About floor machine brushes and their applications

Floor machine brushes clean floors using water and detergent. The J45 uses a single disc brush running at 180 rpm, while the J115 uses two brushes. The J45 has a working width of 510 mm, and the J115 has a working width of 800 mm.

Brushes are installed on the disc coupling without tools, with the brush switch turned off. Replace the brush if you notice uneven cleaning results.

The J45 uses a 20 inch brush, which is about 508 mm, matching its 510 mm working width. When installing a new brush on the J45, make sure the disc is lifted off the floor and hold the brush level as you place it onto the coupling. This helps the brush lock in place without forcing it and prevents damage to the coupling or the brush.

You will notice a worn brush in the cleaning results before it looks worn out. Bristles that are short and spread out require more passes to clean, and the floor may show streaks or areas that remain dirty. Tire marks or embedded dirt may not be removed because short bristles do not press evenly on the floor or reach into its texture. Uneven cleaning is a clear sign to replace the brush, as the bristles are not making full contact with the floor.

After each use, rinse dirt and hair from the bristles to prevent buildup that can harden and reduce cleaning performance. Store the brush so it does not rest on its bristles, as this can bend them and shorten their lifespan. For example, hanging the brush on a wall hook after rinsing keeps the bristles straight and ready for the next shift.

Scrubber dryer squeegee blades: front and rear rubber strips

Each floor scrubber uses a squeegee with both a front and a rear strip. The squeegee collects dirty water after the brush cleans the floor. The J45 has a squeegee width of 800 mm, and the J115 has a squeegee width of 1080 mm. Check the squeegee rubber strips if the machine leaves water behind.

Worn or damaged floor scrubber squeegee blades, meaning the rubber strips, cause streaks or incomplete water pickup. Turn or replace the strips when you notice these issues.

The two strips on the squeegee have different functions. The front strip has openings to let dirty water flow into the squeegee body, while the rear strip dries the floor as the machine moves forward. If water is left behind, check both strips for wear or damage, since either one can let water pass.

A rectangular strip can often be rotated: when the edge in contact with the floor wears down, turn the strip so a fresh edge touches the floor. This extends the life of each strip before replacement. Rotating the strip at the first sign of streaks or a wet path helps keep floors dry and safe. Wet tracks at the sides often mean the ends of the strips are worn or the squeegee is not level on the floor.

If the strips look fine but water is still left behind, check other possible causes: a blocked or torn suction hose or a full recovery tank. When installing new strips, adjust the squeegee so the rear strip bends back evenly across its width, ensuring it dries the floor from side to side.

Overview of available parts by machine

The table below lists which floor scrubber parts are available for each SMITH floor scrubber model. Use it to check which brushes and squeegee rubber strips fit your machine.

To use the table, find your machine in the first column; each ‘yes’ links to the product page for that part. The product page lists the size, such as the brush diameter or the length of each rubber strip. For example, the J45 brush page confirms it uses a 20 inch brush, and the strip pages show the lengths of the front and rear strips.

How to identify the correct scrubber dryer parts

The product title always shows the machine name, such as J25, J45, J85, or J115. The product page lists the size of each part. Each part is made specifically for the floor scrubber named in its title.

SMITH floor scrubbers differ in working width and squeegee width, so their floor scrubber parts are different as well. Always check the machine code and part details before ordering.

You can find the model code on your machine’s rating plate. Before ordering, compare your old part with the size listed on the product page: either the brush diameter or the length of the rubber strip. Each machine’s strip page lists two lengths, since the front and rear strips are different lengths. Keep the old part until the new one is installed so you can compare them directly.

If both squeegee strips are worn, order them together so the squeegee wipes evenly again. If you are unsure which part to order, use the Get offer button on the product card and include the model code and the size of your old part in the message box.

Brush or pad: which floors each is best for

Brushes are best for rough and textured floors, where the bristles can reach into grooves. Pads on a pad driver are better for smooth floors and for polishing.

