Gas pressure washers

[Hilltopmasonry]

I know there are alot of pressure washer already posts but i want my own! lol

Anyhow, So I might be in the market for a gas pressure washer. I have only used a handful of pressure washers over the years so I don't know much about them except for the fact that some **** and some are good.

I am looking for a decent one but I don't need the best of the best of the best and I would prefer a honda engine since i have had alot of good luck with the hondas on my other equipment.

I would use this mostly for around the house and occasionally for use with my business. Realistically it would probably get used maybe every three weeks, not every day so i am looking for recommendations that balance quality, cost, and durability. I would also like to be able to use a 100ft hose with it once in a while as well so the unit can stay on the ground and i can pressure wash something off a boom lift if need be.

My understanding is the pump can make or break the pressure washers after the engine starts of course. What are your recommendations for pumps on pressure washers? I don't mind spending a little extra because I am hoping that this unit will be the only one i have to buy.

What are your experiences? Thanks!


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[nikerret]

The triplex pumps are better than the axial pumps. I've always heard the best brands were Annovi Reverberi (AR), CAT, Comet, and General. I have a Generac with an AR triplex pump. It's worked great, for almost two years and may sits months between uses. Just make sure you don't let water sit in the pump. I always put the pump conditioner in the pump, while it sits.

 

[CamarosRus]

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[Hilltopmasonry]

The triplex pumps are better than the axial pumps. I've always heard the best brands were Annovi Reverberi (AR), CAT, Comet, and General. I have a Generac with an AR triplex pump. It's worked great, for almost two years and may sits months between uses. Just make sure you don't let water sit in the pump. I always put the pump conditioner in the pump, while it sits.

Triplex a type of pump or a brand? lol

I have seen cat pumps highly recommended on here before


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[Parrothead]

I've posted about this before, but you can replace the axial cam pumps on the Honda engines for under $80. In homeowner cases it doesn't always make sense to spend hundreds more when you can just replace the pump IF necessary. I've got a Homelite Honda with the axial cam pump and it's been a few years since I bought it with no issues.

Homelite Universal Pressure Washer Pump 2800 PSI 2.5 GPM fits 308653052 and many models https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0184E3GYK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

There are more and higher GPM available for not much price difference.

 

[nikerret]

Triplex is a type. Axial is the other common (cheaper) type.

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

I will 2nd Watercannon.com. I purchased a pressure washer with a Honda GX motor and an AR pump. It was about $850. I don't want to have to buy another one during my lifetime. I just use it around the house/garage.

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[Codejack]

I bought a Craftsman unit (yea, yea, yea) with a Honda motor (that's why) a few years ago, and it's been OK.

The motor and pressurizer all work fine, but the frame is a piece of ****.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Just bought a new Generac pressure washer at Menard's, earlier this year. It was like $350, with a Honda engine, and is about 3100psi, maybe 3500psi... Hell, I can't remember for certain. But anyways, it works perfect for everything around the average shop.

Like everything else, I spend twice the amount of time researching every purchase, than what the initial investment is anyways. But the biggest reason I decided this one over many of the other offerings in the same price range... this has one has a steel gas tank, and lots of other steel parts instead of plastic. I've used it a dozen or so times and havent had a single issue with it. The first task for it, was pressure washing my deck, and it ran for well over five hours straight (pretty large deck, also with about sixty feet of six foot tall fence) only stopping once to refuel. No complaints at all on this machine.

One of the single-most damaging things that you can do to a pressure washer pump (or just about any kind of pump), is run it without the water hose hooked up and turned on. Be sure to start the pressure washer, only AFTER connecting the supply hose and turning on the valve/spigot. Most people don't realize that the fluid running through the pump, is actually what keeps the pump lubricated and cooled. Pumps have very tight internal tolerances, and will heat up VERY quickly without that water running through them. And this will undoubtedly do very severe damage to the pump. Turn the water on first, then start the engine, and you'll be good to go.

 

[Parrothead]

I'll add to Wanna Ride's directions (which are completely right), is that running the water through the pump AFTER you're done pressure washing is extremely important too. Think about it...you run the machine, get it hot, and then remove the cooling? Nope! I have a Velcro strap that I wrap around the trigger and use it to run water through the nozzle after I turn off the machine. I do that for a few minutes after I'm done and my machine is happy. Cools it off without overheating the pump.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've run expensive pressure washers and cheap ones.They all work fine, with the exception of two things -

1. Overheating them by running them and not pulling the trigger on the wand, and
2. Letting them freeze over the winter with water in the pump.

