About floor machine brushes and their application

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

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

The J45 requires a 20 inch brush, which is approximately 508 mm, to achieve its 510 mm working width. When fitting a new brush to the J45, ensure 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 smoothly and prevents damage to the coupling or the brush.

You will notice a worn brush in the cleaning result before it looks worn. Bristles that are short and splayed need more passes to clean the same area, and the floor may show streaks or patches that remain dirty. Tyre marks or ingrained dirt may not be removed because short bristles no longer press evenly or reach into the floor’s texture. Uneven cleaning is a clear sign to change the brush, as it means the bristles are not making full contact with the surface.

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 will bend them and shorten their working life. For example, hanging the brush on a wall hook after rinsing keeps the bristles straight and ready for the next use.

Scrubber dryer parts: squeegee blades, front and rear strips

Each floor cleaner uses a squeegee with a front and a rear strip. The squeegee collects dirty water after the brush has cleaned the floor. The J45 has a squeegee width of 800 mm, and the J115 has a width of 1080 mm. The squeegee rubber strips should be checked if the machine leaves water behind.

Worn or damaged squeegee blades, the rubber strips, show as streaks or incomplete water pick-up; turn or replace the strips when you notice these signs.

The two strips on the squeegee have different functions. The front strip has openings to allow dirty water into the squeegee body, while the rear strip dries the floor as the machine moves forward. If water is left behind, inspect both strips for wear or damage, as either 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 is used. This extends the life of each strip before replacement is needed. Rotating the strip at the first sign of streaks or a wet track helps keep the floor dry and safe. A wet track at the sides often means the ends of the strips are worn or the squeegee is not level.

If the strips appear intact but water is still left behind, check other possible causes: a blocked or damaged suction hose or a full recovery tank. When fitting new strips, set the squeegee so the rear strip bends back evenly across its full width, ensuring it dries the floor from edge to edge.

Overview of available floor scrubber accessories by machine

The table below lists which floor scrubber parts are available for each SMITH floor cleaner model. Use it to check which brushes and squeegee rubber strips are suitable for 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 gives the size of the part, such as the brush diameter or the length of each rubber strip. For example, the J45 brush page confirms the machine 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 includes 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 cleaner named in its title.

The SMITH industrial floor cleaners vary in working width and squeegee width, so their floor scrubber parts differ as well: always check the machine code and part details before ordering.

You will find the model code on the rating plate of your machine. Before ordering, compare the old part with the size shown on the product page: either the brush diameter or the length of the rubber strip. The strip page for each machine gives two lengths, as the front and rear strips are different lengths. Keep the old part until the new one is fitted, 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 write the model code and the size of the old part in the message box of the offer form.

Brush or pad: which is suitable for each floor type

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

Pads are made from fibre and are colour-coded to indicate their scrubbing strength. Dark pads are for stripping, lighter pads for polishing. A pad is used with a pad driver, which replaces the brush on the machine.

Brushes are ideal for cleaning grout lines, textured tiles and rough concrete, as their bristles reach into grooves and uneven areas. Pads are better suited to smooth, sealed floors, vinyl and polished concrete, where they maintain full contact with the surface. Pads wear out more quickly than brushes; you can turn them over to use the other side, then replace them once both sides are worn. Always test a new brush or pad on a small section of your floor to check its cleaning performance.

Spare sets and maintenance after use

Keeping a spare set of floor scrubber parts, such as brushes and squeegee rubber strips, in stock helps prevent downtime. If a brush or strip wears out, you can replace it straight away. Store spare strips flat and away from heat and sunlight, so the rubber does not deform or harden before use.

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

At the end of each 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 becoming misshapen, 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 log shows how long brushes and strips last in your operation and helps you plan when to order replacements. For instance, if your records show how many weeks a set of strips lasts on your floor, you can order the next set before the current one is worn out.

Difference between floor scrubber pads and brushes

This category includes brushes for SMITH floor scrubbers. Pads are not available in this category; they are fitted to a pad driver for use on smooth floors.

For the J45, the manufacturer’s parts list includes a 19 inch pad base, known as the pad driver, and a 20 inch cleaning pad. These are separate 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 remains unchanged.

The parts listed here are the brushes and squeegee strips for each SMITH model; whether you use a brush or a pad depends on your floor, as described above.

Before ordering floor scrubber parts

Before ordering floor scrubber parts, check the model code of your machine, 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 the correct number of parts for a full replacement. If a squeegee strip is worn, also inspect the squeegee body and its wheels for any 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 fully worn out. This prevents the machine from standing idle while waiting for replacements. For example, if you notice the bristles on the brush are getting short or the squeegee strip is starting to leave streaks, plan to order a replacement.

Prices of floor scrubber accessories

The price of each floor scrubber accessory is shown 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 items to one request with Add to inquiry. Brushes and squeegee strips are the main wear parts on a floor scrubber.

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

Questions about floor scrubber parts

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

A worn brush will show as uneven cleaning and bristles that are short and splayed. Replace it as soon as the same area of floor needs a second pass.

Why is my floor scrubber leaving water behind?

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

Do these parts fit other brands of floor scrubbers?

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