Need help choosing between these two pressure washers.

sixdogs · May 29, 2016

I'm going to order one of these tomorrow and could use a little help from those that know more. What I would like is a Honda commercial engine, a CAT pump and 50 ft of hose with a good warranty. My goal is to use around the house, wash farm equipment, concrete and maybe some greasy equipment.

The first is 3300 psi, 2.5 gpm, a CAT pump but only 25 ft of hose. $719 delivered.
Pressure-Pro PPS2533HCI Professional 3300 PSI Gas Cold-Water Aluminum Frame Pressure Washer w/ Honda Engine & CAT Pump

The second is 4000 psi, 3.3 gpm, a brand "X" pump and 50 ft of hose. Approx $805 delivered.
SIMPSON PowerShot 4, PSI Commercial Gas Pressure Washer - Powered by Honda - Sam's Club

The first one I like but I don't want to buy a separate hose to replace the 25 ft one. It would do the job and has the desired CAT pump. I like it.

The second one has lots more power, more everything, 50 ft of hose but a pump of unknown quality. That pump concerns me. But then, a purchase from Sam's Club means I can take it back and get another if it fails.

Any thoughts from those who know pressure washers? I'm leaning towards the second one for $805. Any advice welcome.

71bronco · May 29, 2016

I bought one very similar at Sam's 15 or 20 yrs ago and it is still going strong. Price is down to $749 online with free shipping

Jeff

Scooby074 · May 29, 2016

Honda engine and Cat pump. That'd be my choice for a long lasting unit. More GPM is generally a good thing, but between those two, Id take the known commodity of the CAT pump, unless you can confirm the pump brand/quality of the Sams unit.

The wand and hose can be all upgraded at a later time.

Garandman · May 29, 2016

Simpson is a significant manufacturer. The DeWalt units are rebranded Simpson.

hosspuller · May 29, 2016

Clean water and plenty of supply pressure will do a lot for pump life. Gritty water is obvious. Low supply pressure leads to cavitation in the pump.

coobie · May 29, 2016

Honda engine with cat pump.I have the same problem free combo for the last 7 years mine is 4,000 psi.Remember when you store the washer for any length of time to use pump lube.

MX Dad · May 29, 2016

We work on exterior of buildings and frequently use pressure washers. I purchased a Simpson 18 years ago and still going strong today so we have stuck with them. Simpson is very respected in this neck of the woods. I dont know what pump it came with but I would be willing to go out on a limb and say its worthy. I paid something like $ 3,500 for it back then. We wanted a commercial grade washer and this one has not disappointed at all. Just the opposite, it has been Ol' Faithful. I was really struggling forking out that kind of money for a pressure washer but glad I did. Over the years, we have purchased some of the less expensive ones and they just cant hang with the commercial grade. I'm certainly not suggesting the other one is inferior, I'm really not familiar with them as much as the Simpson so I cant speak for that one. The problem back then was the constant pumping. If you didnt hold the trigger down, the pump would burn up very quick. I think that has been resolved now but I would certainly inquire about it if there is actual Customer Support/Tech. Good luck.

sixdogs · May 29, 2016

Great advice in these posts. Thank you.

Code54 · May 29, 2016

For the money I would go with he Simpson - even though it is not a "CAT pump" there are a lot of other good pumps out and that one has a AAA pump (simpsons own pump)
Most people seem to like them and get good service out of them. You are going to want some more GPM and PSI for grease and oil especially if cleaning concrete and this one has a good bit more than the first one.
As for the pressure pro if you contact them they maybe able to substitute a long hose for a fee. When I ordered my last commercial unit I was able to switch the 50' hose to 100 for a very reasonable cost.

Clay45 · May 30, 2016

Code54 said:
For the money I would go with he Simpson - even though it is not a "CAT pump" there are a lot of other good pumps out and that one has a AAA pump (simpsons own pump)
Most people seem to like them and get good service out of them. You are going to want some more GPM and PSI for grease and oil especially if cleaning concrete and this one has a good bit more than the first one.
As for the pressure pro if you contact them they maybe able to substitute a long hose for a fee. When I ordered my last commercial unit I was able to switch the 50' hose to 100 for a very reasonable cost.

