We have tried a floor scraper - did not do the job. We have tried an air chisel - did not do the job. The only sure way so far is a flat end crowbar and a sledge hammer and a lot of sweat.
if you got alot of area rent a tool called a bear cat its electric it will do the major grunt work , the wood probably will be toast , but somtimes its best to leave the existing floor down and cover it up with somthing else , especially if you go to lino ,carpet covers a mulitude of sins
the floor scrappers are too wide and the air chisel - yeah doesn't work well either. unfortunately, after my home flooded we had to do the same thing! here is what we used.... wonder bar and a hammer and two screwdrivers - one large and one smaller.... get to the edge pound in little screwdriver near the seam, larger one toward the other side/middle. rock upward once in and then get the wonderbar in.... then pound away at that. it takes forever.... 3 guys 2 full days AND that doesn't inclued the hallway and 3x18 area i'd already done.... it was a royal PITA!! good luck!
Set a circular saw to the thickness of the wood and make many cuts across the grain every foot or so.That way you are removing small pieces which are easier than longer planks. Then its called sweat blood and tears unfortunately. A super bar and a good 20 oz hammer will do. The other way which it a lot easier but more costly is a panther or other heavy electric floor scraper. It still is easier on the machine also to again cut across the grain every foot or so. The smaller you make the pieces the easier they come up. Good Luck
