The history of electrically powered floor sweeping machines can be traced back to the early 1900s. Known as “divided weight” models, the bulk of the weight was placed upon their rear wheels.
The main drawback here was that these machines lacked sufficient speed; a very real problem when addressing larger environments such as warehouses and industrial locations.
Still, this was much better than applying carnauba wax and polishing a floor by hand. The good news is that things were about to change.
Even Weight Distribution
It did not take long for the average industrial floor sweeper manufacturer to realise that an even weight distribution would provide more power to the underlying cleaning heads.
Thus, we witnessed the birth of the “swing machine”; a unit which focused its weight upon the brushes contained within the centre of the unit.
Further advancements were made with the advent of variable-speed models. These entered into the marketplace during the latter half of the 1950s.
The main benefit in regards to this improvement is that they were able to tackle different types of surfaces. Furthermore, variable-speed units were much easier to manipulate than their predecessors.
Entering Into Modern Times
As floor polishes became more advanced, it was necessary for industrial cleaners to offer high rotational speeds. Speeds as high as 1,000 rotations per minute were commonplace by the 1970s.
When combined with more robust and durable cleaning pads, it is clear to appreciate why these machines had become integral portions of many commercial and industrial environments.
This very same sense of momentum has carried over into the 21st century. Precise computerised controls, numerous attachments, voluminous reservoirs, and speeds of over 2,000 rotations per minute have all become commonplace. It will be quite interesting to see what the future has in store.
In order to appreciate the current line of floor cleaning machines at your disposal, please feel free to call Cleanhire UK and speak with one of our customer service specialists.