Cleaning - Hot water pressure washer

[Code54]

We have several machines and I find I spend a fair amount of time getting them dirty and am looking for a quicker way to clean them up. I have a "regular" pressure water and it is a good machine but I been looking at the hot water pressure washer and was wonder what you all think about them. Are they considerably "better" at cleaning? We have some SxS machine and I was wondering how they were at removing mud.
I know they work pretty good on grease and oil and figure it would be handy for doing the car motors from time to time and was wondering it they are any better for cleaning the regular exterior of the car.
I been looking at several brands but it seems a lot of people say the Northstar brand is a deal for the money, anyone own one that would comment?

 

[Scooby074]

Way way better!
I dont have one personally, but all the shops Ive worked at had hot water (or steam) heated washers. For grease and oil they are the most impressive, even with mud and dirt they preformed better, detergent works better with hot water.Some day, when my cold water model dies I intend on having my own. Ive been known to run warm water through the "cold" water washer for those really tough cleaning jobs. I dont recommend that, because it will overheat a cold water model if you are not careful.

Brand wise, Most of the ones I used were Landas, with Easy Clean the second most common.I was going to recommend against Karcher, because Ive seen bad experiences with Karcher and the cost and availability of parts, but it appears that Landa is now owned by Karcher (looks like Karcher went and bought almost all the HW washer companies, like Hotsy)... No idea what that would mean for Landa parts today

 

[lutt]

I have a Hotsey, it's a 120 volt model I got as a refurb from our local dealer. I wouldn't trade it for nothing. It's a very good unit. Wish I was home to take pics. It use expandable tips on the want. The o degree one will cut paint on a vehicle. I always use the fan one, don't remember which degree. With the DIESEL fired hot water boiler it will cut grease and grime very easily. I use there product called break through soap and another wax product they sell. I get them in 5 gallon buckets. They go a long way. It has a adjustable soaper, that will meter it out how much soap you want. If I use it regular on the pickup I rarely have to hand wash. Love it for cleaning the tractor and equipment . When I was guiding duck hunters, used it to cut out thick Arkansas gumbo mud from the ranger. Main use was for washing out he pig barn when we had pigs. It's awesome for engine and cleanup around the 3 point and rear areas on the tractor. Keeps the mower super clean. Blows all the grass of the decks. Just makes cleanup fast and easy! Definetly recommend a Hotsey! LUTT

 

[lutt]

Here is the link on there website like the one I have. Hotsy 500 Series Hot Water Pressure Washers LUTT

 

[Coyote machine]

If you take hot water showers you already know the answer. Use of proper detergents and hot water is the only way to go.:thumbsup:

 

[fried1765]

I have a Hotsey, it's a 120 volt model I got as a refurb from our local dealer. I wouldn't trade it for nothing. It's a very good unit. Wish I was home to take pics. It use expandable tips on the want. The o degree one will cut paint on a vehicle. I always use the fan one, don't remember which degree. With the DIESEL fired hot water boiler it will cut grease and grime very easily. I use there product called break through soap and another wax product they sell. I get them in 5 gallon buckets. They go a long way. It has a adjustable soaper, that will meter it out how much soap you want. If I use it regular on the pickup I rarely have to hand wash. Love it for cleaning the tractor and equipment . When I was guiding duck hunters, used it to cut out thick Arkansas gumbo mud from the ranger. Main use was for washing out he pig barn when we had pigs. It's awesome for engine and cleanup around the 3 point and rear areas on the tractor. Keeps the mower super clean. Blows all the grass of the decks. Just makes cleanup fast and easy! Definetly recommend a Hotsey! LUTT

I have had my Hotsy for nearly 30 years.
It is a fantastic machine, and in great condition but I hardly ever use it anymore.
I am planning to list it on E-Bay this Spring (when I get back from FL.). I note that the OP lives far from me.
Even on a pallet, it would be impossible to avoid shipping damage.
A buyer will have to pick it up.

 

[Code54]

Thanks for all the info!!!
I am thinking we are going to have to order one fairy soon. I did find a few models where you use your current pressure washer and it hooks to a secondary unit that heats the water, has anyone tried these units. The purchase price is less of course because you are not buying a motor or pump. I sort of like the idea of the pressure washer being separate as it allows portability of the unit when I don't need hot water cleaning. Plus if the pressure washer goes it is real easy to hook another one up and go with minimal down time.
Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Code54]

One more thing - I may look at some used ones if something happens to come up. IS there anything special I should be looking at? The engine stuff I am comfortable with but don't know a lot about pump and heaters.....

 

[fried1765]

One more thing - I may look at some used ones if something happens to come up. IS there anything special I should be looking at? The engine stuff I am comfortable with but don't know a lot about pump and heaters.....

My older Hotsy has a 1-1/2HP (120V) electric motor.
Unless you are certain you will need to use it away from an electric power source, I would go for an electric version.
Just another small engine to care for, is just another small engine you will have to fix, the next time you try to start it!

 

[lutt]

My older Hotsy has a 1-1/2HP (120V) electric motor. Unless you are certain you will need to use it away from an electric power source, I would go for an electric version. Just another small engine to care for, is just another small engine you will have to fix, the next time you try to start it!

I agree, don't know about the older ones, mine just requires a 30 amp breaker for service. It's not hard to run. If a guy has a trailer with fold down full width ramp, not hard to load, just roll it up there and strap it on. If a Guy had a large water tank and generator he could have a portable washer! I would check the burner and the pump oil and see how clean it is also. Later models have a sight glass on them. And in the winter time they need to be in a heated shop or garage, if not they need winterized. Always need-stored indoors when not in use. LUTT

 

[buickanddeere]

My hot water washer consists of a three piston ceramic pump supplied with hot water from the building's water heater. No fuss, no muss. Cold water washing is a waste of time and effort.

