Recommend A Pressure Washer?

[Ches]

I've been reading on various forums how many of you guys
use a pressure washer for numerous tasks (i.e. washing
the tractor, washing implements, etc.). I am convinced
I need to purchase one, but know very little about them,
in terms of what to look for (psi, gpm, different types
of pumps, safety features, etc.). Could use some advice
regarding what to look for, and maybe even brands and
models. I'm hoping I could get a good one for
household/general utility use for $500 give or take a
little. Thanks,

Ches

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

Ches,

Take a look in Harbor Freight, they have a comparision page for a whole bunch of pressure washers. I have used the 13hp Honda pressure washer and it is a fine machine, drill holes in asphalt if you want.($1200) Your arms will fall off at full flow in about an hour. I purchased a 5hp Honda at Costco for $350 (member sale) currently $399. It's the right size for me. I don't have a big concrete drive way, but I do have a lot of decks, and it works just fine. Does a good job on the tractors and the decks and is easy to run.
It does not have any pressure control.

 

[Thomas]

Ches,
I purchase my pressure washer at Sears years ago.
Its 5hp adjustable up to 2100 psi,does a great job for my needs..tractors..attachments..barn & house etc..

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[M. Sullivan]

Have had a model from Harbor Freight labeled Pacific Hydrostar for 7 years. It's an electric 1500 psi and 2 gpm and cost $200-250--not a single problem. Haven't seen it offered for 3 years (wanted to get my dad one). Also, couldn't find the brand available on numerous web searches. Thinking it is likely still around, just labeled differently. Would appreciate any leads.

That said, would never buy another gas one. Convenience of the electric can't be beat. Looks like a good one (brass valves, 15A+ motor, etc.) runs about $500 from Harbor Freight or Northern Tool. Have been told to look for CAT pumps for best reliability. If larger unit (gas) is required focus on Honda engines--miles ahead from what I've learned.

Mine has payed for itself many times over for car (and tractor!) washes.

 

[fgable]

I got an 1100 psi, electric Karcher at Home Depot for $100. I love this thing. Clean concrete, wood, lawn furniture, toys, tractors, you name it. I was not sure if 1100psi would be strong enough. It is. The spray pattern is only 1 inch wide, so it takes a while to clean stuff. My brother has a large gas 2000+ psi model. It damages his wood deck if he is not careful. I also think Harbor Freight is kind og expensive.
Good luck

 

[Gem99ultra]

Simpson brand is the best brand out there. A 3100psi gas powered unit for well under $500 is common. They come with hose and gun. Sold by most big box stores like Home Depot with free delivery.

 

[AirOpsMgr]

Regardless of brand, if going gas, look for a Honda engine and a triplex plunger pump (Cat, AAA, etc). A little more maintenance changing out pump oil but much longer pump life.

Like tractors, buying a bit more PSI than you need is a good idea. I've never heard anyone skilled with a pressure washer & proper tip usage ever complain they had too much pressure

 

[dodge man]

I have a Simpson also with a Honda engine. It’s a nice one, the kind where you can change the tips. I got it at Home Depot or Menards as I recall probably over 10 years ago. It’s one of those things it’s probably worth spending a little more money on.

 

[AirOpsMgr]

I have a Simpson also with a Honda engine. It’s a nice one, the kind where you can change the tips. I got it at Home Depot or Menards as I recall probably over 10 years ago. It’s one of those things it’s probably worth spending a little more money on.

Yup, belive Simpson makes all the Dewalt pressure washers for B&D as well.

 

[RandyT]

Yup, belive Simpson makes all the Dewalt pressure washers for B&D as well.

Simpson or their parent company FNA Group make the Dewalt, Simpson and I think a couple other brands. They also own and manufacture AAA pumps.

Been a Service center for FNA for about 10 years so I see a few warranties of their washers every year. Or pump failures are repaired by warranty pump replacement shipped from the headquarters in northern IL.

 

[WinterDeere]

I have a little gas-powered 2500 psi 7 hp unit from Excel, with a Devilbiss pump and Briggs engine. It was ideal when I had a little 1/4 acre lot with a deck and patio on a smaller house, used it every spring for cleaning mold off the siding, cleaning the deck and patio.

