Suction power
Working power of the machine for suction.
The effort with which the unit draws in pollution during operation directly depends on this indicator. The greater this effort, the higher the quality of cleaning and the more effective cleaning. On the other hand, even in the heaviest and most performant models, the suction power does not exceed 1200 W — it simply does not make sense to increase it further. In addition, we note that with an increase in the width of the grip, the suction power must also be increased, otherwise, the efficiency will decrease. It means that only models of the same type with the same or almost the same working width can be compared in terms of suction power.
Waste detergent tank
The volume of the waste solution tank installed in the harvester.
Such tanks are equipped exclusively with floor scrubbers (including household ones) and window models (see "Type"): we recall that both of them are designed for suction of the solution from the treated surface. In general, the larger the tank, the less often it will have to be emptied, but the larger the dimensions and weight of the unit. Therefore, manufacturers usually choose this indicator taking into account the type and characteristics of the application of the machine. So, in devices for windows, which are held in the hands during operation, the capacity of the tanks for the spent solution is small — usually about 150 – 200 mL; this is quite enough, taking into account the format of application, and at the same time, such additional weight does not create inconvenience during work. In turn, scrubbing machines use containers of several liters or even tens of liters; usually, a specific volume directly depends on the overall “weight category” and the performance of the machine.
Battery capacity
The capacity of the battery installed in the cleaning machine with the appropriate power supply.
In theory, a higher capacity allows you to work longer on a single charge, but in practice everything is not so simple. Firstly, the autonomy is also affected by the energy consumption of the machine, and it is determined mainly by the engine power (see above). Secondly, the actual amount of energy stored in the battery depends not only on the capacity in ampere hours, but also on the operating voltage in volts. Therefore, only batteries with the same voltage can be compared with each other in terms of capacity in Ah (or convert ampere-hours to watt-hours using a special formula and compare the results). And it is best to evaluate the autonomy of the unit by the directly stated operating time (see below).
Autonomy time
Operating time of a battery-powered cleaning machine on one charge of a standard battery.
This parameter itself is quite approximate: it is most often indicated for standard operating modes and simple conditions. However, the actual autonomy is usually not very different from the stated one; so, based on the stated operating time, it is quite possible to both evaluate the capabilities of different models and compare them with each other.
Noise level
The noise level created by the harvesting machine during operation.
Low noise levels are important for the comfort of both the operator and others; the latter is especially true in some specific places such as hospitals or kindergartens. On the other hand, the higher the power, the louder, as a rule, the unit operates and the more difficult it is to reduce this noise to a certain level; despite the fact that in many cases high volume operation is not a particular problem. So you should specifically look for a “quiet” cleaning machine only if a low noise level is more critical for you than high cost and/or reduced power.
When assessing specific loudness values, it is worth considering that the decibel used to indicate the noise level is a non-linear quantity. Therefore, the easiest way is to evaluate specific values using comparative tables. Here's a simplified table for the range that most modern harvesting machines fit into:
55 dB - background noise in an office without special noise sources;
60 dB - loud conversation;
65 dB - city street with average traffic intensity;
70 dB - a conversation between several people in a raised voice.
75 dB – high power vacuum cleaner.
80 dB - traffic noise on a busy street.
Weight
The total weight of the cleaning machine. Usually, weight is indicated with empty tanks for detergent, waste, fuel, etc. At the same time, additional equipment, such as side brushes, may or may not be taken into account. Such equipment has a very small weight compared to the machines themselves. And, when installed/removed, does not seriously affect the mass of the entire machine.
