---
title: "Floor cleaning machine terms explained | Sweepers PTY LTD"
url: https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/floor-machine-glossary/
description: "Plain-English definitions of the terms used on spec sheets for sweepers and scrubbers."
---

[KNOWLEDGE HUB](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/)/[SCRUBBERS](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/?topic=Scrubbers)

ARTICLE4 MIN READ

# Floor cleaning machine terms explained

Plain-English definitions of the terms used on spec sheets for sweepers and scrubbers.

REVIEWED 20 OCTOBER 2026 BY MARK SCULL, OWNER · SWEEPERS PTY LTD

IN THIS ARTICLE

[Browse machines](https://sweepers.com.au/product-category/scrubber-machines/)

Spec sheets use a lot of shorthand. These are the terms you will see most often.

## Scrubber terms

Term

Meaning

Scrubber dryer, auto scrubber

A machine that applies cleaning solution, scrubs the floor and vacuums the dirty water up in one pass.

Solution tank

Holds clean water and detergent.

Recovery tank

Holds the dirty water collected by the squeegee.

Squeegee

The rubber blade assembly at the back that gathers dirty water for the vacuum.

Disc brushes

Round, flat brushes that spin against the floor; the most common type.

Cylindrical brushes

Roller brushes that scrub and also sweep small debris into a hopper.

Orbital head

A pad that oscillates rather than spins; with the right pad it can deep-clean or remove floor finishes.

Brush pressure

The downward force on the brushes, in kilograms.

## Sweeper terms

Term

Meaning

Main broom, central brush

The cylindrical brush that throws debris into the hopper.

Side brush

A small spinning brush that pulls debris from edges into the main broom's path.

Hopper

The container that collects swept debris.

Panel or pocket filter

Captures fine dust from the air the vacuum fan draws through the hopper.

Filter shaker

Shakes dust off the filter so suction stays strong.

Skirts

Rubber flaps that seal the brush chamber so dust stays inside.

## General terms

Term

Meaning

Working width

The width cleaned in one pass.

Theoretical productivity

Working width multiplied by working speed, in square metres per hour. A maximum, not a real-world figure.

Traction drive, self-propelled

The machine drives itself; the operator steers. Without it, the operator pushes.

Run time

How long a full battery lasts in normal use.

GVW

Gross vehicle weight: the total weight of the machine in working condition, as defined by the manufacturer.

WHERE TO NEXT

[How scrubber machines work](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/how-scrubber-machines-work/)

[How sweeper machines work](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/how-sweeper-machines-work/)

[Lithium vs lead-acid batteries](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/lithium-vs-lead-acid-batteries/)

Want a machine recommendation?

[Get a free quote](https://sweepers.com.au/free-quote/)

## Keep reading

[All guides & FAQs](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/)

[GUIDE · 5 MIN How scrubber machines work Read](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/how-scrubber-machines-work/)

[ARTICLE · 4 MIN Benefits of scrubber machines Read](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/benefits-of-scrubber-machines/)

[GUIDE · 4 MIN Why is my scrubber leaving streaks or water behind? Read](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/scrubber-troubleshooting/)

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**Sweepers PTY LTD** · 122 Bromley St, Cornubia QLD 4130, Australia · 1300 387 713 · 07 3287 9960 · sales@sweepers.com.au · https://sweepers.com.au/