 

[The Fred]

I bought an Easy-Kleen 4035 commercial unit with Kohler engine and Intertek (their best) pump.

I love the machine and have used it very little, in fact I am only on my second (10 gal) tank of diesel fuel for the burner end.

The alternator would not charge the battery because of a bad connection, I fixed myself.

I've changed the engine oil and pump oil and the machine just started puking oil out the bottom of the pump.

I love it folks the pump has a 90 day warranty, and this is a $3,600 dollar machine.

Not sure I'd buy another one but the machine does work excellent.

Fred

Commercial Hot Water Gas & Diesel | Easy Kleen

 

[Code54]

I bought an Easy-Kleen 4035 commercial unit with Kohler engine and Intertek (their best) pump.

I love the machine and have used it very little, in fact I am only on my second (10 gal) tank of diesel fuel for the burner end.

The alternator would not charge the battery because of a bad connection, I fixed myself.

I've changed the engine oil and pump oil and the machine just started puking oil out the bottom of the pump.

I love it folks the pump has a 90 day warranty, and this is a $3,600 dollar machine.

Not sure I'd buy another one but the machine does work excellent.

Fred

Commercial Hot Water Gas & Diesel | Easy Kleen

Ouch - that hurts, sorry to hear that!!

I have looked a few electric models and given that some thought. Also looked at a "hot Box" add on heater. Not a bad idea and sort of like the idea in some ways. I like if the washer craps I could always just hook up a different one and be up and running in minutes. I also liked the idea it could run with an elec. or gas unit depending on what i am doing. The draw back is it gives me two items to store but it does not look too bad. The Northstar one I seen will run up to 4000psi and think it was 4 GPM so I can always get a better pressure washer when mine dies which is perk. Lots to look at and decide! LOL

 

[Coyote machine]

I bought an Easy-Kleen 4035 commercial unit with Kohler engine and Intertek (their best) pump.

I love the machine and have used it very little, in fact I am only on my second (10 gal) tank of diesel fuel for the burner end.

The alternator would not charge the battery because of a bad connection, I fixed myself.

I've changed the engine oil and pump oil and the machine just started puking oil out the bottom of the pump.

I love it folks the pump has a 90 day warranty, and this is a $3,600 dollar machine.

Not sure I'd buy another one but the machine does work excellent.

Fred

Commercial Hot Water Gas & Diesel | Easy Kleen

It needs a turbo jet engine!:laughing:

 

[1MOA]

I own a company that does heavy industrial cleaning. we use NOTHING but hot water machines. To be honest one thing that has not been addressed is down streaming a chem Be it soap, degreaser ect through the machine and cleaning that way. You honestly need very little pressure at all to wash some of the most nasty things out there.

 

[Code54]

What exactly is down steaming? never heard that term?
I been checking my water flow and it looks like it is going to be my limiting factor - only about 3.3 GPM at the outside spigots so that limits me on what machine I get. Really wanted one with a higher output but we live so far from the main line we have low flow so I am sort of stuck (way to big and expensive of a job to get more water to the house).
This is getting me to lean towards adding a hot box and keeping my smaller pressure washer. Figure I can use it for now and if we ever get better water pressure and flow I can always upgrade the pressure washer.
Any of you ever use a hot box (add on hot water system for a pressure washer) and if so how did you like it?
Thanks

 

[Green Power]

We have had a hotsy on the farm for quite a while, good units IMO.

 

[1MOA]

What exactly is down steaming? never heard that term?
I been checking my water flow and it looks like it is going to be my limiting factor - only about 3.3 GPM at the outside spigots so that limits me on what machine I get. Really wanted one with a higher output but we live so far from the main line we have low flow so I am sort of stuck (way to big and expensive of a job to get more water to the house).
This is getting me to lean towards adding a hot box and keeping my smaller pressure washer. Figure I can use it for now and if we ever get better water pressure and flow I can always upgrade the pressure washer.
Any of you ever use a hot box (add on hot water system for a pressure washer) and if so how did you like it?
Thanks

Down streaming is using a chemical injector past the pump on the pressure hose side (downstream of the pump). it works off vacuum. if you take the tip out of your gun the lower pressure and higher volume will trigger the down-streamer to kick on and suck whatever it is hooked up to to be injected into the stream of water headed tot he gun. on a hot machine that means a relatively mild degrease that is now heated to 200 degrees and directly applied will work FAR more effectively and quicker. For a 3.3 GPM machine you would need this unit...http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/General-Pump-100145/p3531.html
They are also available at northern tool online and other places. Simply mix your degreaser and degrease the tractor take the bucket of degreaser and then put a bucket of soapy water there and repeat and it will come spotless.

 

[Code54]

Thank you!
Today I ordered a add on "hot Box", it will do 4.0 gpm at 250 degrees, just hook my pressure washer up and go. I am looking forward to trying the down steaming as it sounds perfect for my use. I appreciate all the input from everyone and look forward to learning more about pressure washing and cleaning.

 

[lutt]

Thank you! Today I ordered a add on "hot Box", it will do 4.0 gpm at 250 degrees, just hook my pressure washer up and go. I am looking forward to trying the down steaming as it sounds perfect for my use. I appreciate all the input from everyone and look forward to learning more about pressure washing and cleaning.

Good deal, I think you will enjoy it. LUTT