A floor machine only transfers its weight and torque to the floor through the pad driver. When the driver is glazed, cupped or missing teeth, pads slip, spin off, or wear on one edge, and the operator ends up leaning on the handle to get the same result. This Sanitaire 13 inch pad driver locks onto the machine through the clutch plate and holds the pad flat so the machine does the work.
Built for
- Building service contractors running 13 inch single-disc floor machines on VCT and terrazzo
- School and church custodial staff scrubbing and buffing on a seasonal schedule
- Restaurant and retail crews maintaining sealed hard floors between strip-and-recoat cycles
- In-house maintenance teams whose original driver has worn out but the machine is still sound
- Rental fleets that need a consistent, replaceable wear item between customers
What it does
The pad driver mounts to the machine using the appropriate clutch plate and grips the back of a standard floor pad so that pad stays centered and flat during operation. It suits the Sanitaire 13 inch floor machine family including the SC6001A. Because the driver is a wear item, it is normal for it to be replaced several times over the life of the machine.
Signs the driver needs replacing
- Pads walk off center or fly off during a pass
- Pads wear unevenly, thin on one edge and thick on the other
- The gripping face is glazed smooth and no longer bites into the pad
- The machine chatters or vibrates through the handle on a flat floor
Operating notes
Center the pad on the driver every time. An off-center pad is the most common cause of chatter and of uneven pad wear that gets blamed on the machine. Rinse and hang pads rather than leaving them wet on the driver, and check that the clutch plate is tight before each use, since a loose plate lets the driver work against the drive and rounds off the engagement. Match the pad color to the job: aggressive strip pads under a machine set up for buffing will overload both the driver and the operator.
Frequently asked questions
Which machines does the 61986 pad driver fit?
It is the 13 inch pad driver for Sanitaire 13 inch floor machines, including the SC6001A. It locks on using the appropriate clutch plate.
How do I know my current driver is worn out?
Pads that walk off center, wear thin on one edge, or a gripping face that has gone smooth and glazed all point to a driver that no longer holds the pad.
Is the pad driver supposed to wear out?
Yes. It is a consumable wear item that sits between the machine and the pad, and it is normally replaced several times over the life of the machine.
Why does the machine chatter through the handle?
Most often the pad is not centered on the driver. Re-center the pad and check that the clutch plate is tight before assuming a machine fault.
Can I use any 13 inch pad with it?
Standard 13 inch floor pads fit. Match the pad aggressiveness to the job, since a heavy strip pad on a machine set up for buffing overloads both the driver and the operator.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized dealer supplying commercial cleaning contractors, facility managers and in-house maintenance teams across the United States. Our US-based staff can confirm fit against your model and serial number before you order, and we stock the companion wear parts most crews replace at the same time.
