Pressure Washer and Lawn mower.

[soulstryke]

I know pretty much nothing of either. Whats a good brand for both? Pressure washer im looking for 2000psi gas or electric and lawn mower im looking for a push gas mower with a bag. Educate me on both plz

 

[soulstryke]

i might add im not looking for anything fancy for either of them. Just looking for a decent quality brand.

 

[cburnscrx]

I'll make the long story short. Get a gas pressure washer, and make sure both the lawnmower and pressure washer are Honda engines. The triplex pumps are better than the axial cam pumps on the pressure washer, BUT the cost of admission for the triplex pumps is significanlty more. I have a Homelite with the Honda engine and an axial cam pump and I am happy. It's cleaned my deck, my house and sidewalks.

Best of luck in your search

 

[srmofo]

You wont go wrong with a honda.

I also have a poulan pro that I used for my landscaping business for a few years to get into weird small areas. Im still using it at my house years later. Its been a great little machine.

 

[Jack90210]

I know you will think that it's overkill for your purposes, but I bought a used Karcher with the GX390 (13hp) Honda motor and use it about 4-5 times a year for work. I think it will outlive me. I'm very glad that I didn't get a smaller machine.

Whatever you wind up with, be sure to store it in a heated environment in the winter (I see you are in Alberta) so that the water trapped in the pump won't freeze.

 

[TOOL_MONGER]

I did quite a bit of looking before I purchased a Karcher PW and a Honda mower...

 

[theoldwizard1]

With pressure washer GPM is more important than PSI. You want at least 2.0 GPM. Electrics aren't bad, but in that class it will cost as much or more than a gas powered on and you will need a 20A GFCI circuit and 12 gauge extension cord. 10 gauge if you have to go more than 30 feet.

The most common failure on pressure washers is freezing water in the pump. You need compressed air and an adapter to blow them out.

Honda and Toro are the top brands in mowers. Cast aluminum decks last longer than stamped steel.

 

[srmofo]

As far as water freezing in the pump goes. I just bought a gallon of RV antifreeze and use a scrap piece of hose with a funnel. Attach it to the pump inlet. Pull the cord a few times with kill switch off and the trigger pulled. Once you see the pink antifreeze coming out, youre good for another winter.

That one gallon should last me several years, it didnt take much

 

[socapots]

As far as water freezing in the pump goes. I just bought a gallon of RV antifreeze and use a scrap piece of hose with a funnel. Attach it to the pump inlet. Pull the cord a few times with kill switch off and the trigger pulled. Once you see the pink antifreeze coming out, youre good for another winter.

That one gallon should last me several years, it didnt take much

like this says.
guaranteed no freezing..

 

[Bib Overalls]

All power washer pumps are cooled by the water they pump. Commercial pumps have a thermal bypass that opens if the pump overheats.

Most low cost consumer pumps are not protected. This means that if they are left idling for any time at all the pump will seize up. If you get one without thermal protection don't loan it to your brother in law.

 

[cnc-me]

As far as water freezing in the pump goes. I just bought a gallon of RV antifreeze and use a scrap piece of hose with a funnel. Attach it to the pump inlet. Pull the cord a few times with kill switch off and the trigger pulled. Once you see the pink antifreeze coming out, youre good for another winter.

That one gallon should last me several years, it didnt take much

Works for me too.

 

[Den69rs96]

Go for the pw with the most gpm and highest pressure you can afford. Don't focus to much on the engine. With a pressure washer, the engine will out live the pump. I have a subaru engine on my pw and i think its a better engine that the one on my Honda harmony II GCV self propelled mower. Most of the lower priced pw under 400 use Honda's homeowner GC motor which is nothing special. You really have to shell out some $$ to get the better GX motor.

Like someone said earlier, the plunger triplex type pumps are much better and last much longer and come with a thermal bypass. Even the most inexpensive CAT triplex pump is worlds better than the best axial cam pump. The cheaper homeowner pw units usually come with axial cam pumps and the better axial cam pumps come with a brass head. Howerver ask yourself how much do you really think you will use this and is the extra $150-200 bucks for the better pump worth it. If your only going to use it 5 or less times a year, the axial cam pump will probably last a long time. If the pump does **** out replacement pumps are available at places like Northern Tool.

I recommend using pump guard when you store your pw. Its a type of RV antifreeze which keeps it from freezing and lubes up the pump as well.

I have a Honda Harmony II single speed self propelled mower. Its a decent mower, but a bit overpriced. I don't use it as a mulcher because I find it mats the grass and clogs up easily if you have a thick lawn. I've had it for 10 years and I've replaced the deck, the rear wheels, the drive cable 3 times, the rear flap. It starts first pull until it gets colder out, then it takes about 10 pulls to get it going. Overall its a decent machine, but your paying more $$ for the Honda name than anything else.

 

[signcrafter]

As far as water freezing in the pump goes. I just bought a gallon of RV antifreeze and use a scrap piece of hose with a funnel. Attach it to the pump inlet. Pull the cord a few times with kill switch off and the trigger pulled. Once you see the pink antifreeze coming out, youre good for another winter.

That one gallon should last me several years, it didnt take much

Is this as good or better then the pump savor stuff they sell at the box stores for pressure washers? Like this, http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203160...rizontal1-2-_-NA-_-203160413-_-N#.UayfSk4o7IU. I've always used the pump saver stuff but it's expensive compared to RV antifreeze.

 

[michael Mccoy]

Honda Harmony self propelled 21" had since 2002 and starts 1st pull everytime. Keep it clean, change oil, sharpen the blades and yours will keep running for 11 yrs or more.