Pads are made from fiber and are color-coded to show their scrubbing strength. Dark pads are for stripping, while lighter pads are for polishing. A pad is placed on a pad driver, which takes the place of the brush on the machine.

Brushes are best for cleaning grout lines, textured tiles, and rough concrete because their bristles reach into grooves and uneven surfaces. Pads work well on smooth, sealed floors, vinyl, and polished concrete, where they make full contact with the surface. Pads wear out faster than brushes; you can flip them to use the other side, then replace them when both sides are worn. Always test a new brush or pad on a small area first to see how it performs on your floor.

Spare sets and maintenance after cleaning

Keeping an extra set of floor scrubber parts, like brushes and squeegee rubber strips, on hand helps prevent downtime. If a brush or strip wears out, you can replace it right away. Store spare strips flat and away from heat and sunlight to keep the rubber from deforming or hardening before use.

Keep a spare brush for each brush position on your machine and one set of squeegee strips per machine. For example, the J45 needs one spare brush, while the J115 requires two, since it uses two brushes.

After every shift, empty and rinse the recovery tank, rinse the squeegee and brush, and check the strips for any cuts or tears. Lift the squeegee and brush off the floor to prevent them from getting deformed, and charge the batteries so the machine is ready for the next shift. Once a week, clean the suction hose and filters, and remove any string or wire caught in the brush.

Record when you change each part. This helps track how long brushes and strips last in your operation and lets you plan when to order replacements. For example, if your records show how many weeks a set of strips lasts on your floors, you can order the next set before the current one wears out.

Comparing floor scrubber pads and brushes

This category includes brushes for SMITH floor scrubbers. Pads are not available in this category; they are used with a pad driver for smooth floors.

For the J45, the manufacturer’s parts list includes a 19 inch pad base, called a pad driver, and a 20 inch cleaning pad. These are different from the machine’s 20 inch brush. When you use a pad instead of a brush, the pad covers the same width as the brush, so the working width stays the same.

The items listed here are the brushes and squeegee strips for each SMITH model. The choice between a brush or a pad depends on your floor, as described above.

What to check before ordering floor scrubber parts

Before ordering floor scrubber parts, check your machine’s model code, such as J25, J45, J85, or J115, and how many of each part it uses.

Count the parts your machine uses before ordering: the number of brushes and the front and rear squeegee strips. This ensures you have enough parts for a full replacement. If a squeegee strip is worn, also inspect the squeegee body and its wheels for damage. If a brush is worn, check the coupling for wear or debris that could affect fitting the new brush.

Order new parts before the old ones are completely worn. This prevents the machine from sitting idle while waiting for replacements. For example, if you notice the brush bristles getting short or the squeegee strip starting to leave streaks, plan to order a replacement.

Prices for floor scrubber accessories

The price for each floor scrubber accessory is listed on its product card. Please check the card for the latest price before ordering.

You can order spare parts directly using the Add to cart button, or add several parts to a single request with Add to inquiry. Brushes and squeegee strips are the main wear parts on a floor scrubber.

Using a worn brush costs more than using a new one: it cleans less effectively and may require more passes for the same result. This can slow down work in a warehouse or production area, since floors may need to be cleaned twice. Replacing brushes and strips at the right time keeps your machine working as it should and helps avoid extra labor or missed spots.

Questions about floor scrubber parts

How can I tell if the brush on my floor scrubber is worn out?

A worn brush will leave areas unevenly cleaned and have bristles that are short and splayed. Replace it as soon as you notice the floor needs a second cleaning pass.

Why is my floor scrubber leaving water on the floor?

If your machine is leaving water behind, check the squeegee first. The squeegee has a front and rear strip that may need to be turned or replaced.

Will these parts fit other brands of floor scrubbers?

Each part is made for the SMITH machine listed in its title. For other brands, compare the size on the product page with the part on your machine.