open so that the machine can be charged in narrow areas (the small opening allows the gas dissipation) where it is not possible to completely tilt the recovery tank.

Squeegee Blades: A squeegee blade has to be checked for cuts in between on a weekly basis and replaced if needed. The blades can be removed and cleaned without tools

Side Skirt: Operators overlook maintenance of side skirts which should be checked weekly and replaced if needed. Side skits prevent the water from splashing when the machine is running.

Solution Filter: Connected between the solution tank and brush assembly, the solution filter usually gets chocked. The operator should always use liquid soap to clean the filter on a weekly basis. Use of liquid soap results in free flow of water on the brush and enhances life of the solution filter as well as saves life of electronic valve (Solenoid valve).

Regular Checks:

Screw and Nut tightening check: Operators rarely take a call on this. In the first eight hour shift, they should check all screws & nuts and tighten it and the same process should be repeated every six months or as per the requirement.

Squeegee cable sliding shoe lubrication: Operators do not check or lubricate the cable of sliding shoe. This should be done every six months or as per the requirement.

Parking break efficiency check: Operators should check the efficiency of the parking break daily, lubricate lever and cable every six months or as per the requirement.

Carbon brush: Carbon brush of the drive wheel and vacuum motor should be checked and replaced every year or if required.

Electric Component: Control circuit and drive circuit boards should be kept dry and there should be good ventilation, as these circuits are very expensive and the black box of the machine. There are light emitting diodes which give proper indication during a breakdown or when there are problems in operations with appropriate error code.

Gopal Shinde