Number 1 is why you never ever lend a pressure washer to somebody. They can overheat in just a couple minutes - the cheaper ones overheat quicker because they have less oil in them, and the most expensive ones have recirculation valves, but they all will burn up the pump seals pretty quick if you let them sit pumping without pulling the trigger.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll check out the sites you mentioned


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[sberry]

About 8 or 900$ for something decent.

 

[Kenskip1]

Why just a Honda? I have a Campbell Hausfeld with a Briggs on it for over 12 years. It has washed countless firetrucks along with my own uses.I think that it is 5 hp but it has always starts and does the job. 2250PSI

 

[oilslick]

Home depot,dewalt get the 800$ one in stock, use a 10% off coupon, and wait for menards 11 % sale,stack the deals! I love mine , it is crazy powerful, and when I don't need power I idle it down some. I have used the **** out of it for the first month, won't ever borrow it out unless my dad wants to.

 

[gregpack]

I'm in the car wash business. Cat plunger pumps are the "Honda" of high pressure pumps. I have cat pumps that have operated daily for fifteen years without so much as an oil change.

I'll take a no name pressure washer with a cat pump, Honda Engine and belt drive all day over any supposed "name brand" pressure washer with other brands mounted to them. The pressure washing builders are just assembling components.

ETA: something like this if budget allows:

http://store.spraymallstore.com/eb13hocatpu3.html

 

[MarlynOC]

One problem with Big Store purchases is that some of the pumps are only built for them and you may not be able to get replacement parts for them. HD had a 2800 CAT PSI pump but Cat parts were not readily available for that size when I tried to order them.
Northern Tool is pretty good source for new.

 

[trekgod3]

I've got a Craftsman with a Briggs and Stratton engine. Never had a problem. Always starts on the first pull. I've only ever used ethanol free gas with stabilizer. I always run it dry and run some pump protector thru it before putting it away. It gets used 4 or 5 times a year.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

Well I haven’t bought one yet but I do have some money to use up in the business to use by the end of the year so I decided to actually pull the trigger (pun intended)

Question for you guys is there really any difference between a 3200 psi model and a 4000 PSI model? Obviously it will cost more and have higher pressure but is that higher pressure necessary for common tasks?


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[Git]

I spent $800 on a pressure washer back in 2009 and have no regrets

I was really happy buying from SprayMall.com, because they basically let you pick the engine and pump combination that will fit your budget

For example, I wanted a CAT Triplex pump and the Honda commercial grade engine. I also like how they use a narrower frame. If you don't want to spend the money for that setup that you can get the same Honda engine with a General Pump or an AR pump. Or drop down to a smaller Honda engine and pic your pump

You want belt or gear drive - they sell those too

Take a look:
http://store.spraymallstore.com/5565hphopowa.html

 

[6PTsocket]

The triplex pumps are better than the axial pumps. I've always heard the best brands were Annovi Reverberi (AR), CAT, Comet, and General. I have a Generac with an AR triplex pump. It's worked great, for almost two years and may sits months between uses. Just make sure you don't let water sit in the pump. I always put the pump conditioner in the pump, while it sits.

I have CAT pump on mine. They were made in USA. I have not checked recently. I think AR went to China to some extent, but they are a good brand. I agree with your reccomendations. As far as motors go, the Honda GX series are widely used commercially and on better home stuff. The Honda GC series are home owner grade. I don't know what other brands are used but they all make different grades of motors so I would not go by brand name, alone. You have to see what series they are using and see where it fits in their product line. There are a lot of Chinese knock offs of the GX motor design, that is not to say they are bad.

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[Hilltopmasonry]

I am pretty set on the Honda gx motor and a cat pump

Just curious about the whole pressure rating thing, is it worth it to get the bigger motor to get more psi? Or is 3200 enough to make me happy???


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[danski0224]

It isn't just PSI, but also GPM.

 

[Dud]

You can actually build your own monster PW if you wish. Buy yourself a 13HP engine from HF and a General Pump 4040EZ pump. Mount the engine to something sturdy and attach the pump. Now all you need is a hose ($65), a lance (various prices), some tips and you are GTG. It will put out 4000 PSI at 4 GPM all day. I have a MTM machine with a bad AR pump. I just replaced it with the GP and I'm back in business.

 

[Cf mtn]

It isn't just PSI, but also GPM.

agreed.

