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03-29-2008, 08:49 PM
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#1
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Pro
Trade:
Dry Ice Blasting
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 198
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Belt vs Direct Drive
Hey guys, I'm not that mechanically inclined so I was hoping someone could shed some light on the difference/advantages/disadvantages of either. Also preference...thanks, this will help in determining a pressure washer for my business.
Just a side note, I'm just adding a small cold water unit to my Dry Ice Blasting business to assist in graffiti removal. I won't be using it for much else...yet...lol.
thx.
Mike
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03-29-2008, 08:52 PM
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#2
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Pro
Trade:
Preassembled, prefinished railing manufacturer
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 305
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Most belt drives are only about 70% efficient at best. So you need to upsize HP by about 1/3, since direct has zero loss.
Joe
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03-29-2008, 09:01 PM
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#3
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Pro
Trade:
Dry Ice Blasting
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 198
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I could be wrong but I think most belt drive units I've priced out are a little more expensive? why is that?
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03-29-2008, 09:33 PM
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#4
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Pro
Trade:
Preassembled, prefinished railing manufacturer
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 305
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Mike,
Sorry, I don't know the ins & outs of pressure washers in general, but the only advantage I can come up for belt drive with would be better isolation from engine vibration & heat. I'd try washer web sites for a better explanation of belt drive advantages.
Joe
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03-29-2008, 09:47 PM
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#5
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Pro
Trade:
Dry Ice Blasting
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 198
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Thanks Joe. I'll ask around.
mike
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03-30-2008, 08:49 AM
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#6
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SEALERGUY
Trade:
DECK RESTORATION-BRICK PAVER RESTORATION-
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: COMMERCE TWP. MICHIGAN
Posts: 19
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Belt drives will outlast direct by 4-6. I currently use direct (last 9 years) but switching to belts this year. I did the math and it's a big savings both in longevity of the unit, and with the extra gpm, you will complete jobs slightly faster. I guess you shouldn't go more than 5.5 gallons per minute when using the customers water supply as your only source. My directs only last me about 1 year using full time before I'm changing out the pump. Pressuretek.com has a belt 5.5 for around 1400.00, and thats not a bad price.
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03-30-2008, 10:35 PM
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#7
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Pro
Trade:
Dry Ice Blasting
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 198
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Alright, here's another question thrown at you guys.
What if I add a tank on my truck for water supply, can I use a direct drive for this? I've heard that you are unable to do this with a direct drive? belt driven only is what I've heard.
mike
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03-30-2008, 11:17 PM
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#8
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Member
Trade:
pressure washing/low pressure roof cleaning
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 47
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Mike,
A belt drive will definitely out last a direct drive. Like mentioned above a belt drive reduces the vibration and heat that the pump endures. Another huge factor in the extended life of a belt drive unit is that the pump isn't operating at the same RPM's as a direct drive unit pump. On a DD the pump is forced to turn the same RPM's has the engine. The pump doesn't need to turn this many RPM's to operate, so on a BD unit the pump RPM's are reduced, extending the life of the pump.
To answer your other question a BD unit will "suck" water from a tank without a problem, as long as all the fittings are air tight and the hose is in good condition. A DD unit will not, you will have to gravity feed the pump by having the water supply higher than the pump itself, but as long as you do that then yes you can use a water tank to feed either unit.
Hope this helps.
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04-16-2008, 06:47 AM
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#9
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SEALERGUY
Trade:
DECK RESTORATION-BRICK PAVER RESTORATION-
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: COMMERCE TWP. MICHIGAN
Posts: 19
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BARRY:ANYONE:? I've asked allmost all my biz buds out here, but what brand of belt drive do you think is economical in all ways, price, longevity, maintenance, ect...? They all prefer the landa 20hp?
Last edited by sealerguy; 04-16-2008 at 08:39 PM.
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04-16-2008, 06:49 AM
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#10
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Handle It!
Trade:
Everything The Union Guys Do Not Want To Do
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY ~ Haverford, PA
Posts: 7,901
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Belt drive is better in all ways!
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04-18-2008, 03:28 PM
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#11
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Pro
Trade:
Painting
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Florence, Alabama
Posts: 2,001
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Anyone ever thought of transforming a rider mower to a pw? Mount pump under the frame. Trailer water tank. Haul to job on drive-on trailer. Drive off and drive the pw with its own water supply where it is needed on the job. Is this a crazy idea?
