When it comes to buying a floor grinder, there are several options – a ride-on grinder or walk-behind model, planetary or rotary grinder, and also whether you should buy a propane or electric floor grinder. If you’re deciding between propane and electric, one is not better than the other, – in fact, from a performance perspective, they’re very evenly matched. The difference is they both have their benefits and challenges depending on how and where they’ll be used. To help you determine which option is best for you, we’re going to walk you through whether you should buy a propane floor grinder or an electric one.
Choosing a Propane Floor Grinder
The Benefits of Propane
A concrete grinder run on propane gives you the convenience of not having to worry about a cord or an appropriate power source. As long as you have propane on hand, you can operate it anywhere there is good ventilation and anytime. If you do a lot of wet grinding, this means you can work without a dust collector and cords, offering a more productive, efficient experience.
The Challenges of Propane
While the convenience of using a propane floor grinder is great, there are challenges. Propane grinders are loud, so if you’re working in a neighborhood or commercial area where they may be people living and working nearby, it may not be the best option.
Also, a propane machine requires working in a space with good ventilation and additional maintenance. The maintenance itself is not difficult nor time consuming, generally, but it is something to consider.
Choosing an Electric Floor Grinder
The Benefits of Electric
An electric floor grinding machine offers the same benefits and challenges as propane, only in reverse. An electric grinder is significantly quieter to run and doesn’t require special ventilation, so using it indoors or in a commercial or residential area won’t be as much of a disruption.
Also, they don’t require as many maintenance requirements, which can save you time.
The Challenges to Electric
With an electric machine, you’re tied to a power source, whether it’s a wall outlet or a generator. This can be problematic when you’re in remote areas or working outdoors where a proper power supply isn’t easy to access.
Choosing an Electric or Propane Concrete Grinding Machine
When you’re shopping for a concrete grinder, the best thing to do to choose between electric or propane is to simply weigh where you will be working most often and what your needs as a contractor are. If much of your work is indoors with readily available power, electric is probably right for you. On the other hand, if you often work outdoors, on sites without power, or projects like asbestos abatement, propane is probably the better option.
Contact Us for the Right Floor Grinder for Your Business
No matter what type of concrete floor grinder you choose, we can help you find the best one for your business. We partner directly with trusted brands so we can sell durable, powerful surface preparation equipment at lower prices. To learn more or to get a quote, reach out to our customer service team today at (815) 472-9740 or by filling out our contact form to get started!