Cat® C49R Ride-On Floor Sweeper Features
Engineered for facilities requiring large-area dry debris collection with dust suppression in a single seated operation, the Cat® C49R is a battery-powered ride-on floor sweeper with a 49-inch cleaning path using two independently-motored, manually-activated side brushes. Swept material collects in a 26.4-gallon hopper — more than double the storage capacity of smaller ride-on sweepers — while a 7.9-gallon front water mister settles airborne dust ahead of the brush path and self-cleaning filters maintain consistent suction throughout the shift without manual filter service. An 18-percent incline capacity and indoor/outdoor dry-condition rating distinguish the C49R from Cat®'s ride-on scrubber line, which is limited to flat indoor floors.
For facilities maintenance teams deciding between a ride-on sweeper and a ride-on scrubber, the C49R addresses the debris-collection phase that should precede wet floor scrubbing in most large-area cleaning programs. Shipping fully assembled from Cat® authorized inventory, the C49R is ready for first use immediately after delivery. Operator features include a seatbelt, LED headlight, non-slip diamond tread platform, cup holder, and USB charger. Electronic braking provides controlled stopping on the inclined surfaces the machine is rated to handle.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Cat® |
| Model | C49R |
| Item # | WB641748 |
| Cleaning Path | 49" (both side brushes) / 43" (one side brush) |
| Side Brushes | Two, each driven by independent motor, manually activated |
| Hopper Capacity | 26.4 gallons |
| Water Tank | 7.9 gallons (front water mister) |
| Dust Suppression | Front water mister + self-cleaning filters |
| Incline Capacity | 18% |
| Motor | Stronger motor with electronic braking |
| Safety | Seatbelt, LED headlight, non-slip diamond tread platform |
| Convenience | Cup holder + USB charger |
| Dimensions | 40"W × 55"D × 47"H |
| Assembly | Ships fully assembled |
| Floor Types | Concrete, ceramic tile, marble, and other hard floors |
| Use Environment | Indoor and outdoor, dry conditions |
Applications
To collect dry debris across large indoor and outdoor hard floors, the Cat® C49R is deployed in warehouse and distribution center concrete floors before scrubber cycles, loading dock areas and outdoor courts where indoor scrubbers cannot operate, retail and grocery store aisles, airport concourses, manufacturing plant floors with machining debris, and outdoor plazas and parking structures where indoor equipment is not rated.
Cat® C49R Sweeper vs. Cat® C40R Scrubber
| Feature | Cat® C49R Sweeper | Cat® C40R Scrubber |
|---|---|---|
| Machine Type | Sweeper — collects dry debris | Scrubber — wet-cleans hard floors |
| Outdoor Use | Yes — indoor and outdoor | No — indoor only |
| Incline Capacity | 18% grade | Flat floor only |
| Debris Handling | 26.4-gal hopper collects swept material | Recovery tank collects dirty water |
| Dust Suppression | Front water mister + self-cleaning filters | Water + squeegee recovery |
| Side Brushes | Two, independently motored, manual activation | Pad-only cleaning |
| Cleaning Width | 49" (both) / 43" (one) | 40" fixed |
| Pricing | Below retail pricing | Full retail |
Academic and Institutional Pricing
LabSupplies.com offers tiered quantity pricing for academic and research institutions. As an authorized dealer, we ship directly from USA inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a ride-on sweeper and a ride-on scrubber?
Sweepers and scrubbers perform different functions. Sweepers collect dry debris by brushing material into a hopper. Scrubbers wet-clean floors by applying solution, agitating with rotating pads, and recovering dirty water. Choose the Cat® C49R when the primary task is debris collection and dust control. Choose a Cat® scrubber when the floor requires wet cleaning to remove bonded soil. Many large facilities run both in sequence: sweep first to collect coarse debris, then scrub the cleared surface.
Can the Cat® C49R ride-on sweeper be used outdoors?
Yes. Unlike Cat® ride-on scrubbers, which are rated for indoor use in dry conditions only, the Cat® C49R is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use in dry conditions. This makes it practical for facilities with connected indoor and outdoor hard floor areas — loading dock aprons, covered parking structures, outdoor warehouse courts, building entries and plaza surfaces, and distribution yard paving. Its 18-percent incline capacity also allows operation on sloped surfaces common in outdoor environments, such as ramp approaches and grade transitions between floor levels.
What do the self-cleaning filters and front water mister do?
As the suction system separates dust from airflow, filters accumulate particulate and suction decreases over time. Self-cleaning filters shake accumulated dust off the media automatically, maintaining consistent suction without manual filter service mid-shift. The front water mister sprays ahead of the brush path, settling airborne dust before the brush disturbs it — keeping the operating environment clear and compliant with dust suppression requirements in occupied facilities.
What does manually-activated side brush control provide?
Both side brushes activated delivers the full 49-inch cleaning path for open floor areas. Deactivating one narrows the effective path to 43 inches for passes along walls or around obstacles where a brush extending to one side would contact a surface it should not. If one brush requires service, the other continues operating — the machine stays in use rather than being taken out of rotation.
Cat® Ride-On Sweeper Family
The Cat® C49R is the entry model in Cat®'s ride-on sweeper line. For facilities requiring higher sweeping throughput or enclosed operator protection, Cat® offers the 70-inch ride-on sweeper and the 70-inch ride-on sweeper with AC cabin — both available at LabSupplies.com. For wet floor scrubbing requirements, Cat®'s C26R (26") and C40R (40") ride-on scrubbers complement the sweeper line as part of a complete Cat® floor care program.