Pressure washing
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Mrwurm
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I had a thundergun and it was pretty good for rinsing off loose mud and light cleaning. It has very wide fan spray and is not adjustable. I sold mine and bought a power washer, there is no comparison.
2400 psi X 2.3gpm = 5,520 impact force
90 psi X 8gpm = 720 impact force
(8gpm is guess of house flow rate)
2400 psi X 2.3gpm = 5,520 impact force
90 psi X 8gpm = 720 impact force
(8gpm is guess of house flow rate)
TresCrows
Elite Member
Let me just clue you in on something I have learned about pressure washers. Good ones are expensive. Get the biggest size you can. Get a Honda engine. Get a CAT pump. I don't want to hear how Briggs are just as good. I have years of Briggs experience and I am telling you--get the Honda. You need at least 6-7 horses, preferably 8 horses for general cleaning etc.
Take care of it, put the antifreeze in before winter etc and it will serve you well. The engines on those things work really hard--all the time. If you buy a cheap one you will be buying another very soon. J
Take care of it, put the antifreeze in before winter etc and it will serve you well. The engines on those things work really hard--all the time. If you buy a cheap one you will be buying another very soon. J
Mrwurm
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Ok, a couple points in response to Trescrows. Honda makes great engines, I have one on my power washer, but it should be noted that Honda has jumped on the bandwagon and now makes light duty engines to compete with Brigs and Tecumseh. Honda may be best, but the best Brigs is better than the light duty (Home Depot) Honda.
Also, I've heard that General and Cat pumps are the best, but I can only attest to the fact that my Comet pump is strong and works well. I remove four bolts and take my pump indoors during the winter. I used to spend a half hour fiddling with anti-freeze, now I spend 3 minutes taking out bolts.
For my recommendation.... For car washing, cleaning siding, rinsing the drive way... Get a home duty model (5hp 2 gpm).
For cleaning mower decks, removing stain from decks.... Try a 3000 psi model with at least 8 hp.
Also, I've heard that General and Cat pumps are the best, but I can only attest to the fact that my Comet pump is strong and works well. I remove four bolts and take my pump indoors during the winter. I used to spend a half hour fiddling with anti-freeze, now I spend 3 minutes taking out bolts.
For my recommendation.... For car washing, cleaning siding, rinsing the drive way... Get a home duty model (5hp 2 gpm).
For cleaning mower decks, removing stain from decks.... Try a 3000 psi model with at least 8 hp.
EastTexFrank
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This is interesting because I was just starting to look into pressure washers. I've used an electric Karcher power washer for years and it's always met my needs but now, with more heavy duty cleaning to do, I need a bigger one. I was looking in the Northern Tool catalogue at one with 2.5 gpm at 2600 psi, Comet pump and Honda 5 hp GC engine. I wouldn't be using it a whole lot but when I do, I need more cleaning power than I have a present. Are you guys saying that I wouldn't be happy with it and that I need to look at something even bigger with at least the 8 hp Honda GX engine remembering that it would be approximately twice the cost? Sorry I can't be more explicit but I'll be using it for general cleaning around the place and that I don't have any need to etch concrete or decking.
Sorry KNotMe, I didn't mean to highjack your thread but I'm asking the same questions and looking for the same answers.
Sorry KNotMe, I didn't mean to highjack your thread but I'm asking the same questions and looking for the same answers.
I think mine has a comet pump because it looks like yours, but I don't really know -- maybe they all look alike. Mine is around 4,000 psi, 3.5 gpm, or else it's 3,500 psi, 4 gpm -- it's been a while, and I'm having a Senior Moment. It has a 13HP Honda. I used it to power a wet sand blaster, which is pretty neat. At full power, it will strip paint. It can be throttled back and be as gentle as you like. Bigger is better.
Your calculation is correct -- the effective rating of any power washer is determined by multiplying the psi times the gpm. So, even though I can't remember which combination of numbers is correct for my washer, the rating is 14,000 either way.
Your calculation is correct -- the effective rating of any power washer is determined by multiplying the psi times the gpm. So, even though I can't remember which combination of numbers is correct for my washer, the rating is 14,000 either way.
Ole_Hickory
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That sounds a lot like my pressure washer it has a comet pump and is belt driven,did you buy yours in Florida?Thats where mine came from.
USA Pressure Systems INC.
USA Pressure Systems INC.
TresCrows
Elite Member
My washer has the 6.5 horse Briggs Inteck Pro with a General Pump. It is 2500 PSI at 3 GPM. You can increase GPM by reducing the pressure with the output valve. I run mine at about 1500 PSI which I figure puts out about 5 GPM.
I take good care of it and put the anti-freeze in it and bla-bla. The pump exploded this Spring. I bought another, now the engine is knocking /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. Now I got a new pump and a busted engine. So out I go to get another engine since this one is full of chunks of metal. So now I got a new Briggs and a new General pump. For this I could have gotten a nice Honda with the industrial engine and CAT pump. General and Comet pumps in the top line units are better than what you will find in a 5 horse 2 GPM unit. Believe me or not--it is your money.
