The Mercury Hercules 17-inch Floor Machine is a super heavy-duty, low-speed (175 RPM) rotary built for custodial teams, building service contractors, and facility managers who strip, scrub, and refinish hard floors day in and day out. At 106 lbs of all-metal construction, the Hercules puts real down-pressure on the pad so it cuts through built-up finish and ground-in soil faster than a lighter machine, and the 17-inch path covers more square footage per pass.
Built for these jobs
- Stripping floor finish and wax - the slow 175 RPM speed plus the machine's weight drive black strip pads through heavy finish on VCT, terrazzo, and sealed concrete.
- Heavy scrubbing - run a 15-inch rotary brush or aggressive pad to lift embedded soil from tile, grout, and entryways.
- Spray buffing - restore gloss between recoats on maintained finishes.
- Carpet shampooing and bonnet cleaning - add a pad driver and bonnet for interim carpet maintenance in lobbies and corridors.
Why the heavy low-speed design works
At 175 RPM the pad or brush stays in firm, sustained contact with the floor, which is exactly what aggressive stripping and deep scrubbing require - high-speed burnishers cannot do this work. The precision-balanced 1.5 HP, 66-frame motor and high-torque triple-planetary transmission keep the machine pulling under load, and the heavy polished-aluminum chassis supplies the pressure that makes the Hercules a true workhorse. Match a rotary brush 2 inches smaller than the machine, or a pad with pad driver 1 inch smaller.
Specifications
- Model Number: H-17E (Hercules super heavy-duty)
- Machine Size: 17-inch apron; 15-inch rotary brush (pad driver sized accordingly)
- Motor: 1.5 HP A/C, 66-frame, 2 capacitors, 13-15 amp draw
- Brush Speed: 175 RPM (low speed)
- Transmission: High-torque triple-planetary
- Chassis: Rugged all-metal polished aluminum
- Operating Weight: 106 lbs (extra weight for serious scrubbing and stripping)
- Handle: 48-inch fully adjustable with safety interlock switch and non-conductive dual triggers
- Wheels: 6-inch non-marking retractable transport wheels; full-coverage bumper
- Power Cord: 50-foot safety power cord
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Hercules H-17E and a Lo-Boy floor machine?
Both are low-speed 175 RPM machines, but the Hercules is a standard-height, super heavy-duty design at 106 lbs with a 17-inch path, so it adds down-pressure and covers more area for aggressive stripping and scrubbing. The Lo-Boy uses a low-profile body to reach under counters and fixtures. Choose the Hercules for production stripping and scrubbing of open floors.
Is the H-17E low-speed or high-speed?
It is a low-speed machine at 175 RPM. Low speed is correct for stripping finish, heavy scrubbing, spray buffing, and bonnet cleaning. For polishing maintained finish to a high gloss you would use a high-speed burnisher (1,000 to 2,000 RPM) instead.
Does it come with a brush or pad driver?
The H-17E uses a 15-inch rotary brush for scrubbing or a pad driver and floor pad for stripping, buffing, and bonnet work. Confirm which accessory ships with your order and add the pads you need - black for stripping, green or blue for scrubbing, white or red for polishing.
Can one machine strip and then scrub the same floor?
Yes. Fit a black strip pad to remove old finish, recover the slurry with a wet/dry vacuum or auto-scrubber, then switch to a brush or scrub pad for the rinse-scrub before you recoat. The 17-inch Hercules has the weight and torque to do both.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized Mercury Floor Machines dealer. Our US-based team can help you match the right brush, pad driver, and pads to your floor type, and Mercury backs the Hercules with a 5-year motor, transmission, and chassis warranty.
