Pressure Washer buying advice

[TheMan419]

So I am wanting to get a pressure washer.

First and foremost it MUST be electric. I don't want another gas engine to maintain. Hot water not necessary.

Initial intended use:

Power wash horse blankets before they go into washing machine
Power wash equipment such as tiller, brush hog, tractor to clean them off
Power wash deck in advance of refreshing the stain
Clean PVC fence in front of house - it has mold growing on it
Clean sidewalk and other concrete areas

I am sure I will have other tasks that use the thing.

I am interested in one that will last at least 5 years before I need to replace it.

Any thoughts on a brand/model? Or is a HF cheapie and replacement every 2 years the way to go?

 

[RalphVa]

Have had something called the Black Max or Black Cat or something similar for 2 or 3 years. Cannot see needing to go with a gasoline powered one.

Works great.

Ralph

 

[bunyip]

have a ryobi 36v as we use it remotely and it works well, one battery lasts for over 30 minutes and it can take two batteries, we use the 5ah.
did not want more fuel to carry around.

 

[TheMan419]

have a ryobi 36v as we use it remotely and it works well, one battery lasts for over 30 minutes and it can take two batteries, we use the 5ah.
did not want more fuel to carry around.

Sadly only available down under. Maybe I can convince SWMBO that we need one so badly we have to come visit? I see you have 6 horses so that will be an enticement for her....

 

[LittleBill21]

they make ryobi in several different electric sizes, i had a HF and the pump died because i didn't oil it, i never had to with my other units. i now have an electric ryobi and its much nicer then the HF model

 

[Mendonsy]

If you are planning to use it a lot then look into a commercial grade unit such as Landa. Check around to see what dealers are available nearby for service in case you need it.

 

[bunyip]

Sadly only available down under. Maybe I can convince SWMBO that we need one so badly we have to come visit? I see you have 6 horses so that will be an enticement for her....

If you do visit you are welcome to a couple as souvenirs.......

 

[shooterdon]

I bought the cheap electric one at Menards and it was next to useless.

I gave up on getting one. Every unit that is affordable has poor reviews. But I will follow this thread and hopefully something is out there.

 

[RNeumann]

they make ryobi in several different electric sizes, i had a HF and the pump died because i didn't oil it, i never had to with my other units. i now have an electric ryobi and its much nicer then the HF model

Ryobi has been popular here too. Fairly cheap and easy to move around. The small one is all I’ve used.

 

[zski128]

So far so good with this model I just picked up. Only used it once so far.

https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Joe-SPX3...0_QL65&keywords=sun+joe+pressure+washer&psc=1

 

[HillStreet]

I bought an electric one from HF 3 years ago, it is a Portland brand and it was about $89. Good unit, wash my tractors and mowers and UTV. Stripped and washed the deck (400 sf) twice. No issues. This replaced two gasoline powered units that were little used and gummed up.

 

[shooterdon]

So far so good with this model I just picked up. Only used it once so far.

https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Joe-SPX3...0_QL65&keywords=sun+joe+pressure+washer&psc=1

Good luck. I looked at getting it and 9% of reviews were 1 Star.

 

[4570Man]

Good luck. I looked at getting it and 9% of reviews were 1 Star.

It averaged 4 star which isn’t that bad. A lot of the one star ratings said the hose fitting leaked or broke off and that is apparently fixable by upgrading to a brass one. I also learned you aren’t supposed to use it with an extension cord. Understandable since it’s rated to pull 14.5 amps and very few homeowner grade cords are rated for that. I’d guess a fair amount of the burning up reviews were caused by that. And you’re buying a $150 dollar homeowner grade pressure washer not a $1000 or more pro grade one.

 

[EarPlug]

Been through a couple of the big box ones. Bought this one and really like it. Does all I could ask for Yard Force YF2200BL 2200 PSI Electric - Cold Water Pressure Washer

Great customer support from this company.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I've been using this Karcher, and 2 of my Jeep buddies also bought this model after using mine. Aside from knocking it over and busting the plastic house quick disconnect.... And buying a brass version from Rural King... No issues. I put hard hours on it, after I go out with the Jeep I'll normally spend 2 10 to 12 hour days running this machine. I clean the floor plan, axles, transmission, engine, body and soft top. Sometimes I pull my seats and carpet and outside wash those as well.