If you are cleaning tractors, muddy trucks, bikes, driveways etc you will find you need a strong washer with a good flow rate. You will also find you need to run it for long periods of time. Those things work hard--real hard.
Good luck with the cheapie, oh, the unit I have was not a cheapie, but for another 100 dollars I could have gotten a much better unit /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. Sometimes the cheapest deal is not the best deal, some people take a lifetime to learn that and will go to any expense to save a dollar. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. J
I take good care of it and put the anti-freeze in it and bla-bla. The pump exploded this Spring. I bought another, now the engine is knocking /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. Now I got a new pump and a busted engine. So out I go to get another engine since this one is full of chunks of metal. So now I got a new Briggs and a new General pump. For this I could have gotten a nice Honda with the industrial engine and CAT pump. General and Comet pumps in the top line units are better than what you will find in a 5 horse 2 GPM unit. Believe me or not--it is your money.
If you are cleaning tractors, muddy trucks, bikes, driveways etc you will find you need a strong washer with a good flow rate. You will also find you need to run it for long periods of time. Those things work hard--real hard.
Good luck with the cheapie, oh, the unit I have was not a cheapie, but for another 100 dollars I could have gotten a much better unit /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. Sometimes the cheapest deal is not the best deal, some people take a lifetime to learn that and will go to any expense to save a dollar. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. J
polecat
Platinum Member
ok okeedon!!!
but u r sposed to b one of the leaders round here!!!how bout some pics so that we'll know what yer s looks like!!!!
git the hona engine!!!!if buying new of course!!!! i'll show u guys a pic of my beater!!! very old...and have literally put 1000's of hours on her 3500psi body...needs to b rebuilt!!the engind that is and will show u how to do that 2!!!!!!
the frame is literally shaken apart!!!!engine startde knockin bad when doing our fall cleanup...the wool throw rugs and all!!!so will have to rebuild her but fortunately is an old steel 11hp /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifsleeved engine!!!
but u r sposed to b one of the leaders round here!!!how bout some pics so that we'll know what yer s looks like!!!!
git the hona engine!!!!if buying new of course!!!! i'll show u guys a pic of my beater!!! very old...and have literally put 1000's of hours on her 3500psi body...needs to b rebuilt!!the engind that is and will show u how to do that 2!!!!!!
the frame is literally shaken apart!!!!engine startde knockin bad when doing our fall cleanup...the wool throw rugs and all!!!so will have to rebuild her but fortunately is an old steel 11hp /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifsleeved engine!!!
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That sounds a lot like my pressure washer it has a comet pump and is belt driven,did you buy yours in Florida?Thats where mine came from.
USA Pressure Systems INC. )</font>
Yep, that's it. Thanks for the link-- satisfies Polecat's request for a picture. USA Pressure Washers was located in the airport industrial park in Fort Pierce, about 45 miles South of Palm Bay, when I bought mine. Port St. Lucie is only 10 miles from that airport, so I just drove up there, told them what I wanted, and they built it. I knew they had moved to another facility several years ago, but I didn't know where until you posted the link.
I don't have a lot of luck with small gas engines, even Hondas, so what I really wanted was a washer with an electric motor. At that time, we used it for several hours a day, and always in the same location. The lower noise level would have been nice, too. The problem was that a washer of that size would, according to the builders, require a 10 HP motor, which would have been 3 phase -- and we didn't have 3 phase available, nor was I willing to buy a converter. So, I took it with the 13 HP Honda. Despite my fears, the only problems we have had are with the uinloader valve (almost annually) and some seals letting water get into the oil in the pump. 14 years and many, many hours of operation later, the Honda still starts on the first or second pull.
I love it. Just the other day, I brought it home, dialed back the pressure a bit, and used it to blast pine needles out of the overhead pool screen. Fortunately, our neighbor has removed the pine trees, so that's the last time I may have to do that! He never had any sympathy about the needles until he put up his own pool screen last year... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
USA Pressure Systems INC. )</font>
Yep, that's it. Thanks for the link-- satisfies Polecat's request for a picture. USA Pressure Washers was located in the airport industrial park in Fort Pierce, about 45 miles South of Palm Bay, when I bought mine. Port St. Lucie is only 10 miles from that airport, so I just drove up there, told them what I wanted, and they built it. I knew they had moved to another facility several years ago, but I didn't know where until you posted the link.
I don't have a lot of luck with small gas engines, even Hondas, so what I really wanted was a washer with an electric motor. At that time, we used it for several hours a day, and always in the same location. The lower noise level would have been nice, too. The problem was that a washer of that size would, according to the builders, require a 10 HP motor, which would have been 3 phase -- and we didn't have 3 phase available, nor was I willing to buy a converter. So, I took it with the 13 HP Honda. Despite my fears, the only problems we have had are with the uinloader valve (almost annually) and some seals letting water get into the oil in the pump. 14 years and many, many hours of operation later, the Honda still starts on the first or second pull.
