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Pretty good deal on a pressure washer

Joe B.

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Joined
Jan 2, 2007
Messages
2,752
$312.50 (50% off) Snapper 3100 MAX PSI / 2.5 MAX GPM Pressure Washer
+ Free Shipping

I have not seen one at that PSI for that low of a price.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07175264000P
07175264000
 
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fatfillup

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Jan 17, 2009
Messages
10,318
Location
Finksburg, Md
Coming from a guy who sells industrial pressure washers for a living for 26 years, that machine is home owner quality with a very limited life span. You'd be better off to buy a used commercial machine and something that can be repaired than buying a disposal home owner machine. No offense, but its like comparing Chicrap to Snap on.
 

Displaced Hokie

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Sep 19, 2009
Messages
1,778
Location
Western NC
Looks like a solid homeowner unit. Not a super high GPM, but the pressure is awesome. Looks like no fluff stuff on it, all business.
 

Danglerb

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Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
9,736
Location
SoCal
Free shipping is nice, except OOS for shipping, normal price doesn't appear to be $600+, more like around $450.

I kinda wonder about owning one of these. Local CL has guys offering to come out at $25/hr with a pressure washer. Whats going to take more than a couple hours a couple times a year?
 

JD6619A

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Joined
Jun 19, 2009
Messages
255
dont waste your time on that unit, cheaply made, might as well get a honda GC or GX powered unit with a CAT or Comet Pump.
 

CamarosRus

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Joined
May 14, 2009
Messages
1,547
Location
Renton, WA (Seattle)
Fatfillup, Please list some names and model # to look for.........

Pumps to buy, NOT buy.........

minimum GPM for homeowner, to wash concrete drive, power wash, truck undercarriage and frame.

Just your experinced opinion on how to pick up used machine......best bang for
the buck

Thanks for the education.......
 

CamarosRus

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Joined
May 14, 2009
Messages
1,547
Location
Renton, WA (Seattle)
Last week I paid $150 for a low hour used KARSCHER with the HONDA 6.0HP 190cc GC engine and 2650psi / 2.5gpm pump (karscher??).

I've already been told by local shops that the pump is on borrowed time.

I'm planning on buy a new Blue Goodyear Neptune 50' hose that on Craigs List for $60

Can I put a 3.0 Turbo nozzle (what recommended brand) on my KARSCHER gun or do I need/want a new gun/wand ???

Which COMET pump (psi/gpm) should I plan on buying and where, when this one goes belly up ??

Would the COMET pump have adjustable pressure as the KARSCHER 2650psi does not.

OR should I resell what I bought and consider buying ( What brand/model,etc etc) NEW
 
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fatfillup

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Jan 17, 2009
Messages
10,318
Location
Finksburg, Md
STILL looking for advice for my above 12/23/09 questions, ect

Thanks so much

Sorry I didn't see your question before.

I don't deal in the homeowner units so specific model numbers I don't know but can help with some basics.

As far as adjustable pressure, that's in the unloader vavle, not the pump and while most all will be adjustable, I don't recommend adjusting the unloaders as it causes too many problems. Instead, if its a gas engine, just slow the motor down or stand back a little. You can also go with a nozzle with a larger hole and this will lower the pressure.

As far as the turbo nozzle, it depends solely on how its connected to the wand. Most are 1/4 pipe threads but not all. Some are molded into the wand extension and would require a new wand.

As far as the replacement pump, Karcher often has their motors made with a proprietary shaft which will limit replacement choices if not eliminate them.

Pump types, there are 2 basic types. Axial pumps which will be on the low end machines and are not repairable (I've had no luck) and can be identified by a round body.

Crankshaft style pumps are a better choice and can be identified with a rectangular body. The have a crank and rods like a engine.

I will only use Honda motors but beware. There are 2 grades. GX series are the industrial motors and are the best on the market. GC series are the homeowner grade and I don't care for them.

Pump brands (again no specific model numbers) and only crankshaft style.

I like AR for the direct drive pumps, second would be General. Third would be Comet and last would be Cat. Cat industrial pumps are the best made but you will never find an industrial Cat on a machine under $2000. Their lower line is good but their replacement parts make Snap on look cheap.

As far as GPM and pressure, 2500PSI at 3 gpm is good for home owners.

As far as finding a deal on CL, look for a washer with a Honda GX either 6.5, 9, 11 or 13 HP. These motors will outlast 3 or 4 pumps. If you can buy a good motor for $200 or less, you can buy an AR pump for $275 to $375 and have a very nice machine.

Your CL deal on the goodyear hose at $60 is good.

Hope this is helpful and I will check back for more questions.

Again, I apologize for not seeing you questions before. I haven't been on line as much lately.
 

CamarosRus

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Joined
May 14, 2009
Messages
1,547
Location
Renton, WA (Seattle)
fatfillup, THANKS So much for your informative post. I hope other GC members read it for years to come.........IF only people (including myself) would use the Search Function!!!

Fact of the matter is, that I am a homeowner. As much as I can afford to buy (any pressure washer) why should I.

Just trying to decide IF I should flip this $150 (wonder) KARCHER 6.0HP/2650psi/2.6gpm unit, OR go ahead and improve the hose, turbo nozzle and just use it til pump goes belly up.

