Pressure Washer Advice

PapaPerk · Mar 28, 2015

Looking to buy a new pressure washer. Any one have any experience with a good quality unit?

I have been looking at a Northern Tool, NorthStar unit that is around $1,400. Hate to spend that much but I want quality... Which normally means Cat pump and honda engine.

I will be using washer for wide variety of tasks so adjustable pressure is really important

Thank you for any advice.

Cat_Driver · Mar 28, 2015

You hit the nail on the head - Cat pump Honda engine and you can't go wrong. I've has that set up on a pressure washer for 15 years now and she fires right up when I need here to. drain the tank after ea. use if you are storing it. Never put your hand in front of the nozzel, it will cut your hand off. Mine will carve my initials in concrete.

I alwsys wish I purchased a hot waster unit or pressure washer, but the price is high on those units, but great for grease on engines.

Commercial Pressure Washers @ Pressure Washers Direct

RKJeepXJ · Mar 28, 2015

Had my Northstar unit for over 5 years now. Get it out twice a year and it always fires right up!

J_J · Mar 28, 2015

I have 5 pressure washers, 4 with Honda and cat pumps and one Kohler powered washer.

I would recommend at least 3000 psi, 4 GPM.

You can vary the pressure and volume by running the engine speed lower.

A good turbo nozzle.

Soap and chlorine injector.

3000 psi gage in the pressure line.

You should know that even though it is rated for 3000 psi, it is the nozzle on the end that will determine the pressure.

You could go all out like I did since I was doing commercial, using extension poles, driveway and pool deck cleaners. Swimming pool bleach.

I also have a sand injector for wet sandblasting.

Pressure washer sewer snake. Clean them out like new.

I found a way to lock the pressure gun trigger down to prevent hand cramps.

ultrarunner · Mar 28, 2015

15 years ago I bought Northern CAT pump with Honda engine and so far no problems.

I also bought a $69 electric from ACE Hardware that I have been very pleased with... it was cheap and so far have 2 years on it... great for cleaning up equipment.

HOARDER · Mar 28, 2015

Have had Honda 13 hp 3500 psi with cat pump for years and it works great. only thing I would stay away from is a Honda GC engine. The GX are awesome but the GC is not a commercial engine plus it has a timing belt inside which I have trouble accepting, and recoil parts are not available you have to buy the whole assembly last I checked. I own two GX one on my splitter and one on my washer, @ work I have 3GX and 3GXV. My 3500PSI with the 0 degree (solid stream) tip will cut through pop cans..... yes I just had to see what it could do.

kevinwak · Mar 28, 2015

I just ordered a washer from the local small engine shop. Honda GX engine, 2700 psi 3.0 gpm cat pump, 50' hose on a real. I spent an extra $100 to get the pump that is suction rated. That way I will be able to throw the suction hose in the lake and wash off the boat! I am excited for it to come in, about two weeks away. I will add a review when it gets here.

PapaPerk · Mar 28, 2015

Cat_Driver said:
You hit the nail on the head - Cat pump Honda engine and you can't go wrong. I've has that set up on a pressure washer for 15 years now and she fires right up when I need here to. drain the tank after ea. use if you are storing it. Never put your hand in front of the nozzel, it will cut your hand off. Mine will carve my initials in concrete. I alwsys wish I purchased a hot waster unit or pressure washer, but the price is high on those units, but great for grease on engines. Commercial Pressure Washers @ Pressure Washers Direct

Thank you for the great info and website!

PapaPerk · Mar 28, 2015

Thank you everyone for the great advice!! I'll let you know what I get!

trevordd · Apr 7, 2015

I got my Northstar from tractortool store long time ago. Works like a charm for me, no issue at all. Go for it too, I guess.

TCowner · Apr 7, 2015

I recommend that you make sure you have enough water supply before you go to a pump bigger than 3 gpm. My waterlines to the garage were too small when we first built the house and I could barely get 3 gpm to the pressure washer. Consequently, it was constantly "starving" for water which gets rather annoying after while. When we moved the garage and attached it to the house we installed larger supply lines and we're fine now.

About the only time I have a problem now is when someone is showering and someone else running the washer. Of course, that seems to happen whenever I want to wash the tractor.

tow653 · Apr 7, 2015

Just got a Ridgid, from Home Depot. Has Cat pump and a Subaru engine. So far it seems to be a real quality piece of equipment.

PapaPerk · Apr 7, 2015

tow653 said:
Just got a Ridgid, from Home Depot. Has Cat pump and a Subaru engine. So far it seems to be a real quality piece of equipment.

Cool! Thank you for the feedback!

Zick · Apr 7, 2015

Another option is looking through craigslist for a used one.

I bought an older Dewalt PW with a Honda GX and CAT pump for about $300 and it works great.

MinnesotaEric · Apr 7, 2015

PapaPerk said:
Looking to buy a new pressure washer. Any one have any experience with a good quality unit?

I have been looking at a Northern Tool, NorthStar unit that is around $1,400. Hate to spend that much but I want quality... Which normally means Cat pump and honda engine.

I will be using washer for wide variety of tasks so adjustable pressure is really important

Thank you for any advice.

I have a Honda powered Karcher that I've been using for 6 years.

While I think the engine is a pile of poo, the Karcher stuff all seems pretty good. I've added quick disconnects to everything.

The reviews over at Amazon tell me that I'm lucky.

Amazon.com : Karcher G 2600 VH 2600PSI 2.3GPM Gas Pressure Washer : Patio, Lawn & Garden

kevinwak · Apr 14, 2015

My new washer came in today and my precious wife and boys picked it up. I tried it out when I got home from work and it felt awesome. I quickly washed my truck, in the dark. I will post pics and a review when days off come.

PapaPerk · Apr 15, 2015

kevinwak said:
My new washer came in today and my precious wife and boys picked it up. I tried it out when I got home from work and it felt awesome. I quickly washed my truck, in the dark. I will post pics and a review when days off come.

That's great! Looking forward to some pics! (0:

shallowwatersailor · May 1, 2015

A unit that probably would be probably passed on by most is the Harbor Freight 2500 psi pressure washer. I've had mine going on a fifth season now and it continues to work for me. I pressure wash my three decks, roof of the carport, and driveway every year. I also de-grease the tractors that I buy plus maintain the ones that do the work. It gets an oil change each year plus I've changed the pump oil twice. I calculate the use at about 30-35 hours a year. It didn't get an hour meter (wish I had installed one) as I never figured on this much use - and it surviving!

This past winter (-2 F on two mornings) due to lack of storage it ended up staying outside under cover. I had used a pump saver to evacuate the water but never ran the carb empty or fogged the engine. I took it out this week to use on my newest acquisition. All I did was add fresh gas to what was in the tank and expected to have to work at getting it started. Pulled it up on the compression stroke and pulled. Unbelievably it started on the first pull! I'm just amazed at how it: "Takes a beating, and keeps on ticking."

Wagtail · May 1, 2015

EricTheOracle said:
I have a Honda powered Karcher that I've been using for 6 years.

While I think the engine is a pile of poo, the Karcher stuff all seems pretty good. I've added quick disconnects to everything.

The reviews over at Amazon tell me that I'm lucky. [/url]

I've got an electric Karcher and it works brilliantly... the internal parts are brass. The reason I specifically went with that brand is that it's what the RAAF uses to wash down aircraft & such (not sure what the Fleet Air Arm or Army uses).