I love it. Just the other day, I brought it home, dialed back the pressure a bit, and used it to blast pine needles out of the overhead pool screen. Fortunately, our neighbor has removed the pine trees, so that's the last time I may have to do that! He never had any sympathy about the needles until he put up his own pool screen last year... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
<font color="blue"> but u r sposed to b one of the leaders round here!!! </font>
Crikey! No one told me! I better get my act together and start behaving! A leader? Heck, whenever I read those posts about people messing up the forum, I figure they're talking about me! They motivate me to stay on the straight and narrow for at least 4 hours or so, then I go off thread-hi-jackin' again, just like this post!
Crikey! No one told me! I better get my act together and start behaving! A leader? Heck, whenever I read those posts about people messing up the forum, I figure they're talking about me! They motivate me to stay on the straight and narrow for at least 4 hours or so, then I go off thread-hi-jackin' again, just like this post!
EastTexFrank
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> Sometimes the cheapest deal is not the best deal, some people take a lifetime to learn that and will go to any expense to save a dollar. </font> )</font>
Hey TresCrows, it's not easy being Scottish. It's a genetic thing as far as money is concerned. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
My usual philosophy as far as buying tools and equipment is concerned is that if it's something I'm going to use a lot - I buy the best I can afford - but if it's something that is only going to be used a couple of times a year, I tend to buy a cheaper model. If I only use it a couple of times a year, I think that even a cheaper model should start and run 40 or fifty times before it craters but I DO like things to start and run.
I think I'll take your advice this time though and move up to one of their smaller commercial models with the Honda "GX" engine and CAT pump.
Thanks guys for the advice.
Hey TresCrows, it's not easy being Scottish. It's a genetic thing as far as money is concerned. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
My usual philosophy as far as buying tools and equipment is concerned is that if it's something I'm going to use a lot - I buy the best I can afford - but if it's something that is only going to be used a couple of times a year, I tend to buy a cheaper model. If I only use it a couple of times a year, I think that even a cheaper model should start and run 40 or fifty times before it craters but I DO like things to start and run.
I think I'll take your advice this time though and move up to one of their smaller commercial models with the Honda "GX" engine and CAT pump.
Thanks guys for the advice.
polecat
Platinum Member
ok heres a pic of my old beater...had it for bout 6 yrs now and it's paid 4 itself a hundred x pressure washin cement drives down in alabama....pid 300 4 it and got it used....buy high quality used....1/2 priceusually..jist start the engine and try it out b4 u buy it..also check the oil..handa is bar far the best engine i've ever owned but the briggs and tecumseh's r good ol stand bys..pull engine over slowly to see if its got good compression..if it's been outside u may have 2 take the flywheel/pullstart cowling off and clean the magnets and pickup coil frome the rust..wire brush or wheel on a porta drill works best /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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polecat
Platinum Member
TresCrows
Elite Member
Your pressure washer looks dirty. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
As to the Thundergun vs a pressure washer, never used one so cannot say.
Polecat's unit looks pretty strong, that is a big jump up from the original post, course, we got guys with L class Kubotas on 2 acres so may as well have a 10 horse industrial washer too /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. Why stop halfway, more is better right. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. J
As to the Thundergun vs a pressure washer, never used one so cannot say.
Polecat's unit looks pretty strong, that is a big jump up from the original post, course, we got guys with L class Kubotas on 2 acres so may as well have a 10 horse industrial washer too /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. Why stop halfway, more is better right. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. J
NIXON
Veteran Member
I've been following this post with a lot of interest .
I'm dumb as rocks about pressure washers .
I'd like a machine that can take care of siding and decks mostly . But I'm sure I'd find other uses as well /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I don't want a machine that falls apart in a few years .
I don't mind forking over the money if it buys a quality piece of machinery . Basically I don't want to buy an under sized PW . But I also don't want to buy more than I really need .
Any suggestions as to a reliable make of PW would be very much appreciated . John
I'm dumb as rocks about pressure washers .
I'd like a machine that can take care of siding and decks mostly . But I'm sure I'd find other uses as well /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I don't want a machine that falls apart in a few years .
I don't mind forking over the money if it buys a quality piece of machinery . Basically I don't want to buy an under sized PW . But I also don't want to buy more than I really need .
Any suggestions as to a reliable make of PW would be very much appreciated . John
SnowRidge
Elite Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was looking in the Northern Tool catalogue at one with 2.5 gpm at 2600 psi, Comet pump and Honda 5 hp GC engine. )</font>
I have almost the same thing, but 2,000 psi at 3.0 gpm. Otherwise, it sounds identical.
Mine has been perfect for my needs, and I have had no trouble with it whatsoever. I paid $450. It was on sale for $500, and they had a 10% off offer for opening a charge account. I opened the account, got the discount, and haven't used the account since. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
SnowRidge
I have almost the same thing, but 2,000 psi at 3.0 gpm. Otherwise, it sounds identical.
Mine has been perfect for my needs, and I have had no trouble with it whatsoever. I paid $450. It was on sale for $500, and they had a 10% off offer for opening a charge account. I opened the account, got the discount, and haven't used the account since. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
SnowRidge
