Easy-rider-scrubber: floor cleaning machine saves time and the environment.(PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS: Plant Ops/MROP)

Mitsubishi Electric Power Products manufactures high-voltage circuit breakers for the utility industry at its facilities in Warrendale, PA. Prior to shipping them to utility customers, the parts for these circuit breakers are stored in a 40,000-sq. ft. warehouse facility about four miles from the manufacturing site.

"We have a lot of forklifts that are constantly going outside to bring things in to the warehouse, and they also bring in a lot of ordinary dirt, sand and dust that the wheels pick up from the parking lot," says Rich Bender, Mitsubishi Electric Power's facilities superintendent. "This constant traffic presents a problem because these circuit breakers are very sensitive to dirt and dust. However, if we control the storage environment from the beginning, the product going out the door will meet specifications."

Recently, the company purchased an Advance Adgressor[TM] 3220 C rider scrubber to help keep the warehouse free from dirt and dust that could potentially contaminate the circuit breakers.

Product trial was key

Local Advance representative, Bortek Industries, recommended the Adgressor rider scrubber for its operator-friendly design, which included a One Touch[TM] control panel for all scrub functions; a comfortable full-size operator compartment with clear sight lines; and an adjustable steering column that tilted upright for easy boarding. Standard safety features included a mechanical safety brake and parking brake, plus metal bumpers, a variable volume horn and backup alarm, and adjustable scrub deck side skirts to prevent splashing. Operator training and a one week trial for the Adgressor was provided to see if it would deliver better cleaning in less time for the Mitsubishi plant.

"After the trial period, our warehouse supervisor recommended that we purchase the Adgressor rider scrubber and I agreed," says Bender. "We looked at the improved productivity and the value for the dollar. Naturally, you spend more for a riding scrubber than for the walk-behinds, but in addition to the productivity, it's also an employee fatigue and morale issue. If you've got somebody who has to walk for six hours every day behind a floor cleaner, they may not be a very happy camper."

Because the forklift traffic is constant and the need for cleaning is so ...