What Features/specs To Look For In A Pressure Washer?

steve-in-kville

For basic contractor/painting stuff, what features should I look for in my first pressure washer? Is there a prefered brand?

Thanks!!!

steve

__________________

Brushslingers

Universal tips and hoses, high GPM, something over 2500 psi. The one that recently "came up missing" was an all american 4000psi 4.0gpm, only thing I would have gotten different was the belt drive instead of piston.

__________________
Benn

Richard

Yeah....what he said~anything over 2500 psi. and I think sears sells decent ones. I personally like a washer that I can handle myself.

KellyPainting

Ya, start w/ at least a 3000 psi ...horsepower is important also 13 or more
honda makes a good engine......stuff thats also important... extra hose lenth.... I like the dual spinning tip also.... about $60 but it takes off everything loose.... leaves the wood a little hairy though... you'll have to sand after.

AFI

Hi Steve

About pumps I’ll recommend you General Pump or Cat. These two brands are super reliable. Cat is little more expensive that General Pump but are very hard to kill but parts some time you have to buy from Auth. Dealer. Instead General Pump part you can buy anywhere and are not to expensive as Cat.

About gas engines for small pumps from 1500 psi to 4000 psi Honda, bigger pumps Koler and Honda

Direct Drive or Belt Drive
Direct Drive usually is compact, less expensive and weight less but the engine heat is transfer to the pump, resting pump live at the long run.

Belt Drive is heavier, big on size, more expensive, consume more gas that Direct Drive but protect the pump from the engine heat.

PSI 3000, 3500 up to 4000 are great

GPM 3, 3.5 to 4 on small pumps Big pumps from 5 to 13 are great

But what is the best configuration?

Depend on what you want to use your Power Washer PSI give you the power force to remove material but as more GPM give you the power to complete your job faster. Oruse one machine with two lines. (At least 8 GPM’s)

Take in consideration the how many feet of hose you need 50Ft 100Ft to 150Ft are ok for small pumps w/3, 3.5 to 4 adding more ft will reduce the power. 150ft to 250ft is good for 5 to 13 GPM’s

To start I’ll recommend you a 3500psi w/ 4 GPM’s, Belt Drive with a Honda Engine, aluminum cart and 100Ft non marking hose you can get it for $900.00 to $1,000.00

I hope this information help you.

Art

Squrtgun

Cat pumps are over priced and expensive to replace or repair when they break down.General,Comet and AR can all be replaced for the cost of a repair kit for most Cat pumps.

4gpm/3500psi is a good set up.Belt drive will save wear on the pump.
B&S commercial engines are just as reliable as Honda or Kohler.I have an 18hp B&S on our rig that has over 1000 hrs on it and it's still going strong.Maintenance is the key to keeping any small engine running.
Turbo nozzles are just about the last thing anyone needs to use on any wood surface.We have seen more decks than I can count ruined by HO's with a turbo tip or a zero degree tip.

Take a look at www.replacementpumps.com
They have some of the most reasonable prices on machines and replacment and repair parts.

steve-in-kville

Thanks for the replies... this is a great start!

steve

__________________

HUDSONVALLEYEXT

Do not buy Ryobi our first one broke the quick connect on the second use. The second one had the pump freeze up and our third one had all the engine mounts vibrate and fall out...I would go with the excell washers we have had no problems with our excel for 3 years and we put through some hardcore use...

Squrtgun

Why buy a box store unit?

The units from companies that cater to contractors aren't that much more expensive and are much more reliable and these companies offer superior customer support.Think of companies like the one in my link as your one stop pressure washing needs shop.

I have watched hundreds of start-up pressure washing companies over the last 6 yrs skimp on their machine purchase only to be left with a steaming pile of junk. Why?They bought a HO grade machine from a box store and worked it to death in very short order.Common sense should prevail.If $300-$500 extra for quality equipment is going to make or break any business there is something wrong.

SgtBaldy

never buy the HO grade machines. They may say they have Honda engines but they are Honda in name only. I believe the Honda GX engines are the good ones. If it isn't a cat,general or ar pump I wouldn't get it either.

__________________
Tampa Painters

steve-in-kville

Thanks for the helpful replies. This is useful info. I'm a Honda fan myself as I've owned various power equipment with their engines on them.

steve

__________________

hawkpbt44

HORSE POWER AND I WOULD BYE A HONDA