New Tennant T981 Ride-On Scrubber 750 mm/30" - Cylindrical
Our Take (from the SES Sales Team)
“Not every warehouse or back room is a smooth, sealed floor. When there is sand, grit, small debris and grout lines to deal with, the 30 in cylindrical T981 earns its spot. The cylindrical brushes spin at up to 1,000 rpm, and sweeping side brushes come standard, so the machine pulls debris in from the edges while it scrubs instead of pushing it around. Tennant rates this version at 33,368 sq ft per hour of estimated coverage. The 36 V, 360 Ah wet battery pack is listed for up to 6.4 hours of continuous scrubbing, and with a 33 gal solution tank and 36 gal recovery tank, the operator spends more of the shift scrubbing and less of it at the drain. Three preset scrub programs keep training simple, brush changes need no tools, and the parabolic squeegee uses Linatex blades. The machine is 71.3 in long and 41.3 in wide and handles ramps up to 9 degrees (16%). For smooth floors and a wider path, look at the 36 in disk T981.”
A 30 in cylindrical rider that scrubs and picks up light debris
The Tennant T981 is a ride-on floor scrubber for retail, logistics and light industrial floors. This version uses a 30 in cylindrical scrub deck with sweeping side brushes, 33 gal solution and 36 gal recovery tanks, and Tennant rates it at 33,368 sq ft per hour of estimated coverage (46,285 sq ft per hour theoretical).
This is Tennant’s T981 cylindrical base build: a 36 V, 360 Ah wet battery pack, an off-board 21 A charger, polypropylene cylindrical scrub brushes, sweeping side brushes and a parabolic rear squeegee with Linatex blades.
Condition: New.

What you get
Built for gritty floors
Why cylindrical?
Features
Easy to learn, easy to keep running
- ✓Three preset scrub programs so operators can match the setting to the soil level
- ✓High-performance 3-stage vacuum motor for strong water pickup
- ✓Simple no-tools, no-touch brush change system
- ✓Large pinch-style recovery tank drain hose for quick, mess-free draining
- ✓Parabolic rear squeegee with Linatex blades and a breakaway design

Choosing a deck
T981 cylindrical or disk?
| 30 in cylindrical (this unit) | 36 in disk | |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning path | 30 in (750 mm) | 36 in (900 mm) |
| Estimated coverage | 33,368 sq ft/hr (3,100 m²) | 42,518 sq ft/hr (3,950 m²) |
| Brush speed | 1,000 rpm | 200 rpm |
| Brush pressure | 110 lb (50 kg) | 220.5 lb (100 kg) |
| Squeegee width | 39.8 in (1,010 mm) | 43.3 in (1,100 mm) |
| Wall-to-wall turn | 95.7 in (2,430 mm) | 90.9 in (2,310 mm) |
Both versions share the 33 gal solution tank, 36 gal recovery tank, 36 V system and 3.7 mph scrubbing speed.

Specifications
Tennant T981 30 in cylindrical at a glance
| Models | T981 30 in Cylindrical |
|---|---|
| Cleaning path | 30 in (750 mm) cylindrical |
| Brush speed | 1,000 rpm |
| Brush pressure | 110 lb (50 kg) |
| Side brushes | Sweeping side brushes, standard on cylindrical model |
| Solution / recovery tanks | 33 gal (125 L) / 36 gal (135 L) |
| Productivity | 46,285 sq ft/hr theoretical (4,300 m²); 33,368 sq ft/hr estimated (3,100 m²) |
| Scrubbing speed | 3.7 mph (6 km/h) |
| Scrub head and squeegee lift | Independent actuators |
| Vacuum motor | 3-stage |
| Batteries | 36 V, 360 Ah wet (6 x 6 V) |
| Runtime | Up to 6.4 hr continuous scrubbing |
| Charger | 21 A, 85-265 V AC off-board |
| Maximum climbing angle | 9° (16%) |
| Sound level | 72 dB |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 71.3 x 41.3 x 53.5 in (1,810 x 1,050 x 1,360 mm) |
| Squeegee width | 39.8 in (1,010 mm) |
| Turn, wall to wall | 95.7 in (2,430 mm) |
| Weight (heaviest battery) | 1,576 lb (715 kg) |
| Model Numbers | T981-750-C-2000075 (Tennant T981 30 in cylindrical base configuration) |
Technical specs may include optional equipment that is not included with all units.
Questions
Tennant T981: common questions
Does the cylindrical T981 pick up debris?
The cylindrical deck and standard sweeping side brushes handle light debris while the machine scrubs, which is why this version suits floors with sand, grit and grout lines.
How long does it run on a charge?
Tennant lists up to 6.4 hours of continuous scrubbing on the 360 Ah wet battery pack that is standard on this machine. Actual runtime depends on the floor, the program used and how the machine is driven.
Can it handle ramps?
Tennant rates the T981 for a maximum climbing angle of 9 degrees (16%), driven by a front traction motor.
Will it fit my aisles and doorways?
The cylindrical T981 is 71.3 in long, 41.3 in wide and 53.5 in high, and needs 95.7 in wall to wall to turn around. Measure your tightest doorway and aisle before you order.
Not sure the T981 fits your floors?
Tell our team about the floor, the building and the shift, and we will help you decide if this is the right machine.





