Pedestrian Sweepers vs. Ride-On Sweepers: What’s the Difference?

Sweepers are an essential, invaluable piece of cleaning equipment that enables a warehouse owner to keep their premises clean and tidy. There are, generally, two different types of sweepers on the market: pedestrian and ride-on sweepers. But it can be difficult to determine how they differ. Here’s what each one does, together with the benefits that each one has to offer:

What is a pedestrian sweeper?

A pedestrian sweeper is a machine that’s operated manually by someone who physically walks behind it. It sweeps the area, ridding it of dirt and grime almost effortlessly. Pedestrian sweepers are usually used by those with a smaller warehouse as they’re able to get into hard-to-reach places with complete ease. These are different from scrubber dryers as they can only be used on dry surfaces, acting almost like an industrial vacuum cleaner.

What is a ride-on sweeper?

A ride-on sweeper is quite self-explanatory. The operator actually sits on the machine and operates it from the vehicle itself, much like how a forklift would be operated only with fewer controls. The seat is ergonomically-designed for optimum comfort and is normally purchased by warehouse owners who own a considerably large premises.

Essentially, it would take a long period of time to sweep an extensive area with a pedestrian sweeper, but a ride-on sweeper would make short work of this. It works to clear the area of any loose dirt and debris, making the area clean and tidy once again. The benefit of this is that it creates a safe space for your employees to work in and around.

What are the benefits of a pedestrian sweeper?

Pedestrian sweepers are sought-after by a wide range of warehouse owners, mainly those who own smaller premises. They’re often the most popular machine in the cleaning equipment range. This is because they’re smaller, easy to store, simple to maintain and cheaper to purchase. Those are just a few of the benefits pedestrian sweepers have to offer. In addition to the aforementioned, the benefits of pedestrian sweepers includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Some models come with reverse cameras
Safety features are fitted as standard on most vehicles, including light beacons and alarms Vehicles are much lighter and simple to store They’re easily manoeuvrable thanks to their small size They’re light and compact, giving the driver more control and the ability to turn around tight corners and narrow aisles They can access areas that a larger ride-on sweeper cannot They’re perfect for sweeping smaller areas without having to power up a large ride-on sweeper They’re inexpensive to purchase and easy to acquire

What are the benefits of ride-on sweepers?

Many warehouse owners will opt for ride-on sweepers as opposed to pedestrian sweepers, but that doesn’t make pedestrian sweepers any less capable of doing a great job. It’s simply the case that ride-on sweepers are generally more convenient and more ground can be covered in a short space of time. According to the TMHNC, a ride-on floor sweeper offers a 64% increase in productivity in comparison to what a pedestrian sweeper can provide. In summary, the benefits of ride-on sweeper are as follows:

• They offer dust-free operation
• The area can be cleaned thoroughly in one sweep
• A large area can be covered in a short amount of time
• Someone doesn’t have to physically stand behind a sweeping brush
• It can be powered with diesel, LPG or electricity
• It comes with a large waste container so they can be used for a long period of time
• They’re inexpensive to acquire
• They’re easily maintained
• There are fewer parts and components present to experience wear and tear
• They’re simple to operate
• They can clear away light, medium and heavy debris
• They’re ideal for industries such as: construction, education, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution centres, to name a few
• They come with a wide range of safety features, including light beacons, alarms and reverse cameras
• Some models come with air-conditioning to keep operators cool

Where can I purchase ride-on sweepers & pedestrian sweepers?

Commercial cleaning equipment is essential in any warehouse. If it’s clean and tidy then you’re ensuring the health and safety of your workers, which is why they’re just as valuable as your material handling machinery (read all about the benefits of commercial cleaning equipment here). Ride-on sweepers and pedestrian sweepers, as well as pedestrian scrubber dryers and ride-on scrubber dryers, are all available from us here at Multy Lift.

We have a wide range of different pieces of commercial cleaning equipment, so you’ll be able to keep your premises in top condition 24/7. If you aren’t sure about the type you need or if you need more guidance on what each machine does, you’ll always be able to talk to our friendly, knowledgeable team of specialists. We are also pleased to be able to supply our customers with top-of-the-range industrial cleaning chemicals, making short work of tough dirt and grime.

Multy Lift have over three decades of experience in the material handling industry, providing high-calibre, quality warehouse equipment to customers throughout the UK. Whether you wish to have a heavy-duty forklift to get the job done or need commercial cleaning equipment to keep your premises safe, clean and tidy, we’re on hand to make sure you have it all. No matter what your warehouse or material handling requirements are, you can rest assured that our team of professionals will be able to advise and guide you expertly. For more information, get in touch with us today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.