Washing my tractor. Any pressure washer experts?

[1930]

I've got 13 hrs on it now but it looks like 30.

I need to get it washed, I don't have water on site, I'm working on getting something set up but don't want to half hazardly damage my equipment cause I took chances.

I've been doing a lot of research online, in my opinion people do alot of things that maybe they can get away with for a while.

I have a 275 gallon ibc tote, I also have a fairly high dollar 4gpm pressure washer.

Some people say if I elevate the ibc tote I can feed washer off gravity........ I am not confident that doing this will not eventually burn out my pressure washer pump.

I know there is a gpm number I need to consider but there is a second number that is important as well and I think that is pressure at the pump.

If I need to buy a small pump for the tote ( cause I decide not to elevate it) than I'm ok with that but I don't know what size pump I can minimally get away with.

Can anyone here shed some light?

 

[ovrszd]

I don't think you can get by doing that. Especially with the volume of your washer. You'll know if it's cavitating by a slight "buzz" feeling when holding the wand.

I was recently having problems with a pressure regulator. Only had 25 psi. At the same time I connected using an old hose on a reel. The hose was partially collapsed on the spool. The pressure was too low to overcome that and have good flow. I immediately noticed there was a problem by that buzz in the wand. Shut down and used a different hose with no problem.

Can't remember for sure but believe my washer is around 3K psi and 2.5 gpm.

 

[Citydude]

Have you measured the flow rate out of your tote while elevated?

 

[/pine]

...I need to get it washed...

Until you get a water supply...
You could use a pail of water and a sponge...use liquid dish soap if it's greasy...

 

[KennyG]

Tried pressure washing from a barrel. Didn't work at all for me.

 

[1930]

I don't think you can get by doing that. Especially with the volume of your washer. You'll know if it's cavitating by a slight "buzz" feeling when holding the wand.

I was recently having problems with a pressure regulator. Only had 25 psi. At the same time I connected using an old hose on a reel. The hose was partially collapsed on the spool. The pressure was too low to overcome that and have good flow. I immediately noticed there was a problem by that buzz in the wand. Shut down and used a different hose with no problem.

Can't remember for sure but believe my washer is around 3K psi and 2.5 gpm.

I did not know that about the buzzing, I've felt that before with this pressure washer, I did not know that was what I was feeling. Thanks

Have you measured the flow rate out of your tote while elevated?

No, someone on another forum told me if I elevated it 8 feet ( put it on top of my storage container ) it would mean I'd be flowing 4 gpm. I can't say if that a true fact

Until you get a water supply...
You could use a pail of water and a sponge...use liquid dish soap if it's greasy...

I understand, I'm gonna get a water supply going. I need water on site regardless

Tried pressure washing from a barrel. Didn't work at all for me.

. Tried that yesterday with an old electric p.w we have here at the shop, it worked fine

 

[ovrszd]

The elevation of your container has very little to do with flow rate. Flow rate is first determined by size and restriction of transferring material used. Then it can be increased by adding psi.

2.31 ft of elevation creates 1 psi. So,,, if your hose and fittings don't restrict the flow in any way, 8ft of elevation would get you 3.46 psi. 3.46 psi thru a garden hose isn't going to produce much flow rate.

A healthy young man could probably produce more when relieving himself.

 

[1930]

The elevation of your container has very little to do with flow rate. Flow rate is first determined by size and restriction of transferring material used. Then it can be increased by adding psi.

2.31 ft of elevation creates 1 psi. So,,, if your hose and fittings don't restrict the flow in any way, 8ft of elevation would get you 3.46 psi. 3.46 psi thru a garden hose isn't going to produce much flow rate.

A healthy young man could probably produce more when relieving himself.

And this is why I ask questions, lots of questions. Thanks

 

[ovrszd]

And this is why I ask questions, lots of questions. Thanks

Me too.

 

[oosik]

Neighbor washed his brand new Mahindra with his pressure washer. Set too high. Blew many stickers off one side before he turned it down. Actually makes the tractor look better. All those safety stickers made it look like a fugitive from a carnival side show.