One machine for multiple jobs
October 1st 2008

Kevin Andrews, floorcare channel manager for Numatic International, says that for jobs that usually require a multi-machine approach, there may be a new solution in its new ride-on scrubber-dryer

When it comes to cleaning, especially in an industrial environment, there is no such thing as a straight forward job.The Floorcare team at Numatic International have been carrying out demonstrations and training for UK dealers over the past 10 years and in that time have solved problems in situations as diverse as the elephant house at Chester Zoo (a jumbo problem) to high-tech manufacturing sites in Formula One racing teams.

With the myriad of industrial floorings available, machine manufacturers have to ensure that their products are adaptable and able to cover most applications. "Whether it is polyurethane screed, solvent free epoxy resin or an anti-slip finish, the demonstrators need to be well equipped, experienced and capable of tackling pretty much anything," explains Nick Saunders,Numatic demonstrator.

Supplying cleaning machines to the engineering industry is another regular challenge.As well as cleaning oil and dirt from the walkways, invariably there are metal swarf and filings to contend with, therefore a multi-machine approach is usually needed. Large scrubber-dryers take care of the main traffic areas, compact scrubberdryers clean in and around the hard to reach areas and specialist swarf-vacs collect contaminants from the actual machinery.

One machine set to make problems like these easier to solve is the ride-on scrubber-dryer from Numatic. It is launched this autumn and previewed at Interclean 2008 in Amsterdam.The new TTV-678 has taken two years to develop and includes a number of new patented design elements. It has been developed to be as flexible and adaptable as possible.Outwardly it's one machine – but in actual fact – it's a range of three, covering three operating widths (650mm, 750mm and 850mm) by virtue of the adjustable vario system.

Another patented feature, the OBS (octagonal brush system) allows easy fitting and removal of the brushes on the machine.

"The operator can easily set the cleaning width for the job in hand," explains Tony Fleming from the demonstration team.

"Whether it is a narrow corridor with doorways to negotiate, or a large sports-hall or warehouse area. In my experience this flexibility is just what the customer needs." The TTV-678 also includes operator presets to control chemical dosing,water-flow rates and brush speeds; making it easy to switch from one cleaning job to the next.

There will always be a need in industry for a multi-machine approach to some situations, but with customers demanding multifunction machines to bring down costs, products like the new TTV- 678 are set to prove a real advantage.

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