If you have a large area of flooring to remove, a commercial floor scraper can get the job done in a fraction of the time it takes a manual option. Even better, a commercial scraper eliminates much of the worker fatigue and is effective on a multitude of materials, including mastic, wood, carpet, and thinset. Less time, less fatigue, better results – using a commercial ride-on or walk-behind floor scraper is definitely a smart investment for your business if you plan on doing any floor demolition projects!

Whether you’ve already got one and you’re not sure where to start or you aren’t sure if this equipment is right for you, we’re going to walk you through how to use both a walk-behind and a ride-on floor scraper. 

Choosing a Walk Behind Floor Scraper

Perfect for smaller spaces, like small offices or residential areas, walk-behind floor scrapers are low-maintenance machines that are easy to transport and store. If you plan on using a walk-behind option regularly, consider a self-propelled option for easier operation and comfort options like shock absorbing handles. Options like variable speed control allows you to work at the right pace for the material you’re removing. 

Choosing a Ride-On Commercial Floor Scraper

Ride-on floor scrapers are ideal for large, open spaces, like gymnasiums, outdoor sports tracks, warehouses, open offices, and large retail settings. These can travel up to 400 ft a minute and remove even the most stubborn adhesives and heavy tile. While they may look cumbersome to operate, most are designed to be easy to transport and offer efficient maneuverability. When choosing a ride-on scraper, you’ll want to consider if a battery powered option or a propane-powered model is right for you.

How to Get Optimal Performance from Your Commercial Floor Scraper

No matter if you choose a walk-behind or ride-on model, for best results, you’ll want to follow these general guidelines: 

  • Clear all furnishings and work in an empty space.
  • While most, if not all, floor scrapers can be used by one person, having a second person to sweep debris out of the path can save time and prevent damage and excessive wear on the wheels and undercarriage. 
  • Choose the right floor scraper blade for the task. A chisel-type blade is great for hard surfaces like tile and thinset while a flat blade can slide and lift under carpet and sheet vinyl. 
  • Adjust your blade pitch depending on your slab and the material you’re removing. Generally, you’ll want to have a lower pitch on a soft slab to avoid gouging, and a higher pitch works well against hard surfaces like tile. 
  • Try and work parallel to expansion joints and raised areas to avoid damage to your blade.

Contact Us for Your Commercial Floor Scraper

Whether you are interested in purchasing a ride on or walk-behind floor scraper or you aren’t sure what option is right for you, the product experts at Buy Manufacturers Direct can help! From powerful scrapers to replacement floor scraper blades and more, we have what you need at a great price. Contact us at  (815) 472-9735 or by filling out our contact form to get started!