Pressure Washer Quick Disconnects

[Spta97]

A few years ago I got this Surfacemaxx quick disconnect kit from Lowes. It worked ok (some leaking at the garden hose to PW). However, I had tried to remove one of the fittings from my PW hose and it was corroded on causing me to destroy the hose in the process.

I saw these Powercare ones at HD which had good reviews. I got them and they feel much heavier/better quality but I also learned they (at least the male plugs) are "coated aluminum blend" - not brass.

I did some research on here and it looks like Hansen is a favored, made in USA brand with quality brass.

I don't think I need stainless (note, I maybe use the gas power washer once a season and the electric a few times a month in the warmer seasons for washing the car), but it's not like the HD/Powercare ones are cheap.

The Powercare feel a lot more substantial and better quality than the Surfacemaxx connects. I also wrapped all connections in teflon tape and coated with silicone grease to prevent corrosion.

So my question, am I better off returning the Powercare/HD quick disconnects and going with Hansen? It looks like their male plugs are either plated zinc or stainless ($$$).

I should mention I want to have QDs on both power washers so that increases the costs.

Thanks!

 

[bobg03]

I purchased a set of them at tractor supply, the male and females are available as separate components and attach to the existing hose threads so I installed them on both garden hoses with the male on the nozzle and female on hose and installed a female to the hose connection on the washer. No problems after 3 years makes it easy to remove the nozzle and just plug it together with the washer.

 

[Beerhippie]

I buy almost all my pressure washer parts at Pressure Washer Parts dotcom. The tend to have good quality parts.

When buying fittings, stainless is now cheaper than brass in most stuff I use. It's more durable, too. Chrome plating looks good for a year or two, then it's gone, so no use in paying extra for it.

Not all pressure washers use the same size fittings! Most or all of the "commercial" grade ones use an SAE size fitting, while many of the "big-box" models use a 15mm size. The threads are the same; the IDs are different. The two are not interchangeable, but I have bored out a "***-changer" coupler (mates two female ends of high-pressure hoses together) made for the real fittings to mate with a 15 on one end. You just need a 15 mm drill bit; decent drill press and vise. I'm talking about the fittings that attach a high-pressure hose to the pump and to the wand, not the garden hose fittings for the water-in.

 

[Sumboodie]

Put some oil on them when you take it apart. Double D 40 or whatever flavor you like.

Make sure they are rated for the flow and pressure it it's a decent unit. Lotof them are for the anemic home jobber washers.

I blew apart a turbo nozzle with my Landa. Apparently only rated for like 2gpm.

 

[Spta97]

I purchased a set of them at tractor supply, the male and females are available as separate components and attach to the existing hose threads so I installed them on both garden hoses with the male on the nozzle and female on hose and installed a female to the hose connection on the washer. No problems after 3 years makes it easy to remove the nozzle and just plug it together with the washer.

Of the Hansens?

 

[Spta97]

Put some oil on them when you take it apart. Double D 40 or whatever flavor you like.

Make sure they are rated for the flow and pressure it it's a decent unit. Lotof them are for the anemic home jobber washers.

I blew apart a turbo nozzle with my Landa. Apparently only rated for like 2gpm.

Yea, mine is a home jobber (2400 PSI Karcher I got at Costco 20 years ago). Still works but I'm sure I'll upgrade one day.

I'm using the silicone grease which seems to help but I can also spray some WD40 in there as well.

 

[bobg03]

Of the Hansens?

I don't think so, the "them" was referring to quick connects. Sorry for the misunderstanding, what I purchased has been fine for my use with no issues on my 3400 psi washer.

 

[Spta97]

I buy almost all my pressure washer parts at Pressure Washer Parts dotcom. The tend to have good quality parts.

When buying fittings, stainless is now cheaper than brass in most stuff I use. It's more durable, too. Chrome plating looks good for a year or two, then it's gone, so no use in paying extra for it.

Not all pressure washers use the same size fittings! Most or all of the "commercial" grade ones use an SAE size fitting, while many of the "big-box" models use a 15mm size. The threads are the same; the IDs are different. The two are not interchangeable, but I have bored out a "***-changer" coupler (mates two female ends of high-pressure hoses together) made for the real fittings to mate with a 15 on one end. You just need a 15 mm drill bit; decent drill press and vise. I'm talking about the fittings that attach a high-pressure hose to the pump and to the wand, not the garden hose fittings for the water-in.

I'll check them out - thanks!

The ones I have purchased are the 14mm and they fit both my PWs (not sure if the 14mm is equivalent to SAE in this context).

I'm still seeing the SS ones are more expensive: example han-34705 SS = ~$30 and the han-34719 brass $12.

I've also seen stainless on Amazon in 304 rather than 316 (or at least better). I've seen the 304 rust with other items.

 

[GCS]

I’m also interested if the Hansen QDs are the ****.
I’ll be following this thread

I know personally there’s a huge difference in garden hose QDs….
Eley are definitely worth the money in my experience/opinion.

