Is the Tennant T5e Floor Scrubber Right for You? Full Walkthrough & Buyer’s Guide

If you’re considering a walk-behind floor scrubber for your shop, warehouse, or industrial facility, the Tennant T5e (also branded as the Nobles SS5) is a powerhouse worth your attention. In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into what it does, how it works, its key features, and whether it’s the right fit for your needs.

What Does the Tennant T5e Do?

The T5e is a battery-powered floor scrubber designed to clean tough grime like grease, oil, and dirt. Here’s a breakdown of its major components:

• Scrub Brush or Pad at the front for agitation

• Solution Tank that dispenses clean water and chemicals

• Squeegee Assembly at the rear to vacuum up dirty water

• Recovery Tank to hold used water and debris

The machine lays down solution, scrubs the surface, and vacuums up the dirty water in one smooth pass.

Key Models and Sizes

The T5e comes in multiple deck sizes:

• 24" / 600mm

• 28" / 700mm

• 32" / 800mm

Larger models offer faster coverage but can struggle with tight doorways. Choose your size based on:

• Square footage of your cleaning area

• Doorway widths

• Storage and transport considerations

The Nobles SS5 is identical to the T5e aside from branding—same parts, same layout.

Features & Performance

• Down Pressure: Up to 120 lbs—enough for tough grime

• Run Time: 3–5 hours depending on model and battery configuration

• Two vs. Four Batteries: Smaller machines (20–24") use two batteries; full-size units (like the T5e) use four, offering longer run time and better performance

• Simple Controls: Forward/reverse switch, brush/pad pressure setting, solution control, and drive engagement

Maintenance and Daily Use

Operating the T5e is easy and efficient:

• Startup: Turn key, lower deck, engage brush and vacuum

• Filling Solution Tank: Use hose at rear or bucket-fill at the front

• Adding Chemicals: Use only compatible cleaners; avoid additives that could clog the system

• Emptying Dirty Water: Detach the hose and drain into mop sinks or appropriate drains

• Charging: Plug in onboard charger; it auto-detects battery condition and optimizes charge cycle

• Battery Maintenance: Check water levels monthly; clean terminals annually

Choosing the Right Machine

When is the T5e a good choice?

• You clean medium to large spaces (15,000–80,000 sq. ft.)

• You need long run times and strong suction

• You don’t need to transport the machine frequently

• You want excellent refurbished value

When to consider a different model:

• If you’re cleaning very tight spaces, opt for the T3 or smaller models

• For over 100,000 sq. ft., consider the T7 rider to avoid fatigue

• For heavy industrial soil, step up to the 5680 or SC900 with more down pressure

Live Demo Highlights

In the full walkthrough demo:

• The T5e demonstrates solid agitation and pick-up

• Shows easy water fill-up and chemical add process

• Handles dust and debris without needing full pre-sweep

• Displays its smooth turning radius and user-friendly controls

Final Thoughts

The Tennant T5e / Nobles SS5 is a workhorse scrubber ideal for most mid-size commercial and industrial spaces. It’s durable, easy to maintain, and delivers a professional clean with minimal effort.

PowerKleen offers fully refurbished models backed by a better-than-factory warranty, with delivery available nationwide. All machines are torn down, rebuilt, and tested by expert technicians.

Need Help Choosing?

Contact Josiah or Erica at PowerKleen to get matched with the best machine for your application. Visit powerkleen.netor call 859-509-7742 for a custom quote today.