 

[1Garageman]

As far as water freezing in the pump goes. I just bought a gallon of RV antifreeze and use a scrap piece of hose with a funnel. Attach it to the pump inlet. Pull the cord a few times with kill switch off and the trigger pulled. Once you see the pink antifreeze coming out, youre good for another winter.

That one gallon should last me several years, it didnt take much

I just take mine down to the basement every year and don't worry about doing all of that.

 

[keithh2oskier]

I have both a craftsman lawn mower and power washer which have a Briggs and Stratton motor. I think they are around 6-7 hp each. Both motors run great and get regular use. My maintenance is limited and have done maybe one or two oil changes in the last few years.

I know my dads lawn mower has a Honda and I think his power washer does also. While my stuff fires up first pull every time, his Honda lawn mower purrs. Seriously its so much more quiet. I have a cheaper mower but his is a tank.

If I had the money, I would fork out $5-600 on a honda mower. But I dont, so I bought one on craigslist for $100...

 

[Eslader]

Another vote for Honda here. Quiet, runs well, lasts forever.

 

[EJM02]

Not sure if this has already been said so please excuse if this is a repeat.

I made the mistake of purchasing a front wheel drive mower. Do not make the mistake of purchasing a front wheel drive mower.

 

[er3456df]

I'm the odd man out- I say, learn to fix the pumps and carbs, and buy whatever's cheap. Expensive ones can die just like cheap ones- if you've got to fix it, you're not going think it's so special anymore.

One caveat- look at the pump on a PW before buying. If you can google the make/model, and parts are available, you're good. Some of them literally can't be fixed.

 

[Kevin C]

I went with a Lowe's big box special, a troy built 3500 PSI that was one the high end cheap models ($400 or so six years ago).

I like to change the lube in the pressure washers pump every other year. They says its life time lube... But I'm not convinced. My pump uses a a special synthetic. It was reasonably clean on the first change but it did have a few drops of water in it and wear in metal. Seems inevitable.

BTW, my pump does have a thermal bypass.

The other thing that I do is I always purge the garden hose of trapped air. The vacuum breaker can allow some pretty large air pockets that let the pump run dry. When I start working I put the hose on the washer a bit loose and let leak for a bit until all the air is out.

Then I tighten it and start washing.

I have had the pressure washer for more than six years now and its still fine. Troy built with 190 CC Briggs and Stratton. It was hard to start when it was new and the float tended to stick.

Once I got past that issue, its been great. The other thing I like to use is a can of pump saver. It has anti corrosion additives, piston lube and flushes it out the water.

So far so good.. Not a spectacular machine, but it works well enough. This is the only gas machine that I have bought new. The pumps are fickle enough and such a major cost, to me it was worht it.

My mower is a 12 year old Torro with a Tecumseh that runs like a champ. Best $50 dollar mower I ever bought.

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Briggs-and-Stratton-6039/p4325.html?utm_source=google%20shopping&utm_medium=shop%20portals&utm_campaign=6039&gclid=CKj32qejzLcCFUZxQgoduhIAEg

Pump Saver

 

[cburnscrx]

As far as water freezing in the pump goes. I just bought a gallon of RV antifreeze and use a scrap piece of hose with a funnel. Attach it to the pump inlet. Pull the cord a few times with kill switch off and the trigger pulled. Once you see the pink antifreeze coming out, youre good for another winter.

That one gallon should last me several years, it didnt take much

That is a fantastic idea! I will have to try it out this fall when I put the pressure washer away. Certainly cheaper than pump protector and who doesn't have a funnel, hose clamp and some spare hose around the garage?

 

[Jack90210]

I like to change the lube in the pressure washers pump every other year. They says its life time lube... But I'm not convinced. My pump uses a a special synthetic. It was reasonably clean on the first change but it did have a few drops of water in it and wear in metal. Seems inevitable.

BTW, my pump does have a thermal bypass.

The other thing that I do is I always purge the garden hose of trapped air. The vacuum breaker can allow some pretty large air pockets that let the pump run dry. When I start working I put the hose on the washer a bit loose and let leak for a bit until all the air is out.

Then I tighten it and start washing.

I have had the pressure washer for more than six years now and its still fine. Troy built with 190 CC Briggs and Stratton. It was hard to start when it was new and the float tended to stick.

Once I got past that issue, its been great. The other thing I like to use is a can of pump saver. It has anti corrosion additives, piston lube and flushes it out the water.

Several good ideas here. I too like to change the pump lubricant every few years. Had to do some searching online for the correct Karcher pump lubricant; don't expect your local service place to carry it.

Pump saver: never heard of that before! Thanks.

I also like to run water through the hoses before firing up the engine. It's easier to purge the air without the pump running.

Finally, I make sure to hold down the PW hand trigger for a moment after shutting the engine down in order to run cool water through the pump. Same thing if you run any chemicals into the soap intake; flush it out with plain water before shutting down.

 

[jonathan75]

I have been using my Craftsman Lawn Mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine for over 15 years with no issues. It still runs strong and great. My Craftsman Pressure washer with a Briggs and Stratton engine is now 10 years old and also error free with no issues.

 

[kmk7110]

have a craftsman 3000 psi pressure washer gets used frequently enough. they have the pump saver stuff at sears for 10 bucks a can. never bought any tho because i just take mine into the basement.

 

[Toomanytools?]

For pressure washer, get something wit a pump that can be repaired such as a CAT pump. More than likely the pump will **** out before the engine, and if you can get parts and rebuild the pump you can save the unit otherwise it's landfill art.
I bought the RIDGID 3000 psi 2.6 GPM CAT Pump Gas Pressure Washer with a 4cyc Subaru. Has been a great unit, starts right up even after sitting all winter.