When a rotary floor machine stops lifting soil out of a textured or grouted floor, the problem is usually the pad, not the machine. The Mercury 1304 replaces the pad driver on a 13-inch single-disc machine with a genuine bristle brush, so the scrubbing action reaches into the low spots a flat pad rides straight over. It is the everyday choice for building service contractors and in-house custodial crews running restrooms, kitchens, entryway quarry tile and warehouse concrete.
Built for
- Restroom and kitchen floors where soil collects in grout lines and a pad simply polishes the tops of the tile.
- Unsealed or lightly sealed concrete in warehouses, shops and loading areas that needs a periodic deep scrub.
- Quarry tile and textured safety flooring in food service, where the surface profile defeats a flat pad.
- Deep-scrub and restoration work ahead of a strip-and-recoat cycle on resilient floors.
- Rental and fleet floor machines that need a general-purpose brush one operator can swap in without tools.
Why crews choose a poly brush over a pad
The 1304 carries gray .028-inch polypropylene bristles - a stiff, general-purpose fill that holds its shape under machine weight instead of laying over. Because the bristles flex individually, they follow an uneven surface and drive detergent into grout joints and the valleys of textured flooring. Pads cannot do this; they bridge the low spots and leave a clean-looking floor that is still soiled where it matters.
The second practical advantage is cost over time. A pad is consumed and thrown away on a schedule. A brush block is rinsed, hung to dry and reused across many cleanings, which is why maintenance managers who track supply spend per square foot tend to move general scrubbing onto brushes and reserve pads for burnishing and finish work.
Third, polypropylene is forgiving. It resists most neutral and alkaline cleaners, does not soften in hot water, and shrugs off the grit that would tear a pad. For a floor that sees sand, ice melt or food debris, a stiff poly fill is the practical fill choice.
Fitment and coverage
The brush block measures 11 inches, but the 1.75-inch bristles spread to roughly 13 inches of working coverage - the reason this is the correct brush for a 13-inch machine rather than an 11-inch one. It ships with the Mercury Type B / 92 universal clutch plate, the durable plastic plate with the standard 5-inch center hole, which is what actually couples the block to your machine. That plate pattern covers a long list of common single-disc machines including Kent, Pullman Holt, Oreck, Advance, Alto, Clarke, Betco, Cassidy, Dart, Eureka, General, Hawk, Hoover, Koblenz, Lawlor, Mastercraft, Mercury, NSS, Nilfisk, Pacific, SSS, Thoromatic, Tornado, United and Viper. If you are unsure which plate your machine takes, check the plate already on the machine before ordering.
Specifications
- Brush block diameter: 11 inches; bristle spread approximately 13 inches
- Fill: gray .028-inch stiff polypropylene, 1.75-inch trim
- Clutch plate: Mercury Type B / 92 universal, plastic, 5-inch center hole (included)
- Machine size: fits most 13-inch rotary floor machines
- Manufacturer part number: 1304
Safety note from the manufacturer: do not use this brush with flammable materials such as fuels, solvents or thinners. Serious injury could result from fire or explosion.
Frequently asked questions
Will this brush fit my floor machine?
It fits most 13-inch rotary floor machines that accept the Mercury Type B / 92 universal clutch plate, which is included. That plate uses a standard 5-inch center hole and covers machines from Clarke, Advance, Nilfisk, Tornado, NSS, Oreck, Hoover, Kent, Betco and many others. Compare the plate already fitted to your machine if you are unsure.
Why is an 11-inch brush used on a 13-inch machine?
The 11-inch figure is the brush block. The 1.75-inch bristles splay outward under machine weight and cover roughly 13 inches, which matches the skirt of a 13-inch machine. An 11-inch block is therefore the correct part for a 13-inch machine.
Should I use a brush or a pad for general scrubbing?
Use a brush when the floor has texture, grout lines or an irregular surface, because bristles reach into the low spots a flat pad cannot. Use a pad for burnishing, polishing and flat resilient floors. Many crews run a brush for deep scrubbing and keep pads for finish work.
What is the difference between the stiff poly 1304 and the nylon grit 1307?
The 1304 uses .028-inch stiff polypropylene for general scrubbing. The 1307 uses .035-inch nylon impregnated with 180 grit silicon carbide, which is more aggressive and is intended to replace blue or green floor pads. Choose poly for routine cleaning and nylon grit for heavier soil removal.
Can this brush be washed and reused?
Yes. Rinse it after use, shake out debris and hang or stand it on the bristles to dry. Unlike a pad, the brush block is designed to return to service repeatedly, which is the main reason crews move general scrubbing onto brushes.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized dealer for Mercury. Orders ship from US stocking locations and our US-based team can help you confirm fitment, arbor size or machine compatibility before you buy.
