Recommend a Pressure Washer

Lanse · Mar 16, 2016

Hey everyone!

Quick question, that I thought I'd ask here since I know a lot of y'all have a pressure washer to clean off your machines with... I need to buy one for a project that I have coming up at some point fairly soon.

Anyway, here are a few things that I have in mind:

-Budget $400-$1000

-MUST be new

-I need an engine that'll last for ages and start easily/reliably by carbureted engine standards, so a Honda. Possibly a chinese clone motor, I love those things as well

-A commercial unit would be preferred if I could stay within budget, I try not to buy consumer grade tools whenever I can help it

Also, anything in general to look for in a pressure washer? What separates the "good" ones from the cruddy ones? Are the GENERAC models any good?

Thanks in advance guys...

shaun wallace · Mar 16, 2016

Do you want to hot or cold water. My preference is one with self contained heater for hot water for the really tough stuff. The type of soap also makes difference to.

Tom OConnor · Mar 16, 2016

Lanse,

If you have a small tractor around don't overlook the three point hitch units. I have one that I like very much as you can control the pressure by how fast you run the pto. Rev it up and you can take the paint and decals off if you are not careful or run it at about half throttle for general cleaning.

K Effective · Mar 16, 2016

Coworker swears by discountpressurewashers.com. He got a Honda powered 3000 psi delivered to his door overnight for a tremendous price, and is very happy with it.

Determined · Mar 16, 2016

Flow without pressure is basically a garden hose.
Pressure without flow is like washing your deck with a toothbrush.

For a cold water machine I would want to see at least 2000 psi and at least 3 gpm.
I have a big Karcher that runs on 220 volt.
If you try to run it with one hand on the wand it will give you a smack in the forehead.
It does everything I need it to do and more.

oldtanker · Mar 16, 2016

Make sure it's one that can be serviced locally. The place my wife works at sell outdoor power equipment. They won't repair most pressure washers because they can't get parts for them. So check a couple of local dealers. If they carry a brand they can get parts for it. My SIL bought a one at a sale. A year later he let a cousin borrow it and it came back with a bad pump. We got lucky because it's a Briggs and Stratton brand name unit. So any Briggs dealer can get us parts.

Rick

Rkh · Mar 17, 2016

Gas, not electric. Extra electric wire to handle plus the ovious-water & electricity dont mix.

Geo-TH,In · Mar 17, 2016

I had to put a starter on my 13 HP Honda.Too hard for me to start.

showcrop · Mar 17, 2016

Just don't buy one of the units that has a pump designed to last only 50 hours like the Troy Built that my friend bought at Lowes.

http://www.ppe-pressure-washer-parts.com/troy-bilt-020415-pressure-washer-parts

Mike M · Mar 17, 2016

Years ago I bought the largest 110 volt hotsy they made. Been extremely happy with it. I sure did not want another small engine to try and keep running and with 110 Volt I can run it most anywhere if needed. Hot water sure works better !

Hobo,NC · Mar 17, 2016

http://www.pressure-washer-buyers-guide.com/pressure-washer-pump.html

Real pressure washer outfits have told me Cat pumps were the best. Most of the time when you see a washer with a cat pump its priced higher. I have a 3500 psi with a Honda engine it has a Annovi pump like this BTW it was in the $900 range.

https://www.pressureparts.com/xmv3g...GX26FrCyWZvQUuaxoC2PPw_wcB&ad=73687943705

So far it been a good washer when I buy another it will be a hot water washer you can not beat hot water. :wink: How many cold water dish washers have to see... None I spec...

Briar Hill Brittanys · Mar 17, 2016

We got one with a Briggs motor and a CAT pump like Hobo's post describes. It's used in all months of the year, the Briggs starts on the 1st or 2nd pull, always. Pump has operated flawlessly. One thing I'd recommend whatever you buy, invest in the 4 oz cans of Pump Saver. It's a foaming anti-freeze/lube that coats everything in the pump. It's a little pricey, but you get 5 or 6 uses out of a can. Mark

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Mar 17, 2016

Cat pumps I've always heard are top of the line. AR are good too. The main thing is stay away from the rotary style pumps. They're basically a throw away unit. I have a North Star branded unit from Northern that has been a very good machine. It's old enough that it has the classic 5hp Briggs with an inline AR pump.

Dune Country · Mar 17, 2016

I bought a Landa/hot 18 years ago when I had heavy equipment.
It is 110 w/gfci but I have used it with a generator.
Burns diesel and it has not been a problem.
Hot water is a must, it even has a temp control.

Married2Allis · Mar 17, 2016

Can't go wrong with the Northern Tool North Star p/w's. They were out of my price range so I bought a $375 Ryobi w/ Honda motor and 3000psi. It's been good so far but I don't expect the pump to last long. The thing I like about Northern Tool is they support what they sell and have the replacement pumps and parts.

Mike M · Mar 17, 2016

I just do what my salesman did when he demos them. He just takes windshield washer fluid or RV antifreeze and sucks it up into the pump until it comes out the wand you will see the blue or red color.

aFORDable · Mar 17, 2016

I bought one at local IH dealer (IH brand) that is commercial 4000 psi in that price range. Works good but will peel paint if you're not careful.

buickanddeere · Mar 17, 2016

Gas engine give lots of pressure and volume with the ability to throttle back .
A three piston ceramic pump can handle warm/hot water from the house or shop tap.

fixerupper · Mar 17, 2016

Something with a Honda GX (commercial) engine and a Cat pump. I have a compressor and a pressure washer both with an older Honda GX390 13HP engine. The engines are near zero maintenance and start easy. The pressure washer starts on the first pull every time but it is always in warm temps. The compressor has battery start and starts well in warm temps too but as the temp gets colder it turns cold blooded because of EPA lean mandates. A neighbor has this same 390 CC Honda engine on a water transfer pump only it's not the GX version. It is finicky and does not start nearly as well.

fixerupper · Mar 17, 2016

Oh yes, I stole, er, bought my pressure washer for $350 with twenty hours of use on it. It's 3700 PSI and 4GPM if I remember right. Honda GX390 with a Cat pump. We have used the heck out of it washing feed trucks, cars, pickups, shop floor etc. It's started up and used every other day on average and it just doesn't give up. I have it hooked to a separate fuel oil hot water heater made for pressure washers. Bought the heater used but refurbished for $100. If I throttle the pump down the wand stem will get so hot I can't touch it. Not good for nozzle Orings but good for cutting grease.

4020 electrician · Mar 17, 2016

Don't get a generac. Something goes wrong you'll get "hosed".. I've had ones that were in your price range but couldn't handle them not holding up. 10hrs a week. Finally broke down and bought a Landa, 230 volt, diesel burner. We have been using that for 6 yrs with no problems and parts are available.

Recommend a Pressure Washer

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