Then I upgraded to a place with about 3000 sq.ft. of patios, another 1000 sq.ft. of deck, and miles of walls and windows. It's a bit small for the job now, but won't die, so I'm still using it after almost 25 years.

What I've learned, size the tool to the job. Properly maintained and in the low-hours hands of most homeowners, these things are going to last damn near forever. I've replaced a hose, and just this year finally had to replace short impulse hose attached to the pump, but it's just been oil changes and air filters beyond that.

Based on the minimal usage you describe, I'd probably go electric. They're not fantastic, I'd never want to wash a large patio with an electric, but they might just suit your needs best. Infrequent use is the enemy of most gasoline-powered implements.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I have a Greenworks electric 3000psi unit that I love.

 

[kozal01]

Holy thread revival! I too have a 3400 PSI Simpson that works very well, has the GC Honda engine on it. I will say the fist one I bought blew up immediately although I dont blame Simpson for that, I blame Honda. Either way the replacement has been great for several years now.

 

[WinterDeere]

In all this stuff, look at flow rate vs. pressure, not just static pressure. 3000 PSI is useless if it's only achieved at 1 GPM.

If you want to run a surface cleaner, you're automatically looking at something that can maintain pressure (eg. > 2500 PSI) at 2.5+ GPM. That takes horsepower, no matter how you slice it.

If OP only ever intends to use narrow fan nozzles or maybe an occasional turbo nozzle, then flow requirement is not quite as high.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

My Greenworks is 2gpm, and the surface cleaner works very well on our concrete sidewalks and patio. Not sure it's reaching 3000psi at that flow, but it does a heck of a good job

 

[WinterDeere]

My Greenworks is 2gpm, and the surface cleaner works very well on our concrete sidewalks and patio. Not sure it's reaching 3000psi at that flow, but it does a heck of a good job

Yeah, mine is a bit marginal for surface cleaner work, as well. I found a little 12" surface cleaner that works on 1.2 GPM, and it's slower than I'd like, but it does the job without causing my little 7 hp machine to drop pressure.

The Greenworks is actually only 1.1 GPM at 3000 PSI. They advertise it as "2 GPM", but it can only develop 100 PSI at that flow rate. I'm not knocking it, my machine is wimpy too, just making sure others understand that most of these manufacturers are a little deceptive in how they badge these things. Greenworks is actually better than most of the legacy makers, who really hide their specs.

In any case, if using that machine with a surface cleaner, you'd want to find a surface cleaner that has a flow rate near 1.1 GPM, not much more. That's probably fine for most homeowners, unless you have a ton of patio that you're cleaning every year.

3000 PSI 2.0 GPM Cold Water Electric Pressure Washer | Greenworks Tools

The Greenworks Pro 3000-PSI Pressure Washer is the most powerful electric pressure washer available with 3000-PSI at 1.1 GPM and 2.0 GPM at 100-PSI. Shop now!

www.greenworkstools.com

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Yeah, I use the surface cleaner that they sell specially for the unit.

 

[Hughman]

Just finished using mine... Ridgid 3000 psi, 2.6 gpm, Subaru 6hp motor. It's a beast.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have several but the $70 cheapie electric I find great for equipment clean up.

For washing down tennis courts and such a gas 4000 psi gets the job done.

Gas Pressure washers can be very loud so if funds available quiet is good plus hearing protection a must.

A 4000 psi can be softened by changing tips or backing away…

The local boys and girls club was hoping to get the pool usable and I loaned my 3000 psi Honda unit to them for a weekend and did a very good job…

 

[mapper]

Simpson brand is the best brand out there. A 3100psi gas powered unit for well under $500 is common. They come with hose and gun. Sold by most big box stores like Home Depot with free delivery.

Picked up a 3100 psi Honda engined Simpson a few years ago at TSC's black Friday sale. Been a reliable good machine, think I paid less than $200 for it.
The only black Friday sale I ever went to, about 4 miles from me.