All Oreck Floor Machines are virtually maintenance free. Durable zinc and steel are used. And they're built in America. Plus, parts are readily available if ever needed.
Specifications
Cleaning Path 13"
Motor Induction
Cord 35'
Weight 24
The Orbiter is priced from $440, and comes with a 1 year warranty. The unit weighs about 24 lbs.
Oreck Orbiter 550 Features:
· Sands, refinishes, strips, scrubs, waxes, polishes, and cleans all floor surfaces.
· Oscillating motion reaches every corner right out to the baseboard.
· Includes a 35ft. cord.
· Weighs 24 lbs.
· Cleans a 13" path.
When choosing different pads and brushes for the Orbiter floor buffer, there is no exact science to which pad or brush is most suitable on a particular floor. Pads are good for scrubbing and polishing flat surfaces. Brushes work well for getting into recesses in non-flat surfaces, like tile, where the bristles can get into grout lines. When you choose an accessory, remember - you want one aggressive enough to do the job but gentle enough not to damage the floor. It’s sheer common sense. For example, do not use a black pad (aggressive) on a wood floor (soft floor). Start with what is safe and move to more aggressive if needed.
The pads are color coded depending on how aggressive they are (except for the beige marble pad): White is the softest, followed by red, green, brown and black being the most aggressive. Pads are designed to be porous and open-weave (except the beige pad) so that when it loosens dirt it can be picked up. The dirt goes inside the pad (i.e. off the floor). All pads can be turned over and the other side used before cleaning or disposing. Pads may be hosed off in some instances and re-used.
Brushes are also color coded with Black being the softest followed by the union mix (tan) brush, the orange scrub brush, with the brown grit brush being the most aggressive.
Never store the Orbiter with a pad or brush mounted on it because they can become deformed, especially the brushes.
The Orbiter 550 consists of Sand screens 60 grit, 80 grit and 100 grit sand screens available to allow for sanding and refinishing wood floors.
Sand screen is sandpaper on a small grid-like sheet. The sand screen attaches to the Orbiter by "velcro-ing" it to a brown pad. When a urethane coated floor gets scuffed, a new layer of urethane may need to be put down. The floor needs to be prepared first. Using a 60-grit screen, go over the floor quickly. You do not need to remove a lot of material. Repeat with an 80-grit screen: Vacuum and damp mop up all dust. You may repeat this procedure with a 100-grit screen but in general it is not needed.
This bonnet has many uses. First, when using the Dry Carpet Cleaning System, it should be used instead of the carpet brush, on low nap carpets. It also can be used by itself with the Permits to clean carpet traffic lanes. It can also be used to clean coated wood floors. Simply vacuum spray on your favorite wood cleaner and go over it with a bonnet. It acts as a sponge to pick up dirt. These bonnets can be hand washed or machine washed (cold, gentle cycle).
This is a polisher to bring out the floor's natural high gloss. It is not aggressive enough for cleaning. It is designed to bring up a shine. It can be used on all flat, smooth floors; wood (coated and uncoated), vinyl, linoleum, laminate, etc. On waxed floors it will remove scuffs. Think of it as what people use on their cars to bring out shine. This bonnet can be cleaned. Rinse it with soap and water, gently wring it dry and put it on the black pad holder and it dries to its correct shape.
The Orbiter 550 also has a number of brushes available that are designed to get into the grooves of uneven flooring surfaces which are as follows:
Black Bristle Brush: For use with the Dry Carpet Shampoo System. It has a very soft nylon bristle
Polishing and Light Scrubbing Brush: This is a natural fiber brush (Similar to broom bristles). It is very versatile and safe for all floors because it is gentle. It can be used to polish wax wood floors
Orange Brush: This brush is designed for scrubbing. The bristles are made from heavy-duty polypropylene bristles. It is the most versatile scrub brush and ideal for heavy-duty jobs. It will clean smooth textures or painted concrete floors and other heavy-duty floors.
Green Brush: This brush is slightly more aggressive than the orange brush. There are aggressive particles imbedded in the bristles. In particular, it can be used on asphalt. Should only be used on heavy-duty jobs.
Fingertip On/Off Switch:
This unit is astounding easy to turn on, one bump with your finger, and you are ready to go as it has a “t” style handle bar having on/off switch on the handle itself.
Unique Orbital Action:
The Oreck Orbiter is powered by Thus it is a very good machine to use.
Oreck Orbiter 550 Recommendations:
a ¾ hp motor and provides oscillating cleaning and buffing power that reaches all areas of floor, right to the baseboards. The orbital actions leaves no undesirable swirl marks, no brush marks, or gouges are caused due to orbital actions.
Pros:
This machine built by an American company offers following pros:
· Strips, waxes, buffs, sands and refinishes hard surface floors.
· Dry cleans carpets.
· 12-inch cleaning pad with 35-foot cord for quick scrubbing of large areas.
· Lightweight - just 24 lbs.
· Oscillating motion eliminates brush marks, swirls, sanding marks and gouges.
· Reliable - no belts, gears or motor brushes to wear out.
· Five-year motor, one-year overall warranty
Cons:
Vacuuming and sweeping are required before you can use the Orbiter. Won't get all the way into a corner, but pretty close. Some splashing may occur on walls when scrubbing with the Orbiter – Walls may need some touch up cleaning.
It seems a little complicated, you’d have to be very careful and be familiar with the accessories. There are a number bonnets, pads and brushes. The right accessory must be used to avoid flooring getting damaged
Weight of the machine could damage and distort the bristles if brushes are not removed prior to storing the orbiter.
