When it comes to professional flooring removal, having the right scraper for the job is everything. Whether you’re tackling vinyl, carpet, tile, or glued-down timber, choosing between a walk-behind and ride-on scraper can be the difference between a smooth removal and a time-consuming mess.

At Multi-Hire, we supply and train customers on top-of-the-line removal machines from Wolff and National Flooring Equipment—including the Wolff Turbo, Wolff Duro, and National’s 6280, 5700, 6700, and 7700 series.

Below, we break down which machine works best for each type of flooring, how to use them effectively, and tips from the pros.

Walk-Behind Floor Scrapers

Lightweight, precise, and perfect for small to mid-sized jobs.

🛠️ Machines:

• National 6280 Commander – Compact battery-powered ride-on, perfect for mid-sized jobs.

• Wolff Turbo – Lightweight, perfect for removing soft floor coverings like carpet and vinyl.
• Wolff Duro – A more aggressive walk-behind designed to take on glue-down wood, cork, and thicker adhesives.

✅ Best Applications:

• Residential homes
• Offices with tight layouts
• Bathrooms, kitchens, and small commercial areas
• Removing vinyl, carpet, linoleum, and glued-down timber

🧠 Pro Tips:

• Choose the right blade: Thin flexible blades for soft goods, thicker blades for tougher adhesives and wood.
• Use a forward rocking motion: Let the blade bite under the floor covering naturally—don’t force it.
• Stay consistent: Work in overlapping lanes, moving steadily for a cleaner finish.
• Edge first: Use a handheld tool or start in corners to make walk-behind use easier.

Ride-On Floor Scrapers

Built for speed, power, and large-scale flooring removal.

🛠️ Machines:

• National 5700 – Versatile all-rounder, great for rubber, tile, VCT, and even coatings.
• National 6700 & 7700 – Battery powered heavy hitters designed to blast through ceramic tile, hardwood, vinyl, VCT carpet and thick adhesives at scale.

✅ Best Applications:

• Large commercial sites
• Warehouses, shopping centres, school gyms
• Hospital and government flooring removal
• Removing ceramic tile, hardwood, thick glue, epoxy, sports flooring

🧠 Pro Tips:

• Use the correct tooling: Ceramic and hardwood need angled chisels or multi-blade systems.
• Start slow and steady: Let the weight and torque of the machine do the hard work.
• Watch your battery/fuel levels: Downtime on a big job can cost hours.
• Clear your path: These machines are heavy—keep the work zone tidy and safe.

🆚 Walk-Behind vs Ride-On: What Should You Use?

💡 Bonus Tip: Don’t Skip the Training

Even the best machines won’t perform if they’re not used properly. That’s why we offer full training on all scraper hire, showing you how to set up your blade, operate safely, and remove flooring efficiently without damaging the substrate.

Whether you’re a flooring contractor or a DIYer tackling your first strip-out, we’ve got the equipment and the expertise to help you get it done right.

🧩 Blade & Shank Selection: The Secret to Clean Removal

Even the best scraper can underperform if it’s paired with the wrong blade or shank. Here’s how to get it right:

🔪 Blade Types

• Flat Blades (Straight/Bevelled) – Ideal for vinyl, carpet, and soft goods. Use thin, flexible blades for delicate floors and thicker blades for heavier glue.
• Angled or Self-Scoring Blades – Best for harder materials like rubber, wood, epoxy coatings, Vinyl or VCT. These blades help break through resistance more effectively.
• Carbide Blades – Built to cut through coatings or tile and stand up to the toughest materials without dulling quickly.

🧱 Shank or Blade Holder Matters

• Heavy-duty shanks give better leverage for glued-down wood or tile.
• Some shanks allow for adjustable blade pitch, helping you fine-tune the attack angle based on material and substrate condition.

🔧 Pro Tips:

• Match the blade width to the job size—wider blades for open areas, narrower blades for precision work or thick glue.
• Always inspect your blades for dullness—a sharp blade = faster removal + less surface damage.
• If you’re unsure, we’ll help you select the perfect combo when you hire from us.

🧠 Top 7 Floor Scraping Tips from the Pros

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, these tried-and-true tips will help you scrape faster, safer, and cleaner—no matter the surface.

1. Use the Right Blade and Shank

• Match the blade to the floor type: flat blades for vinyl/carpet, self-scoring or carbide for hard goods.
• Replace dull blades early—it saves time and prevents subfloor damage.
• Adjust your shank or blade angle for optimal penetration, if machine allows.

2. Let the Machine Do the Work

• Don’t push or force the machine-this leads to chatter, skipping, or slab damage.
• Use a smooth, overlapping motion for consistent results.
• Ride-on operators: steer gently and stay level to avoid blade lift.

3. Edge First, Then Bulk Remove

• Always edge out around walls, columns, and tight spots before using larger scrapers.
• This avoids damage to skirting or door frames and makes your main passes smoother.

4. Plan Your Exit Strategy

• Start at the furthest point and scrape back toward your exit.
• On big jobs, divide the space into lanes to keep progress clean and methodical.

5. Power Matters

• For 110V machines (like the National 6280), use heavy-duty extension cords to prevent voltage drops.
• Keep batteries fully charged overnight for ride-ons like the 5700, 6700 and 7700.

6. Handle Adhesive Leftovers the Right Way

• Scrapers will remove most flooring, but thick glue or epoxy may still need follow-up with a grinder.

7. Stay Safe

• Always wear PPE: steel-capped boots, gloves, eye protection, and dust masks when needed.
• Be trained on ride-on scrapers before use they’re powerful and heavy.
• Never operate machines on angles, ramps or stairs unless they’re specifically designed for it.

🛠️ Need Help Choosing the Right Tool or Blade?

We provide expert advice, full operator training, and a wide range of floor scrapers for hire, from Wolff to National Flooring Equipment.

✅ Final Thoughts: The Right Scraper Makes All the Difference

Whether you’re stripping carpet from a small apartment or removing ceramic tile from a warehouse floor, choosing the right walk-behind or ride-on floor scraper is key to saving time, reducing labour, and protecting your subfloor.

• For light, soft goods or tight-access jobs, machines like the Wolff Turbo and Wolff Duro offer precision and portability.
• For tougher or glued-down materials, the National 6280 Commander brings extra torque in a walk-behind format.
• And when it’s time to scale up, the 5700 and 7700 ride-ons dominate large commercial removals.

At Multi-Hire, we don’t just hire out these machines—we help you choose the right tool for your floor, provide hands-on training, and back you with expert support every step of the way.

📞 Need a Scraper? Let’s Get to Work.

👉 Contact us today for floor scraper hire, expert advice, or to book a training session on Wolff or National Flooring Equipment machines.

Your floor doesn’t stand a chance.