I was planning on buying a better pump when the day comes, but now I'll have to find out about the Karcher/Honda GC shaft size fitting COMET or AR pumps.

What do you know about hose size (1/4" or 3/8") for the above specs. I was already to order a GOODYEAR brand 3/8" hose and then a Internet vendor said I should stay with 1/4", so as to maintain pressure. I do not like the KARCHER ridgid style plastic hose.

I was also planning on buying a 3.0 orifice Turbo nozzle as that fits above specs. Not sure how important one brand is from another.

Thanks for continued advice..........

BTW, my sister and mother live in Annapolis,MD

Sincerely, Chuck
 

fatfillup

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Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
10,318
Location
Finksburg, Md
Swithching to 3/8 hose will have no effect on pressure. All pressure is made at the nozzle by forcing a fixed volume of water through an orifice. Smaller the orifice, higher the pressure up to the limit of the pump and motor. Now the hose and pump must withstand the pressure but a larger diameter hose won't affect it. Now if you add another 100 ft. of hose there will be some friction loss, but that's not what you are talking about.

As far as your machine, is the pump underneath the motor or on the side. Ifs it underneath, I'd sell the machine and look for a better one. If its off the the side, you probably can find a pump to replace it.

Turbo nozzle, spend at least $50 on one. The cheap ones don't last. Brand is not as critical as quality level.. The good ones have a heavey brass housing covered in plastic or rubber. The cheap ones are plastic. I like AR, Suttner and PA brands. Dirt Killer is a good one also.

As far as you Mom and Sister, Annapolis is about 50 mins from me. Give them your tool wish list for Christmas and Birthday gifts and they can buy from me:lol_hitti
 

leo.sands

New member
Joined
Apr 19, 2010
Messages
1
Renting a pressure washer was the more economical way to go, at least 6 yrs ago. But homeowners now have access to affordable equipment. Try Craig's List for example where you can get pressure washing equip. for $200-$350, or even less, compared to the rental offered at about $60-$80 dollars a day.
 

930dreamer

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Staff member
Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Messages
22,958
Location
Amarillo,TX and Stinnett,TX
Sorry I didn't see your question before.

I don't deal in the homeowner units so specific model numbers I don't know but can help with some basics.

As far as adjustable pressure, that's in the unloader vavle, not the pump and while most all will be adjustable, I don't recommend adjusting the unloaders as it causes too many problems. Instead, if its a gas engine, just slow the motor down or stand back a little. You can also go with a nozzle with a larger hole and this will lower the pressure.

As far as the turbo nozzle, it depends solely on how its connected to the wand. Most are 1/4 pipe threads but not all. Some are molded into the wand extension and would require a new wand.

As far as the replacement pump, Karcher often has their motors made with a proprietary shaft which will limit replacement choices if not eliminate them.

Pump types, there are 2 basic types. Axial pumps which will be on the low end machines and are not repairable (I've had no luck) and can be identified by a round body.

Crankshaft style pumps are a better choice and can be identified with a rectangular body. The have a crank and rods like a engine.

I will only use Honda motors but beware. There are 2 grades. GX series are the industrial motors and are the best on the market. GC series are the homeowner grade and I don't care for them.

Pump brands (again no specific model numbers) and only crankshaft style.

I like AR for the direct drive pumps, second would be General. Third would be Comet and last would be Cat. Cat industrial pumps are the best made but you will never find an industrial Cat on a machine under $2000. Their lower line is good but their replacement parts make Snap on look cheap.

As far as GPM and pressure, 2500PSI at 3 gpm is good for home owners.

As far as finding a deal on CL, look for a washer with a Honda GX either 6.5, 9, 11 or 13 HP. These motors will outlast 3 or 4 pumps. If you can buy a good motor for $200 or less, you can buy an AR pump for $275 to $375 and have a very nice machine.

Your CL deal on the goodyear hose at $60 is good.

Hope this is helpful and I will check back for more questions.

Again, I apologize for not seeing you questions before. I haven't been on line as much lately.

Hello, I have an industrial Panther LP fired washer w/ 3 phase 7.5 hp electric motor. I'd like to rebuild the pump, if I provide the pump model could you tell my what it might cost to rebuild. 930
 

chadster1

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Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
4,023
Location
Terrell, Texas
Northern Tool has good pressure washers with the features that fatfillup describes. The majority of their pressure washers use Comet pumps. I have one that I use a LOT and I have been happy with it.
 

Hiball

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Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
14,027
Location
Missery
Ive had many Axial pump style pressure washers and have rebuilt a few of them over the years and for home owner use they are just fine. Fatfillup is correct they are not near as good as the Crankshaft style pumps but when price is considered they definitely serve a pourpose. Running axial pumps dry will quickly shorten there life span and believe it or not People are dumb in general when it comes to pressure washers, The best pump i ever owned was a CAT pump that i picked up a farm auction and its supposedly came out of a car wash. I used that thing for like 7 years and it was supposedly junk when i bought it, I wish i would have rebuilt it but at the time i decided to just pick up a Axial type from Sears, Ive been using it for 5+ years 3-4 days a week in 10-15 min cycles and it still runs strong. You can also pick up bolt-on new axial pumps off the internets for not much cash. (Ebay) Not trying to argue just giving my 2 cents.
 
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