A decent pressure washer?

[Sigarms]

What to look for in a "decent" pressure washer?

Do you just go off the PSI and gallons per minute?

What makes a $300 washer different from a $600 washer if the specs are in the same parimeters?

At the box stores, I'm figuring some of the "brand names" (such as John Deere or Ridgid) are just sub'ed out and made by someone else.

Anyone have high recommendations on any brands?

Don't really want to spend more than $600, will be used for around the house for various jobs.

 

[JESSE1]

I bought a Troybilt pressure washer from Lowe's about 4 years ago. 3700psi, 4gpm with a 13hp Honda engine. Does everything I want to do. Bigger is better with a pressure washer. You can throttle the engine down if you don't need full pressure. If you buy a small washer you'll regret it the first big job you try to do. My pressure washer cost about $950. We have a smaller Troybilt pressure washer at work. Not nearly as effective as the one I have.

 

[om21braz]

I'll second Jesse, a friend of mine has the same unit (Troy-Built 13hp Honda) that he allows me to borrow. I'd say it has better components than most and plenty of power for any job within reason. Just make sure you have a good supply of water to it and get the starting procedure down - it starts easy (1-2 pulls) as long as you follow directions.

 

[Big Bri]

I would get one with a Honda engine, one with a GX engine at that, and i think it should have a CAT pump. Lots of rebuild parts for the cat pumps.
PSI is important but so is GPM (gallons per min). A unit that puts out 3000 psi with 3gpm will not clean as fast as one that has 2500 psi at 4gpm. but will cut gunk faster. I like belt drive units but others might not. No need buying a large unit if your just cleaning your patio furniture but if you are wanting to clean your tractor, truck, driveway then go for a big 3000 psi 3.5 gpm unit or bigger.
good luck

 

[jmolwitz]

Belt drive is what separates the boys from the men:thumbsup: The belt takes the shock when you let go of the trigger before the unloader valve starts to recirculate the water . The older mechanic at Sherwin Williams told me that some direct drive units last as little as 100 hours . He saw a lot of equipment , and even had some ancient parts to fix mine .

My machine is a simpson from 1988 with a 11hp honda and a general pump . I rebuilt the pump once myself .

 

[mjarrels]

Don't make the mistake I did... Got a 1700 PSI Northern Tool unit. Needs a dedicated 15 amp outlet which I don't have. Outside hose bib also is a little short of the 1.7 gallon water flow needed. So, I have a $500.00 plus pressure washer that just helps hold my concrete floor down in the garage. Might work at my other house, just have not tried it there yet.

mark

 

[crusty 1]

you don,t want an axial pump,a piston pump will last much longer.For average use about 2500 psi and 3 gallons per mn. will work ok for most.I once had a diesel powered 4.5 gal. per mn. and 210 temp water and 4000 psi and I could cut lumber with it.A bit of over kill but did it ever work great.But holding that thing was like a fat lady leaning on you all day!:laughingave

 

[2manyrocks]

I think it depends on your intended use. I have a couple of el-cheapo electric washers that are perfectly adequate for light use. They won't strip paint or wash a foot of mud off a 4x4, but for light use, they are fine.

 

[schmism]

What makes a $300 washer different from a $600 washer if the specs are in the same parimeters?

the pump.

one is a cheep that will fail in about a year perhaps less. the other is going to be a decent pump that you can expect decent life out of.


Pressure really doesnt do THAT much cleaning.... the VOLUME does. Go with the largest GPM pump you can afford.

 

[Sigarms]

Thanks for the info guys, very informative.

Don't make the mistake I did... Got a 1700 PSI Northern Tool unit.

Not sure if I did or not. The only one I had came from Northern Tool. Lasted five years, under $300. Overall not bad I guess for the price (and I did use is), but from what I've read, it seems it can be a hit or miss on the quality of pressure washers.

They won't strip paint or wash a foot of mud off a 4x4,

In part, what I'd be looking to do as well as other chores around the house (brick, deck, driveway, mower...)

 

[charlz]

I went through the same thing. Ended up buying the 'BlackMax' gas version from Sam's Club.

Honda GC190 engine, Chinese direct drive pump, 3000psi/2.5GPM along with the extra 3 year extended warranty. There are a couple of BlackMax authorized repair places where I live so I figured it would be pretty straight forward to get it repaired.

All the features you really would want are in the high-end 'commercial' versions for lots of $$$. I figured I'd just go with 'easy to fix' I was also advised to not let go of the trigger if you can help it, will make the pump last much longer without those shock loads. Mine cannot be idled down, just 'Choke' and 'No Choke'. I use mine at least 2-3 times a month to wash dirtbikes.

 

[crusty 1]

I don,t use a pressure washer any more but used to alot.You want to avoid long periods of running without flow but the unloader valve is made to unload and bypass the pressure,which doesn,t hurt anything but if left for say 5 minutes can heat the seals and they,ll need replacment sooner.The piston pumps are made with ceramic pistons.They are easy to repair just think of them as a very small piston engine.Biggest problem is freezing from cold weather.If it gets cold just put anti freeze in a can and put it in thru the inlet to the pump.:thumbsupave

 

[CDsdad]

I've got a Campbell Hausfeld walmart special I bought in '02. It ran good the last time I used it. I clean concrete, vinyl siding, truck and tractor with it. It's 2250 psi @ 2.5 gpm I think. All the decals are washed off. I bought it with walmart cards I was given at work and I think it cost $250 back then. I've probably used it a half dozen times a year. So far, so good.

 

[JRobyn]

+1 on the "depends on your usage". I've got a little Karcher electric 1400 psi, 1.6 gpm unit that I just love, but then I typically use it for parts cleaning, mud washing of vehicles, etc. Only use it a couple of times per year and it has given good service for about 5-6 years now. Would NOT be very suitable for cleaning large areas.

- Jay

 

[SPYDERLK]

You might want to check the 6.5 HP one at HF. Ive got more than 10 WFO hrs on mine. It was $279 on sale and seems bulletproof.
larry