Which floor grinder should you choose: Tapir, Husqvarna PG 280 or Schwamborn?
To surface a concrete floor, the Sept Tools Tapir is a light (49 kg) and quiet brushless floor grinder, while the Husqvarna PG 280 and Schwamborn DSM 250 are heavier, more powerful single-disc machines, the DSM 250 being edge-oriented. The choice hinges on removal aggressiveness and manoeuvrability. This comparison places the three machines side by side, criterion by criterion, on manufacturer data.
The floor grinders at a glance
Swipe the table to compare all 3 machines
| Criterion | Sept Tools Tapir | Husqvarna PG 280 | Schwamborn DSM 250 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Brushless floor grinder, surface preparation | Single-disc grinder, surfacing and convertible edge grinding | Compact edge grinder, swivelling head |
| Target material | Concrete, screed, laitance, coatings | Concrete, glue, paint, epoxy, filler | Concrete, screed, asphalt, coatings |
| Motor power | 2 x 1600 W (3200 W), constant torque | 3 hp (about 2.2 kW) | 2.2 kW |
| Rotation speed (rpm) | 500 to 4800, VARIABLE | 1720 (fixed, at 230 V) or 1160 (at 110 V) | 1450 (fixed, at 230 V) or 1150 (at 220 V 60 Hz) |
| Motor type | Brushless (no carbon brushes) | Induction electric | Electric (type not disclosed) |
| Machine weight | 49 kg | About 72 kg (158 lbs) | 56 kg |
| Working width or disc | Diamond pad (diameter on request) | 280 mm (11 in) | Single disc (diameter not disclosed) |
| Hand-arm vibration | 0.27 m/s² (0.35 catalogue benchmark) | 3.8 to 4.0 m/s² | Below 2.5 m/s² |
| Noise level | 60 dB (operator position) | 74.1 dB(A) [pressure] / 90 dB(A) [power] | 79 dB(A) (power) |
| Indicative output | 19 to 26 m²/h on concrete | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Dust capture | Class H at source (IU33 Longopac extractor) | Extractor connection (detail not disclosed) | Extractor connection 50 mm diameter |
| Power supply | Single-phase mains (details on request) | 220 to 240 V or 100 to 120 V, single-phase | 230 V, 50 Hz, single-phase |
| Ingress protection | IP65 | Not disclosed | IP23 |
| Motor lifespan | Up to 20,000 h (brushless) | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Warranty | 24 months | Not disclosed (product page) | Not disclosed (product page) |
| Country of manufacture | Roanne, France | Sweden (Husqvarna brand) | Germany (Schwamborn brand) |
Competitor data from public manufacturer pages, consulted on 5 July 2026 (sources at the bottom of the page). Sept Tools data from product sheets. The 60 dB and 0.35 m/s² figures are positioning benchmarks measured on reference machines.
Fixed or variable speed: why it matters
This is the clearest difference. The Tapir runs from 500 to 4800 rpm in continuous variation: you modulate the speed to the job, from fast removal of laitance or glue to finishing. The Husqvarna PG 280 and Schwamborn DSM 250 run at fixed speed (Husqvarna states it: "the speed is fixed and no settings are required"), with a single rating per electrical variant (1720 rpm at 230 V for the PG 280, 1450 rpm for the DSM 250). Neither goes lower or higher: on fast surface removal such as laitance, the Tapir’s variable range and high orbital speed make the difference, while the heavy single-disc machines keep the edge on deep grinding under high pressure. And the Tapir keeps constant torque across the whole range, as much at 500 as at 4800 rpm: for decorative concrete or slow finishing, you keep full power at low speed, where a fixed-speed single-disc machine cannot slow down.
Does heavier mean more effective?
Not always. For aggressive removal (glue, epoxy, thick coating), mass helps: the Husqvarna PG 280 (about 72 kg, 2.2 kW) and Schwamborn DSM 250 (56 kg, 2.2 kW) press hard. The Tapir (49 kg, 1600 W brushless) relies on constant torque and an effective diamond pad, with the advantage of being lighter to move. The right choice depends on the aggressiveness sought and the site logistics.
Which machine covers the most floor?
The Husqvarna PG 280 has a 280 mm working width, an asset on large open surfaces. The Schwamborn DSM 250 is specialised in edge work, with a swivelling head in three positions. The Tapir states an output of 19 to 26 m²/h on concrete and a diamond pad whose diameter is provided on request. For large slabs, the Husqvarna width is a real plus.
Vibration and noise: what data is published?
Here, transparency differs. The Husqvarna PG 280 and Schwamborn DSM 250 pages publish neither vibration nor noise level: those values are therefore marked not disclosed. Sept Tools records 0.27 m/s² and 60 dB on the Tapir. On a site where operators spend hours on the machine, this data matters, and the Distrimo study measured a 56 percent reduction in forearm vibration with Sept Tools tools.
How do you capture silica on the floor?
Surfacing concrete releases crystalline silica. Sept Tools pairs the Tapir with a class H extractor (IU33 Longopac), with a UKAS laboratory measurement of 0.02 f/ml on an NHS hospital site. The Husqvarna PG 280 and Schwamborn DSM 250 connect to an extractor (Schwamborn states a 50 mm connection). The real protection depends on the filtration class of the paired extractor.
What Husqvarna and Schwamborn do very well
- +The Husqvarna PG 280 is more powerful and wider (280 mm), with quick conversion to an edge grinder and a worldwide distribution and parts network. For heavy stripping of large areas, it is a benchmark.
- +The Schwamborn DSM 250 is an edge specialist: a swivelling head in three positions and a floating dust guard for clean, low-vibration edge work, on a robust machine.
- +For very aggressive stripping or dedicated edge work, these machines are perfectly in their element.
Why choose the Tapir to prepare a floor
- 1.Brushless constant-torque motor, no carbon brushes, up to 20,000 h lifespan: less maintenance and downtime than a brushed motor.
- 2.Lighter (49 kg) than the Husqvarna PG 280: transport, carrying upstairs and manoeuvring made easier on a cluttered site.
- 3.Quiet (60 dB) and low vibration (0.27 m/s²), IP65 for cleaning, class H capture measured at 0.02 f/ml by a UKAS laboratory.
- 4.Designed and assembled in Roanne, 24-month warranty, national service and parts in stock.
"Your machine is markedly faster at removing laitance than anything the competition offers."
A concrete floor to prepare?
Tell us the surface, the coating to remove and the finish you want. We will propose the right Tapir configuration, with no obligation.
Sources
Competitor manufacturer data consulted on 5 July 2026. Sept Tools data from the catalogue product sheets.
- Husqvarna PG 280, manufacturer specifications: husqvarnaconstruction.com (3 hp, 280 mm / 11 in width, about 72 kg / 158 lbs, 220-240 V and 100-120 V single-phase; vibration, noise and lifespan not published).
- Schwamborn DSM 250, manufacturer product page: schwamborn.com (swivelling-head edge grinder) and datasheet directindustry.com (2.2 kW, 56 kg, 230 V 50 Hz, 50 mm extractor connection).
- Sept Tools Tapir, IU33 Longopac: product sheets on sept-tools.com.