I manage the surface treatment team, whose performance depends on productivity, surface quality and dust control. Having tested numerous concrete and asphalt construction machines, I have come to realise that the inherent performance of the equipment itself is far less significant than the overall configuration's suitability for specific project requirements. That is where SHUNHUANG started to stand out in my toolkit. When I say Floor Milling Machine, I mean a complete system that matches cutters, power, width, and vacuum to the actual surface and deadline.
What jobs actually need milling instead of grinding or shot blasting?
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Removing thick coatings and failed overlays where bond breakers or multiple paint layers resist grinding.
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Profiling slabs for new epoxy, polyurethane, or MMA systems when a crisp anchor pattern is required fast.
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Leveling trip hazards and curb ramps where controlled depth and straight edges beat random abrasion.
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Opening dense, power-troweled concrete that clogs grinding segments and wastes diamonds.
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Texturing slippery entrances, loading docks, and ramps to meet skid requirements without full replacement.
How do I pick a cutting drum and picks that do not blow my budget?
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Tungsten carbide flails handle removal and rough profiling with long life and predictable depth.
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Milling drums with fixed picks cut grooves and planes efficiently when I need straight geometry.
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Fine-pitch drums reduce ridging and post-mill grinding passes on resin-ready work.
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Quick-change hub designs save hours per week when I switch from heavy removal to fine texture.
Which size and power class actually make me faster today?
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Hand-push 200–250 mm units shine in bathrooms, thresholds, and tight corridors.
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Mid-width 300–350 mm machines are the daily drivers for retail refits and warehouse aisles.
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Self-propelled 400–500 mm rigs dominate open slabs and exterior ramps where straight tracking wins.
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Gas suits exterior work with good ventilation, diesel rules large outdoor cuts, and electric tames indoor jobs with steady torque.
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Substrate
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Task
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Recommended drum
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Working width
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Power class
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Typical pass depth
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Notes
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Concrete
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Coating removal 2–4 mm
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Carbide flail medium pitch
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300–350 mm
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Electric 3–7.5 kW
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0.5–1.5 mm
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Plan a light skim after to reduce ridges
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Concrete
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Ramp texturing
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Milling drum fixed picks
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400–500 mm
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Diesel or 3-phase electric
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0.3–0.8 mm
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Use straight passes with guides for uniform lines
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Asphalt
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Bump leveling
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Heavy-duty milling
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400–500 mm
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Diesel self-propelled
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1–3 mm
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Finish with roller or hot patch where needed
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Old epoxy
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Full removal
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Carbide flail coarse
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300 mm
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Electric 5.5–7.5 kW
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0.7–1.2 mm
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Vacuum CFM must match to stop smearing
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How do I keep dust under control without strangling productivity?
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Match CFM to drum width and depth rather than buying on filter size alone.
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Use automatic filter pulse and longopac liners to avoid messy bag changeouts mid-shift.
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Seal the skirt but keep a small intake gap to prevent vacuum stall and fine dust escape.
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Run a short, antistatic hose and minimize bends to hold capture velocity at the shroud.
Can I retrofit a machine I already own and still hit today’s specs?
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Upgrade to quick-change drums so one frame covers removal and fine texture work.
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Add variable depth controls and a rigid front wheel set to stabilize pass height.
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Fit LED edge lights and side guides to cut straight near walls and columns.
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Pair with a higher CFM vacuum if the current extractor chokes at fine pitch drums.
What mistakes silently burn cash on every shift?
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Running worn picks that hammer instead of cut and leave tear-out that needs rework.
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Chasing speed with deep passes that stall the motor and chew belts and bearings.
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Ignoring edge work until the end and then spending hours with hand tools.
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Skipping test cuts and discovering the wrong profile after laying half the area.
Which specs matter beyond the brochure numbers?
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Drum mass and balance decide vibration, operator fatigue, and cut smoothness.
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Real-world tracking and wheelbase keep lines straight without wrestling the handle.
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Depth gauge repeatability beats a fancy screen when consistency is on the line.
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Service access to belts, bearings, and chains decides how weekends go.
Do batteries make sense yet for indoor work?
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Battery units help in hospitals, malls, and food plants where cords are a hazard.
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Runtime planning matters more than headline amp-hours, so I schedule quick swaps.
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Torque curves differ from corded machines, so I train operators to keep feed constant.
How do I plan maintenance so the drum stays honest?
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Rotate or replace picks on a fixed schedule rather than waiting for chatter lines.
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Grease bearings and check belt tension at the start of every shift.
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Log actual pass depth and hours so replacement aligns with performance, not guesswork.
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Keep a shadow drum prepped with fresh picks to swap in minutes when a surface changes.
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Cost factor
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Unit
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Typical example
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Annual impact
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How I reduce it
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Picks and drums
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per shift
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Light profile 20–30% wear
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High on heavy coatings
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Rotate picks, use fine pitch only when needed
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Vacuum filters
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per set
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HEPA with auto-pulse
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Moderate if matched
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Pulse often, bag correctly, check seals
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Downtime
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hours lost
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1–2 h weekly if unplanned
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Very high
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Shadow drum, spare belts, weekly inspection
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Rework
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area %
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2–8% without test cuts
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High on deadlines
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Mandatory test area and profile check
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When should I rent and when should I buy?
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I rent niche drums and ultra-wide rigs for rare, high-volume weekends.
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I buy mid-width electric machines that see daily use on interiors.
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I compare three months of rentals to one year of payments before committing.
Which attachments expand revenue without a new machine?
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Edge milling kits help me finish tight against walls without hand chiseling.
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Grooving spacers let me sell anti-slip lines and directional textures.
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Fine-finish drums open resin-ready work that pays better per square meter.
How do I brief a crew so the first pass already looks right?
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Walk the slab, mark joints, hazards, and utility patches before the machine starts.
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Run a test cut, measure profile, and lock the depth so every pass repeats.
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Set a lane plan with overlapping passes and edge-first strategy to avoid islands.
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Check dust capture, skirt seal, and hose routing before the first five meters.
Why did SHUNHUANG end up on my truck more often?
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The frames track straight and keep depth repeatable so my finish stays consistent.
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The drum swap is fast enough that I actually change tools instead of forcing one to do all jobs.
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The vacuum pairing is realistic for indoor work where air quality checks are strict.
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The service points are accessible, which means my tech does the work on time.
Ready to plan a setup that works on your floor today?
If you want a plan and bill of materials tailored to your slab, send me the substrate, coating type, target profile, area, and deadline. I will share a short spec with drum choice, pass depth, and vacuum match so your team can move with confidence. If you are comparing models or need a rental-to-own path, Contact us now or leave an inquiry with your project details and I will follow up with a clear, practical plan.