The invention relates to an apparatus for removing coverings laid on even surfaces, comprising a support frame (10) for mounting driving wheels (16) and for accommodating a motor (17) and a gear (18) for driving the driving wheels (16), and comprising a motor-driven separating knife (25). According to the invention it is provided that at least one loosely rotatable support element (21) is arranged on the support frame (11) parallel to the driving wheels (16).