Columbus Ride-On Scrubber Dryer Cleaning Machine ARA66BM70

Columbus Ride-On Scrubber Dryer Cleaning Machine ARA66BM70

Columbus ARA 66|BM 70 Ride-On Scrubber Dryer Cleaning Machine is a professional battery-powered floor cleaning machine designed for the efficient scrubbing and drying of medium-sized areas and heavily furnished commercial spaces. Manufactured by Columbus in Germany, this compact ride-on scrubber dryer combines professional cleaning performance with excellent manoeuvrability, ergonomic operation, and practical features that help reduce cleaning time while maintaining high hygiene standards.

The ARA 66|BM 70 is particularly suitable for facilities where a traditional large ride-on machine may be difficult to operate because of narrow aisles, furniture, shelving, checkout areas, or limited access space. With a compact overall size of 1380 × 680 × 1170 mm, Columbus states that the machine fits into standard lifts and can negotiate narrow passages and checkout areas efficiently. Its compact ride-on design provides a practical balance between the productivity of a ride-on machine and the manoeuvrability required for more restricted environments.

The machine has a 660 mm working width and an 850 mm suction width, providing a theoretical maximum cleaning coverage of up to 3,960 m² per hour. This makes the ARA 66|BM 70 a suitable solution for supermarkets, retail stores, warehouses, commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, hotels, logistics centres, and professional cleaning companies that need to maintain medium-sized to large floor areas efficiently. Actual cleaning productivity may vary depending on the floor layout, level of soiling, operator speed, and working conditions.

One of the main advantages of the Columbus ARA 66|BM 70 is its tank capacity. The machine features a 70-litre solution tank for clean water and cleaning solution, combined with an 80-litre recovery tank for collecting dirty water. This capacity helps reduce interruptions caused by frequent refilling or emptying, allowing operators to work efficiently over larger areas. The machine also includes the QUICK FILL function as standard, enabling the clean-water tank to be filled quickly and cleanly through the integrated system coupling.

The cleaning system uses two brushes or pad holders operating at 180 rpm, with a brush pressure of 30 kg. Columbus highlights its adaptive brush system, which is designed to maintain effective pressure even on uneven floors. This helps the machine achieve consistent cleaning results across different floor conditions. The automatic brush-holder system also allows operators to change tools at the touch of a button, reducing manual handling and simplifying the process of changing brushes or pads.

Water consumption is controlled through the standard EWD – Electronic Water Dispensing System. This system supplies the required amount of water during cleaning instead of relying on uncontrolled water flow. Accurate water dosing can help reduce unnecessary water consumption and support more efficient cleaning operations. Columbus also offers an ECD – Electronic Chemical Dosing System as an optional feature for applications where precise control of cleaning chemicals is required.

The ARA 66|BM 70 is equipped with a powerful suction system designed to collect dirty water efficiently after scrubbing. The suction system provides up to 110 mbar of low pressure and an airflow of up to 32 litres per second. Combined with the 850 mm suction width, this system is designed to leave floors streak-free and ready to walk on immediately after cleaning, helping facilities return cleaned areas to service quickly.

The machine operates on a 24V electrical system with a maximum power rating of 1,690 W. Its 750W traction motor provides a maximum travelling speed of 6 km/h, supporting efficient movement between cleaning areas. The ARA 66|BM 70 is available with different battery configurations, including wet batteries with a capacity of 200 Ah or gel batteries with a capacity of 180 Ah, according to the official technical data. An integrated charger is also available as an optional feature.

Operator comfort is an important part of the machine’s design. Columbus describes the ARA 66|BM 70 as having a clear and self-explanatory operating panel, a comfortable low step height, and ergonomic seating designed to suit different users. The low access height is particularly useful when the operator needs to get on and off the machine frequently during long cleaning periods. Its compact construction and tight manoeuvrability further support operation in heavily furnished environments.

The machine also includes practical hygiene and maintenance features. Large inspection openings allow both tanks to be cleaned thoroughly and easily, supporting HACCP-compliant cleaning procedures. The ARA 66|BM 70 also has the ability to achieve cleaning results on slopes of up to 12%, according to Columbus. A Toolflex holder is included as standard, providing convenient storage for a mop during cleaning operations.

Several optional configurations are available to adapt the machine to specific cleaning environments. These include the silent version for noise-sensitive areas, noBAC® antibacterial tanks for applications with high hygiene requirements, the ECD electronic chemical dosing system, a security kit with a rotating beacon, Comfort Plus tyre equipment, a Comfort Plus driver’s seat, a performance kit, an additional chemical tank, an integrated charger, and a BluePoint LED warning light for improved safety in areas with industrial traffic.

With an empty weight of 187 kg and an operating weight of up to 456 kg with the specified 180 Ah battery configuration, the Columbus ARA 66|BM 70 Ride-On Scrubber Dryer provides a professional solution for businesses that require strong floor-cleaning performance without the large footprint of bigger industrial machines. Its combination of compact dimensions, 660 mm working width, 70-litre solution tank, electronic water dosing, powerful suction, automatic brush handling, and ergonomic ride-on operation makes it an effective choice for professional commercial and industrial cleaning applications.

Key Features

• Professional ride-on scrubber dryer.
• Made in Germany.
• Compact design for medium-sized and heavily furnished areas.
• 660 mm working width.
• 850 mm suction width.
• Theoretical coverage up to 3,960 m²/h.
• 70 L solution tank.
• 80 L recovery tank.
• Two brushes or pad holders.
• Brush speed of 180 rpm.
• Brush pressure of 30 kg.
• Adaptive brush system.
• Automatic brush-holder system.
• EWD electronic water dispensing as standard.
• QUICK FILL system as standard.
• Powerful suction system.
• Suction pressure up to 110 mbar.
• Airflow up to 32 l/s.
• Maximum travelling speed of 6 km/h.
• Low step height and ergonomic seating.
• HACCP-compliant tank cleaning design.
• Suitable for slopes up to 12%.
• Toolflex holder as standard.
• Optional silent version.
• Optional noBAC® antibacterial tanks.
• Optional electronic chemical dosing.
• Optional integrated charger.
• Optional Comfort Plus driver’s seat.

Uses

• Retail stores
• Supermarkets
• Checkout areas
• Warehouses
• Distribution centres
• Logistics facilities
• Hospitals
• Healthcare facilities
• Hotels
• Schools and universities
• Commercial buildings
• Industrial facilities
• Professional cleaning companies