Good advice.

sixdogs · May 30, 2016

More good advice. Thanks again. I have learned a great deal about pressure washers from this and another thread I started.

One question that has come up is to use soft water and also to use water that has gone through a filter for a pressure washer. Apparently, hard or unfiltered water can affect pump life. I can use soft filtered water from the garage for this but would prefer to use an outside faucet with unfiltered harder water. Anyone see a problem with this?

Also, how big of a problem is pump cavitation? I'm going to check the flow from the hose at it's longest length but surely think I have more than 3.5 GPM from a 1HP well pump and 60 foot well.

bigtiller · May 30, 2016

I would go with the Honda/Cat and buy another 25' of hose. Connect the 2 hoses with a swiveling union so the hose doesn't twist up into a wad as easy.

Also, I would like to have a little more GPM but that is what makes power washers expensive. Mine is only 2gpm and i sure would like to have more someday.

Code54 · May 30, 2016

Also, how big of a problem is pump cavitation? - A big one honestly. That is what kills pumps, some pumps will handle it better then others but is a GOOD idea to check your flow. One place i use mine flows around 3.5 - 4.0 gpm, I run a 4.0 gpm so I have a buffer tank that I hook between by washer and my spigot. A little more effort BUT it assures that me that I don't run low on water flow. With the 2.5 gpm I would think you will be fine- that is under what most people get. Just stick a 5 gallon bucket under the spigot and turn it on for 1 minute to get a quick and easy idea of what your flow is. Also don't forget that is someone else is home and turns the washer on then flushes the toilet it can seriously reduce your flow and cause cavitation (you may have a buffer tank already if your running on a well that will help reduce this issue greatly) I have city water and run a buffer tank due to being so far off the main line and it helps a ton when a lot of things pull water at once.
Hard water is not great - but you can run an inline filter and clean up those issues..... Check your flow after installing the filter to make sure it is passing enough water.
On that note, also watch using "quick connects" - while they are handy most reduce your water flow a good bit so always check your flow as you are planning on hooking it up - after filters, after connections, etc...
With the knowledge that is being shared by everyone here you will end up with a good unit that will provide years and years of service!

sixdogs · May 30, 2016

Code54...thank you. I checked my flow today at the end of a 50 ft hose and had almost 5 GPM. I'm going to try to get the smaller unit@2.5 GPM tomorrow with a 50 ft hose rather than the 25 ft one it comes with. If I can't get a low buck swap out on a 50 ft hose I'm going to order the 4000 psi unit with 3.3 GPM flow rate. I should be OK with that. I really want a CAT pump but this other pump gets great reviews and I have faith in Simpson so...

My thinking is that I get a big boost in PSI for $95, after taxes. It allows me to clean faster and have the extra PSI if I need it.

Rustyiron · May 30, 2016

I built a (commercial) carwash and all the equipment used *Cat pump's. Rebuildable, but I'm not sure it's necessary for a home situation.

* fwiw, Cat pump's is not Caterpillar.

Code54 · May 30, 2016

Your welcome - if you need anything else just ask!
By the way 5.0 is good flow so you should be set

MX Dad · May 30, 2016

Have any of you guys tried that Turbo Tip? Any success with that thing? I have heard people say it works really well but havent tried it yet. I think they cost like $ 40.00 or so.

bdog · May 31, 2016

Something else to add is how is the thing built? Some pressure washers appear that it would be very easy to replace the pump or the engine if either went bad. Others seem so compact and integrated that it would be difficult to do. On my current pressure washer it appears it would be very easy to replace anything but on my old craftsman one it broke and I wasn't even going to attempt to fix it.

sixdogs · May 31, 2016

MX Dad said:
Have any of you guys tried that Turbo Tip? Any success with that thing? I have heard people say it works really well but havent tried it yet. I think they cost like $ 40.00 or so.

I have only read about them but have searched considerably and read glowing praise. Everyone seemed to love them, said they did a terrific job and not to even bother with the nozzles the unit comes with. You have to order the psi that matches your unit and can order the Simpson one from Home Depot or Lowes for around $30. It's on my list.

Shop SIMPSON Universal Turbo Nozzle for Cold Water Pressure Washers at Lowes.com