Carpet and floor care are among the most time-consuming tasks a custodial team must tackle. Floors tend to be one of the dirtiest surfaces to clean and their sheer size means the job takes a long time. Larger ride-on sweepers can cover a lot of square footage in a short amount of time, increasing productivity and reducing labour costs.

That's why many custodial teams opt for ride-on carpet sweepers to clean their surfaces. But these machines may not be right for every facility. If you are thinking about purchasing a ride-on sweeper, here are some things to consider so you can clean more effectively, quicker and at a lower cost.

1. Environment and Storage

Is the location a good fit for an oversized machine? Ride-on sweepers are best for single-level buildings (unless there's a freight elevator), facilities with wide open areas and long hallways, and those that have ample storage space for the machines when not in use.

Ideal facilities include convention centers, hotels, hospitals, airports, casinos, large universities and warehouses. Upright vacuums may be more ideal for areas with many small rooms, tight hallways and those lacking sufficient storage space. Many manufacturers also offer more compact and agile walk-behind sweepers that can maneuver into tighter areas for optimum cleaning.

2. Power Sources

Battery power provides extended runtime with the freedom to operate away from an electrical outlet. It's the ideal way to save time and money when cleaning floors. Eliminating cords also helps reduce the risk of slip-and-fall accidents in your facility, allowing you to clean your space efficiently while minimizing workplace injuries. Air quality is also improved with battery-powered machines. Cleaning equipment that runs on fuel gives off emissions. Battery-operated sweepers don't produce emissions, helping maintain air quality for employees and visitors. There's another benefit to battery-powered sweepers. They're quieter, meaning you can clean anytime of the day or night without disruption.

3. Surface and Debris Types

Ride-on sweepers with adjustable brush heights are versatile and can pick up a variety of debris from carpet and hard-surface floors. Models are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. A carpet sweeper can also pick large debris off the floor that may be too big for a walk-behind sweeper or vacuum to handle.

4. Ease-of-Use

Increase ease of use with a powered-high dump configuration for dumping collected debris. Or, opt for a low-dump configuration that has a telescoping handle to increase ease-of-use for operators of all heights. You’ll also want to look for an intuitive operator interface that allows for simple operation. Some ride-on sweepers offer one button to start cleaning and a memory function that stores machine settings.

5. Manoeuvrability

Look for a manoeuvrable yet powerful sweeper with a tight turning radius to clean in more congested areas. Some sweepers offer on-board vacuum wand accessories that are easy to access. This makes it easy to recover small debris and clean in tight spaces without getting off the machine.

6. Filtration

Exceptional dust control helps maintain health and safety while protecting your facility assets from dirt or damage. Select a ride-on sweeper with a multi-stage dust control system to ensure you are maintaining indoor air quality by containing dust generated during sweeping.

7. Carpet Fiber

Make sure your ride-on sweeper has incorporated technology to effectively capture carpet fibers for maximum efficiency.

8. Maintenance

Save time and money by ensuring routine maintenance items are checked regularly. Look for ride-on sweepers with easy-to-identify yellow maintenance touch points that help make pre-inspections and routine maintenance quick and easy. Also, look for ride-on sweepers with brushes that are designed to be removed easily and quickly for inspection and replacement with no additional tools required.

Carpet Sweepers vs. Vacuums:

Size and productivity are definitely considerations when deciding between a carpet sweeper and a vacuum. But it may also be helpful to know how these machines work. Both utilise a brush and vacuum/suction to remove debris and soils. The brush on a vacuum agitates debris and the machine's suction picks it up. A ride-on sweeper utilises its brush to flick debris into the hopper. The suction controls the dust generated from the cleaning process.

A ride-on sweeper makes for efficient floor cleaning in larger buildings where productivity is key. Vacuums may be the best option for smaller, compact spaces that require a lot of maneuverability.

Contact your Tennant Co. sales representative today to discuss your options and learn which type of equipment is right for your facility.