 

[6PTsocket]

Why just a Honda? I have a Campbell Hausfeld with a Briggs on it for over 12 years. It has washed countless firetrucks along with my own uses.I think that it is 5 hp but it has always starts and does the job. 2250PSI

You are right. Honda is not the only one that makes good engines. I think, more to the point, they all make commercial and home owner grade engines. I would not buy by brand alone. There is no comparisin between the Honda GX and the lesser GC series.

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[6PTsocket]

I'm in the car wash business. Cat plunger pumps are the "Honda" of high pressure pumps. I have cat pumps that have operated daily for fifteen years without so much as an oil change.

I'll take a no name pressure washer with a cat pump, Honda Engine and belt drive all day over any supposed "name brand" pressure washer with other brands mounted to them. The pressure washing builders are just assembling components.

ETA: something like this if budget allows:

http://store.spraymallstore.com/eb13hocatpu3.html

That is what my DeVilbiss is, a GX driving a CAT. I bought it in HD when they were clearing them out for a cheaper built model. A belt drive was a little out of my price range; it is direct drive. It is all about the pump and the motor. The pressure washer companies just stick 'em on a cart.

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[Joebklyn]

I've been using a Sears pressure washer now for 7 years. Here in the frozen northeast. I run the washer on water to get the engine hot. I then connect it to a hose attached to a submersible pump. The pump sits in a 5 gallon bucket with about 1 1/2 gallons of RV/Marine antifreeze. Turn on pump, start pressure washer and keep spraying till pink anti-freeze comes out (spraying into the bucket ). Turn fuel valve to off and let it run out of gas. Remove spark plug and spray with fogging oil replace plug. All gas has Sta-Bil Marine in it. I keep my PW in an unheated garage. Come spring it'll work like new.

 

[scarrylarry]

My two cents

I have a gas pressure washer . Honda 5 Hp motor Comet pump 2000 psi 2.8 gallons a minute. It's been good to me .

Pressure washer technician told me .
#1You never lend your pressure washer out !
#2 You never let it run with out the trigger being pulled
# 3 Only use high octane fuel without ethanol .


Now my question is how do I make sure there is no water in the pump if I store it outside in freezing temps .

Thanks !
scarrylarry

 

[mrobins297aaa]

This is my 17 year old Craftsman that I just used today to power wash my mowers before I put them away for the winter.
It's 3.8 hp and 1500psi, I replaced the pump a few years ago with a 2400 psi pump.
I've modified it a bit. I added that hose reel and got rid of the cheap hose it came with that was always a kinked up mess.
I also put on that hyde adjustable wand, it's great for power washing under your car/truck to get the salt off, by twisting the handle you can get it to spray almost 90 deg straight up.

it's been a good power washer.
I did learn something in this thread today about leaving it idle with no water going threw it, I seem to do that a lot.........maybe I shouldn't be doing that.
good info here.

 

[Cf mtn]

My two cents

I have a gas pressure washer . Honda 5 Hp motor Comet pump 2000 psi 2.8 gallons a minute. It's been good to me .

Pressure washer technician told me .
#1You never lend your pressure washer out !
#2 You never let it run with out the trigger being pulled
# 3 Only use high octane fuel without ethanol .


Now my question is how do I make sure there is no water in the pump if I store it outside in freezing temps .

Thanks !
scarrylarry

scarry, there are different brands of pump protector. i use briggs and stratton pump saver.

 

[TrevorR82]

I personally went with a 13hp Honda GX390 motor with a General triplex pump. It's a little overkill but I'm a "buy once, cry once" type of person. If I were looking to save a few bucks I'd go for the smaller Honda GX270 motor with a triplex pump from any of the major brands (AR, Cat, General etc). It really depends on what your intended use is. There is definitely nothing wrong with the cheaper axial units with "non-commercial" engines, they will last for ages if properly maintained.

 

[TrevorR82]

My two cents

I have a gas pressure washer . Honda 5 Hp motor Comet pump 2000 psi 2.8 gallons a minute. It's been good to me .

Pressure washer technician told me .
#1You never lend your pressure washer out !
#2 You never let it run with out the trigger being pulled
# 3 Only use high octane fuel without ethanol .


Now my question is how do I make sure there is no water in the pump if I store it outside in freezing temps .

Thanks !
scarrylarry

This is great advice! Rules 1 and 3 also apply to chainsaws, nothing like getting a chainsaw back after it been run into the ground or filled with straight gas!