Abstract: Apparatus for treating the surface of a floor includes a wheeled vehicle having a generally central vertical longitudinal plane. A lift unit is mounted on the wheeled vehicle and is capable of up and down movement in the central vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle. A floor surface treating unit is carried by the lift unit generally underneath the lift unit and has an elongate head. The head has a pivotal connection with the lift unit for rotation of the head on a generally vertical pivot axis in the plane and generally at the center of length of the head for rotation of the head on the pivot axis to different angular positions with respect to the plane of the wheeled vehicle. A locking mechanism associated with the lift unit and the floor surface treating unit releasably locks the head in a selected angular position.

Abstract: A recovery system for use in a floor cleaning machine of the type including a dispensing system and a recovery system. The dispensing system configured for dispensing a liquid cleaning solution onto a floor surface to facilitate the removal of dirt from the floor surface. A recovery system configured for recovering cleaning solution and dirt from the floor surface thereby leaving a cleaned floor surface. The recovery system comprises a recovery tool movable over the floor surface. The recovery tool comprises a body including an interior suction chamber in fluid communication with a source of vacuum. At least one blade is secured to the tool body and depending therefrom for engagement with the floor surface to provide fluid communication between the suction chamber and the floor surface, whereby cleaning solution and dirt are suctioned from the floor surface.

Abstract: A chemical foaming system for use in a floor cleaning machine has a foam generator and a delivery system upstream of the foam generator in communication with a source of pressurized fluid and a source of liquid cleaning solution. The delivery system delivers pressurized fluid and liquid cleaning solution to the foam generator. A dispensing system is disposed downstream of the foam generator for dispensing foam generated by the foam generator onto the floor being cleaned. The foam generator has a pair of independent foaming chambers in generally parallel flow relationship intermediate the delivery system and the dispensing system whereby a portion of pressurized fluid and liquid cleaning solution delivered to the foam generator by the delivery system flows into one of the foaming chambers. The remaining portion of the pressurized fluid and liquid cleaning solution delivered to the foam generator flows into the other foaming chamber.