'No other scrubber provides the combination of high water capacity and scrubbing productivity (scrubbing power and edge cleaning capability) in a compact design offering best-in-class maneuverability. The SC6500 with EcoFlex offers the ultimate sustainable yet flexible cleaning solution...'
NED: What led Nilfisk to develop the SC6500 rider scrubber?
MK: Serving customer and market needs for improved scrubbing efficiency, high reliability, and lowest total cost of ownership.
NED: What differentiates this rider scrubber from competing models?
MK: No other scrubber provides the combination of high water capacity and scrubbing productivity (scrubbing power and edge cleaning capability) in a compact design offering best-in-class maneuverability. The SC6500 with EcoFlex offers the ultimate sustainable yet flexible cleaning solution.
NED: What problems needed to be addressed during the development process?
MK: Identifying and qualifying new key components to achieve field reliability. New product qualification requires in-house performance and endurance testing, plus field testing. A significant challenge is often identifying suitable field test sites that will utilze the machine(s) sufficiently to provide field reliability hours and confidence. Utilizing telematics for remote machine monitoring greatly improves our ability to monitor the field testing process and adjust sites as required.
NED: How long did it take from conception to ultimate production?
MK: Approximately 18 months.
NED: Who is your target audience and what benefits will they achieve from using this product?
MK: This product offers high productivity and aggressive cleaning capability serving a broad range of applications, including: warehouses, manufacturing, food and beverage, athletic facilities (field houses), education, large open retail spaces, and convention centers.
NED: What effect did cost factors have in changing the final design of the product?
MK: Controlling cost is a focus in any of our new product introductions. Adding cost to the design must be substantiated by customer need and assessed versus the relative value it brings to the end user. Other measures include what the appropriate savings are, such as reduced warranty expense, and to deliver to our customers a tangible lowest total cost of ownership product.
NED: Do you have any other interesting information you would like to add?
MK: The SC6500 utilizes the latest in maintenance-free, ac brushless propulsion drive technology offering excellent performance, efficiency, reliability, and smooth operation. Non-marking polyurethane tires provide excellent wet traction and make the machine safe to operate in a wide variety of applications, including when double-scrubbing. Standard scrub deck protection via chassis-mounted roller deflectors and an optional tubular steel bumper help protect the user’s investment over the life of the machine.
See NED's full SC6500 rider scrubber product description for more.