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04-18-2008, 03:50 PM
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#12
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Pro
Trade:
Dry Ice Blasting
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 198
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get to work, lets see one in action...  I have an old lawnmower you could have...
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04-18-2008, 09:05 PM
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#13
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Where's the Grease
Trade:
Michigan Restaurant Vent a Hood Cleaning Company
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Troy Michigan
Posts: 31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boman47k
Anyone ever thought of transforming a rider mower to a pw? Mount pump under the frame. Trailer water tank. Haul to job on drive-on trailer. Drive off and drive the pw with its own water supply where it is needed on the job. Is this a crazy idea?
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Yes they have them:
http://www.cleanupamerica.com/
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04-19-2008, 05:15 AM
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#14
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Pro
Trade:
Painting
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Florence, Alabama
Posts: 2,001
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CO2Solutions
get to work, lets see one in action... I have an old lawnmower you could have... |
Really! I like free! When can I pick it up? LOL! Actually I have one not being used. Thanks anyway. 
My wife used to say I had million dollar ideas but never actd on them. 
Good to know I am not cpmpletely nuts though!
That is a very interesting link.
Last edited by boman47k; 04-19-2008 at 05:22 AM.
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05-17-2008, 10:38 PM
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#15
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Tampa
Trade:
Roof Cleaning
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
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Here in Tampa, there is a pressure cleaning supply house.
It is called Ameritech.
Many local Tampa Roof Cleaners and Pressure Washers buy from there.
Chuck suggests direct drive.
I used to use belt drive back in the day.
All my roof cleaning pumps are now direct drive.
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07-07-2008, 10:34 AM
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#16
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contractor
Trade:
power washing - new construction and restoration cleaning
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 82
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The major difference in direct and belt driven machines is the how the RPM's ratio's are metered. Basically your engine spins at a much higher RPM than your pump can handle, if the pump is directly mounted to the engine then your pump crank will be spinning far faster than it was designed for. (this adds stress, heat, and wear on your machine) Whereas with a belt driven machine they use pullies to ratio the RPM to proper proportions, giving your machine a longer lasting life with less wear and tear. We only use belt driven machines.
Last edited by tom connelly; 08-18-2008 at 12:36 PM.
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02-20-2009, 09:51 AM
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#17
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Registered User
Trade:
Pressure Cleaning & Roof Cleaning
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: North Port, FL
Posts: 13
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I have used a belt driven washer a few times and it was pretty good to me
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02-22-2009, 10:38 AM
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#18
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New Guy
Trade:
Power Washer, Roof Washing, Lawn Care, Landscaping
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Carrollton, KY
Posts: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sealerguy
BARRY:ANYONE:? I've asked allmost all my biz buds out here, but what brand of belt drive do you think is economical in all ways, price, longevity, maintenance, ect...? They all prefer the landa 20hp?
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I currently run a pressure pros 5.6 gpm hot water skid and a 4 gmp cold water unit . . . . I like them and have had next to no problems . . .
Give Bob at pressure tek a call
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02-22-2009, 06:58 PM
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#19
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Professional Remodeler
Trade:
Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 2,290
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I have one of each, the belt drive Landa 3500psi/4.5gpm had been a workhorse. Been using it for 6 years and not a single problem. I have a direct drive (can't remember brand) but it has a General pump and B&S motor. It is just a little smaller (3000psi/3.5gpm) but makes more noise and seems to run harder than the belt drive. Also shakes things loose every once in a while, like mounting bolts, hose fittings, etc. I keep the direct drive around as a backup for the Landa, and as the "loaner" machine if someone wants to borrow one.
__________________
 -Mike-
Falcon Contracting Residential - Commercial
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02-24-2009, 08:27 PM
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#20
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Registered User
Trade:
pressure washing/window cleaning
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: hampden, ma
Posts: 10
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I have been using both DD and BD for many tears. BD is the way to go wothout a doubt. Envirospec had a 13 hp/3.5gpm BD for approx. $1500 last year 3500psi. Not a bad unit for what you are using it for. Good luck! How's that blasting work out and what other uses are you using it for? bobgomez.wow@gmail.com
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