--- title: "Knowledge hub — Sweepers PTY LTD" url: https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/ description: "Guides, articles and FAQs on floor sweepers, scrubbers, silica dust control, safety and buying or hiring a machine." --- KNOWLEDGE HUB # Know your floor. Guides, articles and answers on sweepers, scrubbers, dust control and choosing the right machine. SEARCH THE HUB START HERE [GUIDE · SWEEPERS5 MIN How sweeper machines work Brushes, hoppers, filters and vacuum: what happens between the floor and the bin. Read](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/how-sweeper-machines-work/) [GUIDE · HEALTH & SAFETY6 MIN Controlling silica dust exposure Why dry sweeping is a problem on silica sites, and how the right cleaning equipment helps. Read](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/controlling-silica-dust-exposure/) [GUIDE · BUYING & HIRE4 MIN Sweeper or scrubber: which do you need? A quick way to match the machine to your floor, debris and space. Read](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/sweeper-or-scrubber/) ## All guides & articles [GUIDE How sweeper machines work Brushes, hoppers, filters and vacuum: what happens between the floor and the bin. SWEEPERS · 5 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/how-sweeper-machines-work/) [ARTICLE Benefits of sweeper machines Why sites switch from brooms and blowers, and where the time goes back. SWEEPERS · 4 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/benefits-of-sweeper-machines/) [GUIDE Controlling silica dust exposure Why dry sweeping is a problem on silica sites, and how the right cleaning equipment helps. HEALTH & SAFETY · 6 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/controlling-silica-dust-exposure/) [ARTICLE Removing toxins with sweeper machines Brake dust, lead, chemical residue and fine particulates: what regular machine sweeping keeps off your floors. HEALTH & SAFETY · 4 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/removing-toxins-with-sweeper-machines/) [GUIDE How scrubber machines work Solution, brushes and squeegee: how a scrubber washes and dries a floor in one pass. SCRUBBERS · 5 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/how-scrubber-machines-work/) [ARTICLE Benefits of scrubber machines Cleaner floors, dry in minutes, with less water and chemical than a mop. SCRUBBERS · 4 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/benefits-of-scrubber-machines/) [GUIDE Health and safety when operating floor machines Training, PPE, pre-start checks and safe charging for sweepers and scrubbers. HEALTH & SAFETY · 5 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/health-and-safety/) [GUIDE Sweeper or scrubber: which do you need? A quick way to match the machine to your floor, debris and space. BUYING & HIRE · 4 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/sweeper-or-scrubber/) [ARTICLE Buy, hire or finance a floor machine? How to choose the right way to pay for your machine. BUYING & HIRE · 4 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/buy-hire-or-finance/) [ARTICLE Lithium vs lead-acid batteries What the battery choice means for run time, charging and maintenance. BUYING & HIRE · 3 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/lithium-vs-lead-acid-batteries/) [GUIDE Ride-on vs walk-behind: which floor machine? How floor area, space and shift length decide between a walk-behind and a ride-on sweeper or scrubber. BUYING & HIRE · 5 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/ride-on-vs-walk-behind/) [GUIDE What size floor scrubber or sweeper do I need? A simple way to work out the working width and productivity your site needs. BUYING & HIRE · 5 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/what-size-machine/) [GUIDE Why is my scrubber leaving streaks or water behind? The usual causes of a poor finish from a floor scrubber, and how to fix each one. SCRUBBERS · 4 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/scrubber-troubleshooting/) [GUIDE Buying a used sweeper or scrubber: what to check A practical checklist before you buy a pre-owned floor machine. BUYING & HIRE · 4 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/used-sweeper-checklist/) [ARTICLE Floor cleaning machine terms explained Plain-English definitions of the terms used on spec sheets for sweepers and scrubbers. SCRUBBERS · 4 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/floor-machine-glossary/) [GUIDE What affects the price of a sweeper or scrubber? The choices that move the price of a floor machine up or down, and the running costs to plan for. BUYING & HIRE · 4 MIN](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/what-affects-price/) FAQ ## Common questions Can't find your answer? Call 1300 387 713 or [send us a message](https://sweepers.com.au/contact/). MACHINES ### What's the difference between a sweeper and a scrubber? A sweeper picks up dry debris and dust. A scrubber washes the floor with water and detergent, then dries it with a squeegee and vacuum. Many sites use both. [Read the guide](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/sweeper-or-scrubber/) ### Which size machine do I need? It mainly depends on floor area and access. Hand-held machines suit small or tight spaces, walk-behinds suit mid-size areas, and ride-ons suit large warehouses, factories and car parks. Send us your floor size and surface and we'll recommend a machine. ### Can sweepers be used outdoors? Yes. Many walk-behind and ride-on sweepers are built for car parks, yards and construction sites. Larger outdoor machines often run on LPG, petrol or diesel for longer shifts. ### Which brands do you sell? We sell new machines from manufacturers including Fimap and RCM, plus used machines from a range of brands, alongside our range of filters, masks and spare parts. Browse the range or ask us to compare models. ### What size floor scrubber do I need? Divide the floor area you clean each shift by the hours available to get the coverage you need per hour, then choose a machine whose theoretical productivity is comfortably higher. Real coverage is lower than the published figure. [Read the sizing guide](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/what-size-machine/) ### What does theoretical productivity mean? It is the manufacturer's figure for working width multiplied by working speed, in square metres per hour. It is useful for comparing machines, but real coverage is lower because of turns, overlaps and refills. [More terms explained](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/floor-machine-glossary/) HEALTH & SAFETY ### Is it safe to dry sweep silica dust? Dry sweeping with a broom or blower puts silica dust back into the air. Use equipment that captures the dust, such as sweepers with high-grade filtration, suitable vacuums or wet methods. [Read the guide](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/controlling-silica-dust-exposure/) ### Do operators need training? Every operator should be trained on the machine they use. We can provide operator training when you buy or hire. HIRE ### Can I hire a machine short-term? Yes. We hire machines for days or weeks for shutdowns, post-construction cleans, events and one-off jobs, as well as longer terms. ### Do you deliver hire machines? Yes. We deliver and pick up hire machines and can show your team how to use them. BUYING & FINANCE ### Do you sell used machines? Yes. Our used machines are inspected and serviced by our workshop before sale, so you get a proven machine at a lower price. ### Can I finance a machine? Yes. Finance is arranged through our finance partners, who specialise in commercial cleaning machines. They can fund new and used machines so you can spread the cost over fixed repayments. Ask us for a quote and an introduction. ### Do you deliver Australia-wide? Yes. We're based in Brisbane and deliver new and used machines across Australia. ### Do you publish prices? No. Every machine is quoted on request, because the price depends on the model, configuration, batteries, options and delivery. Request a free quote and we will confirm the price and lead time. [What affects the price](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/what-affects-price/) SERVICE & PARTS ### Do you service machines you didn't sell? Talk to our workshop. We service a wide range of sweepers and scrubbers and stock filters and common parts. ### How often should filters be replaced? It depends on the dust load and how many hours the machine runs. Clean filters regularly and replace them when they're damaged or won't clean up. On hazardous dust sites, follow a set replacement schedule. ### Why is my scrubber leaving water behind? Usually worn squeegee blades, a blocked suction hose, a full recovery tank or a leaking tank seal. Check those first, then book a service if the problem continues. [See the troubleshooting guide](https://sweepers.com.au/knowledge/scrubber-troubleshooting/) ## Still deciding? Ask an expert. [Get a free quote](https://sweepers.com.au/free-quote/) 1300 387 713 --- **Sweepers PTY LTD** · 122 Bromley St, Cornubia QLD 4130, Australia · 1300 387 713 · 07 3287 9960 · sales@sweepers.com.au · https://sweepers.com.au/