Choosing the right type of floor scrubber is essential for achieving efficient, safe, and hygienic cleaning across any professional environment. Whether your facility is 800 m², 5,000 m², or 20,000 m², understanding the difference between walk-behind and ride-on scrubbers — and the space they require — ensures the machine can operate effectively.

This guide explains the differences between the two formats, where each works best, and includes real measurements using squeegee widths, the true indicator of whether a machine fits your space.

What Is a Walk-Behind Floor Scrubber?

Walk-behind scrubbers are compact machines ideal for detailed cleaning and tight environments. They wash, scrub, and dry floors in a single pass.

Best Suited For Facilities Up To:

• 500–2,000 m² in total area
• Spaces where aisles are 900 mm wide or more
• Corridors typically 1.0–2.0 m wide
• Environments requiring low noise or high manoeuvrability

Why Squeegee Width Matters

Walk-behind scrubbers in the Piranha range all feature an 830 mm squeegee.
That means they require at least 900 mm of aisle width to operate safely without striking shelving, trolleys, or furniture.

Advantages

• Excellent manoeuvrability
• Quiet cleaning: ideal for healthcare and public areas
• Compact footprint: typically under 900 mm wide
• Easy to store and transport
• Perfect for detailed or slow-moving environments

Piranha Models

• W53 — 530 mm cleaning width, 830 mm squeegee
• W53S — quiet, hygiene-focused cleaning
• W53SP — self-propelled for longer cleaning routes

Typical productivity: 1,800–2,200 m²/hour

What Is a Ride-On Floor Scrubber?

Ride-on scrubbers allow the operator to sit and drive, making them ideal for large floor areas and long runs.

Best Suited For Facilities Over:

• 2,500 m² (early threshold for ride-on efficiency)
• 5,000–10,000 m² (medium to large buildings)
• 10,000–25,000 m² (industrial and logistics environments)
• Open spaces where aisle widths exceed the machine’s squeegee by at least 100–200 mm

Squeegee Widths That Determine Space Requirements

• R56: 830 mm squeegee → suits ≥ 1.0 m aisles
• R66: 920 mm squeegee → suits ≥ 1.1 m aisles
• RP68: 920 mm squeegee → suits ≥ 1.1 m aisles
• RP86: 920 mm approx → suits ≥ 1.1–1.2 m aisles
• RP96: 1,200 mm squeegee → suits ≥ 1.3–1.4 m aisles

Advantages

• Extremely high productivity (3,000–8,000 m²/h)
• Larger solution & recovery tanks
• Reduced operator fatigue
• Better suited for industrial grime, tyre marks, and heavy soil

Piranha Models

• R56 — compact ride-on for restricted spaces
• R66 — dual-brush system for mid-sized sites
• RP68 — industrial performer for daily use
• RP86 — ideal for large-scale operations
• RP96 — maximum coverage for very large sites

Walk-Behind vs Ride-On: Head-to-Head Comparison (Using Squeegee Width)

Which Is Better for Your Industry? (With Correct Space Requirements)

Healthcare (Hospitals, Clinics, Care Homes)

Recommended: Walk-behind

• Corridors typically 1.5–2.2 m wide
• Quiet, controlled cleaning needed
  Models: W53 / W53S / W53SP
  Exception:
  R56 ride-on for long hospital corridors (≥1.0 m clearance)

Warehousing & Logistics (5,000–25,000 m²)

Recommended: Ride-on

• Typical aisles 3.0–4.0 m wide
• Heavy dust, debris & traffic
  Models: RP68 / RP86 / RP96

Retail & Supermarkets

Shops (300–1,500 m²):

Walk-behind machines with 830 mm squeegee work perfectly.

Large supermarkets (2,500–6,000 m²):

• Aisles generally 1.4–1.8 m wide
  Best Choice: W53SP or R56 depending on clearance

Shopping centres (10,000+ m²):

Large concourses → R66 or RP68

Schools & Universities (1,000–12,000 m²)

Walk-behind for classrooms & corridors
Ride-on for long concourses or sports halls
Models: W53 series / R56

Industrial & Manufacturing (5,000–25,000 m²)

Ride-on scrubbers are essential
Models: RP86 / RP96

Real-World Scenarios With Squeegee-Based Spacing

Hospital Wing (3,500 m²)

• Corridors: 1.8 m wide
• Suitable machines:
  
  
  • R56 (fits comfortably with 830 mm squeegee)
  • W53S for individual departments

Warehouse (12,000 m²)

• Aisles: 3.2 m wide
• Any ride-on fits: RP68 / RP86 / RP96

Supermarket (2,800 m²)

• Aisles: 1.4–1.8 m
• W53SP fits easily with its 830 mm squeegee

School Campus (7,000 m²)

• Corridors: 1.8 m
• W53 for corridors; R56 for main halls

How to Decide Using Measurements

1. Facility Size

• Under 2,000 m² → Walk-behind
• 2,000–5,000 m² → Either
• Over 5,000 m² → Ride-on
• Over 10,000 m² → Ride-on required for efficiency

2. Minimum Aisle Width

• W53 series: ≥ 900 mm
• R56: ≥ 1.0 m
• R66/RP68/RP86: ≥ 1.1–1.2 m
• RP96: ≥ 1.3–1.4 m
• RS sweepers: ≥ 1.4–1.6 m

3. Cleaning Frequency

• Daily → Ride-on
• Light/occasional → Walk-behind

Final Thoughts

Understanding your available space is the key to choosing the right machine.
Because each scrubber has a specific squeegee width, you can quickly match the model to your environment — whether you’re working with 900 mm retail aisles, 2 m hospital corridors, or 3 m warehouse lanes. This ensures the machine moves comfortably, cleans efficiently, and performs exactly as expected.

The Piranha fleet is built to suit every type of facility: from the compact W53 walk-behind scrubber for tighter indoor areas, to the powerful RP96 ride-on designed for large industrial sites of 10,000 m² and above. No matter the layout, there’s a Piranha machine that fits your space

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