Here at Anderson Innovations, we take pride in creating products that make life easier for the operator. That means building machines that are safe and easy to use, transport, and maintain. However, there are still common areas where people fail, leading to bad batteries, hard tear-out jobs, breakdowns, and headaches. Here are some common areas where people struggle, as well as some advice for making sure it doesn’t happen to you:
1. Neglecting regular inspection and maintenance
Regular inspections of your machine will help you spot things out of the ordinary before you start working on a job, helping you avoid unnecessary delays. Additionally, inspect your floor scraper after you finish a job. Spend the time cleaning it up and checking for damage.
Taking care of your machine will not only increase its longevity but will ensure it’s safe and operating correctly each time you use it. Flooring demolition is extremely hard on your floor scraper. Revisit our manuals to understand the proper care and maintenance of the machine.
2. Improper blade care
The blade is the heart of a floor scraper. Unfortunately, the blade is an aspect of the machine that many operators overlook. A dull blade can severely hamper the performance of an excellent machine. Fortunately, it is also very easy to avoid this struggle by keeping the edge sharp. Most operators are aware of this but feel that they can get more work done by continuing to run a dull blade rather than stopping to sharpen it. After testing this ourselves, we found that operators taking the time to regularly sharpen their blades typically take up more material at the same time than the operator continuing the job with a dull blade.
Here are a few tips on how to keep your blade sharp without wasting time:
- Keep tools for sharpening blades close to your work area.
- Have multiple sharp blades on hand to swap out quickly.
- Have other co-workers sharpen dull blades off to the side while you continue operating the machine.
- If you are running a rider or the 400S, then have multiple blade jaws with sharp blades already installed to quickly swap out the jaws.
To learn more about proper blade maintenance, read this article.
3. Using the wrong blades
The type of flooring you will remove dictates the style of blade to utilize. By using the wrong blade, you’ll not only go through blades faster, but your jobs will be tougher, and you will put more stress on the machine than necessary. This will cause battery-powered machines to have decreased runtime, and your machine won’t operate as well as it should when continuously using the incorrect blade.
Find the right blade for your needs here.
4. Worksite condition
The condition of the worksite before and during tearout makes a big difference in the workflow both for the job and the machine. Here are a few pointers:
- Have as many obstructions removed from the work area as possible.
- Have a helper clear away debris from the machine during tear out. This will prevent the wheels from slipping on loose material.
- Have an efficient plan on how to remove/dispose of debris from the work area.
- Use the right machine for the job.
5. Not following operation guidelines outlined in manuals
It’s important to understand your floor scraper before you use it. Without taking this key first step, you risk damaging your scraper early on.
Reading and understanding the operating manual will help ensure this doesn’t happen. In our manuals, we include need-to-know specific safety warnings, operational procedures, and maintenance guidelines. You can find all our digital PDFs here.
Working with us
To learn more about our machines, check out our full line of Ride-On Floor Scrapers here and our Walk-Behind Floor Scrapers here. Ready to become an Anderson Innovations distributor or want to get connected with one? Let’s chat! Contact us today to get started.
