What to look for in a floor machine

Floor burnishers High-speed machines, also known as burnishers, rotate at more than 10 times the speed of a conventional buffer, usually between 1,500and 3,000 RPMs.
Burnishers rotate faster than bufers, but they also are much heavier, which helps provide a “wet-look” shine and maintain fioors quite wellThey also are much more complicated, requiring more maintenance and upkeep than a traditional buffer.When deciding what type of bumisher to buy, consider the power source. Some burishers are electric-cord powered: others are baerypowered: and others run on propane.

Electric-cord burnishers: The electric cord burnisher is the least expensive, the lightest and the easiest to maintain. Because it is lighter,it is best used for smaller spaces such as individual offices and small office buildings
By changing a pulley on some corded models, the machine can be adjusted to about 350 RPMs. At this lower speed – and with asplashguard attached -the burnisher can be used for stripping a floor as well.
When used for burnishing or polishing, it’s a good idea to purchase a dust catch -the high speed of these machines can make dust a realproblem.
Electric cord burnishers usually come with a 50-foot, 14-gauge power cord. Battery-powered bumnishers. Battery-powered burishers do an’acceptable job” according to Ear, who has more than 40 years in the janitorial supply business. Hospitals and medical centers oftenprefer the battely-powered units because they enable one worker to cover a larger area more quickly, he says. Both the electric andbattery operated machines have a standard base size of 20 to 24 inches
These units also should have a dust control attachment to capture as much dust as possible.
Propane burnishers: The propane bumnisher is the “big daddy” of the floor machines. lf your client ist includes large retall stores, you willhave little choice but to use a propane burnisher to maintain these massive locations.
Propane bumnishers today often are walk-behind units with a 20- to 27-inch rotating base. They can reach speeds up to 3000 RPMs. Theiheavy weight_285 to 320 pounds-helps produce the best floor shine possible.
While bufers have just a few parts, propane burishers have a larger variety as well as much more complex engines. They are more like asmall car and need to be maintained as such. The ollitself should be checked and changed on a regular basis. They also have catalyticconverters that need maintenance and attention from time to time as well.