Help Me Choose A Pressure Washer

[JDon99]

After borrowing my Dad's small(1500 psi/2gpm) pressure washer, I have realized how much I need one. I'd really like to step up to a small "commercial" grade unit. Are there any specific ones to look at? I was considering the Dewalt 3400 at HD.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I have a belt drive 4 gpm. It will spoil you. Gpm are the big thing. If you get direct drive, make sure it's a cat pump or other common one. Cats are blue. I'd search CL for a used commercial.

Brett

 

[F33Tony]

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Simpson-PS4240S-Pressure-Washer/p8286.html

I've had this one for 4 years and abused the **** out of it and it still works as good as it did the day it came out of the crate.

 

[McKay]

Agreed. Go with something in the 4 gpm+. If you want to use it to say wash driveways, house, etc. (Any large surface project) you want GPM as well. Trying to wash a house or driveway with a 3000-3500 psi 2Gal unit is painfully slow. If you want to just wash small items then not so much of a big deal.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Here is mine, it a Lavor which puts out a ton of pressure. I bought it second hand from the wife's brother when I was cleaning the engine bay on my 89 Chevy pick up (engine removed) He forgot to mention there was a pin hole in the hose. I'm planning on changing it out for a 20+ foot one

 

[chadster1]

After borrowing my Dad's small(1500 psi/2gpm) pressure washer, I have realized how much I need one. I'd really like to step up to a small "commercial" grade unit. Are there any specific ones to look at? I was considering the Dewalt 3400 at HD.

Northern Tool has some good ones. Like others have said, the biggest ting you want to look at is the type of pump. CAT pumps are the best but they are also expensive. I have one with a Comet pump powered by a Honda motor. As long as there are parts available for the pump on the pressure washer you want to buy, then odds are, its a good pump.

 

[smiffy]

Also look at the nozzles we have a medium karcher at work with some fancy spinny nozle on in that makes cleaning a lot quicker and easier than larger models from the same brand without that I have used, and if ur looking at a small comercial one would it be worth looking for one with the ability to steam aswell even better than just pressure

 

[theoldwizard1]

Agreed. Go with something in the 4 gpm+. If you want to use it to say wash driveways, house, etc. (Any large surface project) you want GPM as well. Trying to wash a house or driveway with a 3000-3500 psi 2Gal unit is painfully slow. If you want to just wash small items then not so much of a big deal.

4+ GPM is probably overkill for most homeowners who are only going to use it a few times a year. 2.0 GPM is the absolute minimum. 2.5-3.5 is probably the sweet spot for DIYers.

The pump brand (CAT, Comet, AR) is more important than the motor. They all will require new gasket/O-rings eventually.

 

[jdcompman]

Northern Tool has some good ones. Like others have said, the biggest ting you want to look at is the type of pump. CAT pumps are the best but they are also expensive. I have one with a Comet pump powered by a Honda motor. As long as there are parts available for the pump on the pressure washer you want to buy, then odds are, its a good pump.

+1 I couldn't have said it better. IMO the Northern Tool ones with the GX Honda engines and Comet pumps are a great deal. The carts and assembly is also done over in Minnesota!