Pressure washer build

jon1996 · Apr 5, 2010

I am in the process of building a pressure washer trailer, I have a GX340 honda with a 1" shaft and was wondering what a good belt drive pump would be, Also what size pulleys should I run to get the best performance, I will be pulling from a tank most of the time that is why I am going with a belt instead of direct drive, any tips from previous builders
Jon

ampa · Apr 5, 2010

jon1996 said:
I am in the process of building a pressure washer trailer, I have a GX340 honda with a 1" shaft and was wondering what a good belt drive pump would be, Also what size pulleys should I run to get the best performance, I will be pulling from a tank most of the time that is why I am going with a belt instead of direct drive, any tips from previous builders
Jon

I would go direct drive, belts always slip,just my 2 cents again...........Ampa

brokenot · Apr 7, 2010

How you choose to drive the pump will be largely determined by the pump you choose for your project. Many of the larger belt-driven pressure washers built by the manufacturers chose the belt-drive arrangement partially due to the difference between the rpm the engine is designed to run at, and the pump manufacturer's rpm recommendations. If you purchase a pump that the manufacturer recommends turning at 2000 rpm, and its rated psi and flow require a 10 hp engine, (for example), then powering it with an engine that's rated at 10 hp @ 3600 rpm probably won't get the job done. The engine won't likely produce the needed power if you directly-couple it and intend to only run it at 2000 rpm to match the pump's rpm spec.

On the other hand, that same 10 hp engine can be run at its hp-rated rpm, and the pump can be run at its rated rpm as well, by just juggling pulley sizes.

Belts do have their advantages. On the 11 and 13 hp pressure washers we have at work, belt life has never been an issue. They have double-row pulleys that allow for long belt life, and also don't require tensioning the belts like a guitar string.

jon1996 · Apr 7, 2010

thanks for the info, still on the fence, a direct drive will be cheaper but I am afraid it will not pull from my tank

portcity · Apr 15, 2010

Buy a belt drive cat pump. They are easy to rebuild and parts are available everywhere. We use these to build pressure pumps for home snow machines. You can buy a used cat pump off ebay for 50-150. They last forever. I have a cat 290 that cost $10 for new seals(paid 77), and a cat 5cp2150 almost new needed a new crank bearing that cost $8 at local bearing company(pump was 140). Pair one of those with a unloader 60, pulley for 10-15, and a motor <200 and youve got a commercial grade pump for less then about $400. You can look at cats website to see pulley sizes for the volume desired. There are other quailty pumps, like general, comet, ar but cats have nine lives

payton · Apr 15, 2010

portcity said:
Buy a belt drive cat pump. They are easy to rebuild and parts are available everywhere. We use these to build pressure pumps for home snow machines. You can buy a used cat pump off ebay for 50-150. They last forever. I have a cat 290 that cost $10 for new seals(paid 77), and a cat 5cp2150 almost new needed a new crank bearing that cost $8 at local bearing company(pump was 140). Pair one of those with a unloader 60, pulley for 10-15, and a motor <200 and youve got a commercial grade pump for less then about $400. You can look at cats website to see pulley sizes for the pressure desired. For instance, I run at 5gpm at 800psi. I can go higher on the psi by changing pulley size, but its not needed for snow production(volume is more important). There are other quailty pumps, like general, comet, ar but cats have nine lives

I have also build my own pressure washer for making snow. I got a new TEEL 4gpm pump of ebay and used a motor i had. port city i think you are confused, you change the gpm with pulley sizes and pressure with the nozzle you use.

I would go the diy route for something this simple.

Payton