Man, if I don't have at least a few hundred hours on this thing.... Oh, and in the winter when it's 5 degrees F outside I'll run straight hot to it and meet the snow, ice and salt off of my vehicles.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
Initial intended use:

Power wash horse blankets before they go into washing machine
Power wash equipment such as tiller, brush hog, tractor to clean them off
Power wash deck in advance of refreshing the stain
Clean PVC fence in front of house - it has mold growing on it

I think all that can be done with 2000PSI or less.

Clean sidewalk and other concrete areas
<snip>

Concrete requires more.
I've 2 working pressure washers, a Sun Joe electric that does about 1,740 PSI and Troy-Bilt that does 3,100 PSI. I've also an older Northern Tools that did about 3,500 PSI, not working.
The Sun Joe does fine for the lighter tasks, but this summer I had to clean a 20x40 concrete pad that had a THICK build up of algae. With the narrowest nozzle on the Sun-Joe I could barely cut through the mess. I got the Troy-Bilt and I could cut about an 8" swath. It was like the difference between my 19" 125CC push lawnmower and my 5' bush hog on my 50HP Kubota.

So if you need to do concrete get more power.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I think all that can be done with 2000PSI or less.

Concrete requires more.
I've 2 working pressure washers, a Sun Joe electric that does about 1,740 PSI and Troy-Bilt that does 3,100 PSI. I've also an older Northern Tools that did about 3,500 PSI, not working.
The Sun Joe does fine for the lighter tasks, but this summer I had to clean a 20x40 concrete pad that had a THICK build up of algae. With the narrowest nozzle on the Sun-Joe I could barely cut through the mess. I got the Troy-Bilt and I could cut about an 8" swath. It was like the difference between my 19" 125CC push lawnmower and my 5' bush hog on my 50HP Kubota.

So if you need to do concrete get more power.

My father in laws Honda has engine powered 3500 psi is like you are saying... He can rip a 8 or 10 inch wide swath while my machine is doing 3" wide. Those bigger machines are impressive!

The difference is that he can also clean the paint from your frame, cut into concrete and do significant damage to things while I can safely clean things that I do not want to damage.

I like his machine.... But it is dangerous and he has "done me the favor" if cleaning my Kubota and accidentally blown the grey paint from my frame and rear axle in places.

Please... No more favors! I'll clean it myself when I haul it back home.

 

[mjarrels]

When buying a electric pressure washer, read the fine print. I have a $500.00 plus from northern tool. It requires a dedicated 15 amp outlet (I don't have one) and a hose bib flow of 2 GPM (I don't have it).

mark

 

[Rock Crawler]

When buying a electric pressure washer, read the fine print. I have a $500.00 plus from northern tool. It requires a dedicated 15 amp outlet (I don't have one) and a hose bib flow of 2 GPM (I don't have it).

mark

I can run the Karcher from a cheap Craftsman overhead reel extension cord, and the flow is 1.4 gallon per minute... So this one can run easily under even the most restrictive conditions. And the motor is water cooled by your water supply, do running for hours never allowed it to build heat.

I'm extremely happy with the thing. It's a trooper.

 

[Gary Fowler]

My father in laws Honda has engine powered 3500 psi is like you are saying... He can rip a 8 or 10 inch wide swath while my machine is doing 3" wide. Those bigger machines are impressive!

The difference is that he can also clean the paint from your frame, cut into concrete and do significant damage to things while I can safely clean things that I do not want to damage.

I like his machine.... But it is dangerous and he has "done me the favor" if cleaning my Kubota and accidentally blown the grey paint from my frame and rear axle in places.

Please... No more favors! I'll clean it myself when I haul it back home.

When buying a high pressure (above 2500 PSI) washer, be sure that is has a regulator that can adjust the pressure. This allows you to use full pressure when needed but throttle it back to keep from cutting the concrete or removing the paint, etc.
In my experience with pressure washing concrete, 2500 PSI is the minimum required and with that you get only about a 2" wide swath if the concrete is really badly stained. I would prefer something above 3000 and if my 18 year old gas driven 2500PSI one fails that is what I am replacing it with. I always run the carb dry when finished and then pull the rope starter several times to pump all the water out of the pump so it doesn't freeze and burst the pump.