How to use a rotary floor polisher / buffing machine

A Comprehensive Guide on How to Use a Rotary Floor Polisher Cleaning Machine

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Rotary floor machines are a popular choice for cleaning and polishing hard floors. They work by rotating a floor pad or brush, allowing them to effectively scrub and polish floors. If you have a rotary floor machine, such as the Victor Contractor or any other model or brand, this guide will show you how to use it safely and effectively.

Step 1: Understand the Purpose of a Rotary Floor Machine

Before using a rotary floor machine, it’s important to understand what it’s used for. Rotary floor machines are designed to clean and polish hard floors, such as tile, concrete, and hardwood. They can be used in a variety of settings, including homes, offices, and commercial spaces.

If you’d like to understand the difference between a floor buffer and a floor burnisher, check our our post: Floor Polishing Machines: Understanding the Difference Between Buffers and Burnishers

Step 2: Attach the Drive Board

The Drive board on a Rotary Floor Polisher is the large round disk which a floor pad would attach to. The drive board has a prickly face (also known as hook and loop system) that the pad attaches to in a Velcro like fashion.

To attach the drive board to the machine, you’ll need to insert it into the section called the drive pulley which can be located at the bottom of the machine. To line it up correctly, you’ll need to make a half-turn anti-clockwise. This will fix the drive board into the machine.

All Victor rotary floor machines come with a drive board as standard. If you need to replace your drive board, these are available for purchase via the spares section on our website.

When not it use, it’s good practice to store the drive board unattached from machine. This ensure the pads have been cleaned and left to dry, ready for the next use, and the drive board is less likely likely to become warped from the weight of the machine. The ideal place for this would be a hook on the handle of the machine.

Step 3: Choosing the Correct Floor Pad

When using a rotary floor cleaning machine, it’s important to choose the right type of floor pad for the job. There are different types of floor pads available, each designed for specific tasks. Here are some common types of floor pads:

• White pads: These are the least aggressive and are used for light cleaning and buffing. They are ideal for use on delicate surfaces such as marble and polished concrete.
• Red pads: These are slightly more aggressive than white pads and are used for spray cleaning. They are suitable for use on surfaces such as vinyl, linoleum, and terrazzo.
• Blue pads: These are even more aggressive than red pads and are used for general cleaning tasks. They are suitable for use on surfaces such as concrete and ceramic tiles.
• Green pads: These are more aggressive than blue pads and are used for deep scrubbing tasks.
• Black pads: These are the most aggressive cleaning pads and are ideal for stripping tasks.
• Melamine pads: These are used for deep cleaning and removing tough stains on hard surfaces such as tiles, grout, and concrete. They work by creating a mild abrasive action that scrubs away dirt and stains without the need for harsh chemicals.

If you need a more in depth guide on how to choose the correct floor pad for your floor, check out our post: Floor Pads 101: Choosing the Right Colour for Your Victor Scrubber Dryer or Rotary Cleaning Machine

Step 4: Use the Machine with Proper Posture

It’s important to use the handle in the correct position so that you’re using the machine properly.

Use the lever on the handle to drop the handle to the desired height. This should be just below the operative’s waist. Use the handle to lift the machine so it’s level.

The idea is to use the machine with your back straight, legs straight, and arms straight. Imagine you’re balancing a marble on the top of the machine because it needs to be completely level with the floor.

Step 5: Understand the Handle Section

The handle section of all Victor rotary floor machines has two safety switches at the very top, which prevent the machine from turning on accidentally. To operate the machine, you’ll need to be pulling one of these switches back into position. The main switch is located here as well.

This machine can be used left-handed or right-handed, depending on which side you’re more comfortable with. There’s also a loose handle underneath the machine, which is used for dispensing solution and chemical down if you have the additional tank fixed on this side.

On the other side, you’ll find the handle position lever, which is designed to release the handle on a ratchet so you can set it to the correct position for your height during operation. To use it, simply lift the lever up and pull the handle down to the desired position.

Step 6: Steering a Rotary Floor Machine

Once you have the rotary floor machine up and running, it’s important to know how to steer it properly. Steering the machine is done by raising or lowering the handle to control the direction of the machine’s movement.

To move the machine to the right, simply raise the handle up. This will cause the machine to tilt to the right and move in that direction. Conversely, to move the machine to the left, lower the handle down. This will cause the machine to tilt to the left and move accordingly.

A simple way to remember this is to use the mnemonic (R) for Raise / Right and (L) for Lower / Left. With a bit of practice, you’ll quickly get the hang of steering the machine and be able to move it smoothly in the direction you need it to go.

It’s important to remember to keep the machine level as you steer it to avoid any damage to the floor or the machine itself. And as always, be sure to follow all safety guidelines and instructions for using the machine to ensure a safe and effective cleaning experience.

Remember – When using a Rotary machine the wheels are designed for transport of the machine only and shouldn’t be touching the floor in operation.

If you have any further questions about how to use rotary floor polisher or any other floorcare machine, feel free to call our friendly, knowledgeable staff on 0121 706 5771