Can I convert my Advance ES300 or ES400 Carpet Extractor into a Hard Surface Scrubber?

If you are looking to purchase or have already purchased the Advance ES300 or ES400 carpet extractor, you have the option to convert the machine into an effective hard cylindrical floor scrubber. 

First, you need to identify which model you have in order to determine the correct parts you need to make the conversion, if you do not know your specific model name, please refer to the serial number plate located on the rear base of the machine. 

The Advance ES300 ST is a 16" carpet extractor so you will need to purchase one of the front mount squeegee assembles and one of the 16" hard surface cleaner brushes depending on your flooring type, click each image to find the product page. 

Squeegee Tool	Stiff Nylon Brush	Soft Nylon Brush	240 Grit Brush
Carpet		X
Concrete	X		X
Terrazzo	X		X
Ceramic/Tile	X		X
Marble	X		X
VCT	X		X
Rubber	X		X

The Advance ES300 XP and ES400 XLP are 18" carpet extractors so you will need to purchase one front mount squeegee assemblies and one of the 18" hard surface cleaner brushes depending on your flooring type, click each image to find the product page. 

Squeegee Tool	Stiff Nylon Brush	Soft Nylon Brush	240 Grit Brush
Carpet		X
Concrete	X		X
Terrazzo	X		X
Ceramic/ Tile	X		X
Marble	X		X
VCT	X		X
Rubber	X		X

It sounds economical to have two machines in one, however, you need to consider the following expectations if you decide to convert. 

Machine Performance and Cost of Ownership

If you plan on using your carpet extractor as a hard floor scrubber, this will cause additional wear and tear on your machine, so you may find yourself having to replace common parts and consumables more often, and may wear out critical components like switches, pumps, gaskets, etc more often as well. 

Ensuring Chemicals are NOT used in the Wrong Application 

If you use carpet extraction chemicals inside the machine, the system and tanks need to be flushed properly before cleaning on a hard surface. Carpet extraction chemicals are a different chemistry than hard surface chemicals. 

On the other hand, if you are using hard surface cleaning chemicals inside the machine, the system and tanks need to be flushed properly before cleaning on carpet. Hard surface chemicals are a different chemistry than carpet extraction chemicals

Most end users that invest in the conversion kit, use a pump up sprayer to apply hard surface chemicals during hard surface cleaning to avoid chemicals being mixed in the solution tank and applied on the wrong surface. 

Ensuring Brushes are Switched Based on the Flooring Application 

When converting from either carpet to hard floor cleaning, and vice versa, ensure that the carpet brushes are not being used on hard surfaces, and ensure that hard surface brushes are not being used on carpet. 

Damage to the machine or the flooring can occur if you do not have a good training protocol in place.  

We suggest labeling the brushes by stamping "H" for hard or "C" for carpet on the end of the brush cap, to ensure proper usage.