Looking at the Hansen prices on PressureWasherparts.com the brass fittings aren’t overly expensive.
If good reviews, and are needing fittings I’d poney up for the Hansen

 

[mike93lx]

@fatfillup

 

[Spta97]

I’m also interested if the Hansen QDs are the ****.
I’ll be following this thread

I know personally there’s a huge difference in garden hose QDs….
Eley are definitely worth the money in my experience/opinion.

Looking at the Hansen prices on PressureWasherparts.com the brass fittings aren’t overly expensive.
If good reviews, and are needing fittings I’d poney up for the Hansen

Yea that’s what I’m curious about. They are around the same price as the HD ones.

 

[fatfillup]

First, if you let the QC'S connected and don't take them apart often, they will become slow connects quickly.

Second, there are 2 basic quality levels, domestic and asian. Domestics are superior.

Brass plugs(male side) will distort where the balls engage and not come apart. Worse as pressure increases. You can file them but I avoid them.

USA stainless are the best but pricey

Chinese stainless are ok, General Pump brand are decent

USA brass sockets and steel plugs are what we sell most of. Not much difference between brands. Tolerances are better in USA brands then Chinese

Hansen are good quality though I thought they are branded as Eaton now. I think Dixon is what we sell

 

[Spta97]

First, if you let the QC'S connected and don't take them apart often, they will become slow connects quickly.

Second, there are 2 basic quality levels, domestic and asian. Domestics are superior.

Brass plugs(male side) will distort where the balls engage and not come apart. Worse as pressure increases. You can file them but I avoid them.

USA stainless are the best but pricey

Chinese stainless are ok, General Pump brand are decent

USA brass sockets and steel plugs are what we sell most of. Not much difference between brands. Tolerances are better in USA brands then Chinese

Hansen are good quality though I thought they are branded as Eaton now. I think Dixon is what we sell

Good info thank you. That may have been what caused the issue as I would roll the hoses up and stick the male in the female for storage. I'll leave them apart to dry out going forward.

And that's great info about the steel vs. brass plugs. I never understood why the plugs were steel...now I know.

Edited to add, on PWParts.com the logo is "Eaton Hansen"

 

[Spta97]

Well this is mildly annoying as I've been searching and it seems that the Eaton/Hansen don't have the M22 thread QDs.

I've seen mixed reviews on the MTM SS and think I'm just going to keep the HD ones and lube them up as required.

 

[fatfillup]

Well this is mildly annoying as I've been searching and it seems that the Eaton/Hansen don't have the M22 thread QDs.

I've seen mixed reviews on the MTM SS and think I'm just going to keep the HD ones and lube them up as required.

****, didn't realize you had metric twist couplers. My info was about standards push together quicks, similar to air hose.

Brass is the only style we sell in those, well at least the plugs are brass as well as what threads on them. I may have seen them in aluminum but run from those

 

[Spta97]

****, didn't realize you had metric twist couplers. My info was about standards push together quicks, similar to air hose.

Brass is the only style we sell in those, well at least the plugs are brass as well as what threads on them. I may have seen them in aluminum but run from those

Interesting- now it makes sense why there was such a lack of M22. I thought that all PW used them - learned something new again!

The HD/Powecare ones I have are brass for the female and “aluminum blend” for the male plugs according to the manufacturer. However in one of the reviews a guy stated that a magnet stuck to them so perhaps the blend includes steel.

I was able to find them on eBay for a 4 pack the same price as one at the store so got them and figured with my infrequent use should last me the rest of my life.

Overall the reviews on HD are very good for the series so it should work ok for me. Also, if I ever upgrade my PW it seems like I would t have M22 but the 3/8”?

 

[fatfillup]

Yep, 3/8 is industry standard

 

[Spta97]

Yep, 3/8 is industry standard

Is M22 just for home jobbers?

 

[W-Cummins]

I'm pretty sure that my big Karcher super class machine runs the 22mm too, but they now have a "Quicker" qd fitting with a fast thread pitch on them.

 

[fatfillup]

Is M22 just for home jobbers?

European manufacturers use them for most all machines hot and cold, commercial and home owners.

I am not up on asian and other homeowner machines but that is where I see most on of them

 

[Jeepster04]

Ive had good luck with the MTM quick connects.

Pressure Washer MTM Hydro Fittings | MTM Hydro

MTM hydro fittings are perfect for even your most high-pressure joints and come in a variety of metals including stainless steel, zinc, and brass.

www.mtmhydroparts.com

 

[bedn0009]

First, if you let the QC'S connected and don't take them apart often, they will become slow connects quickly.

Second, there are 2 basic quality levels, domestic and asian. Domestics are superior.

Brass plugs(male side) will distort where the balls engage and not come apart. Worse as pressure increases. You can file them but I avoid them.

USA stainless are the best but pricey

Chinese stainless are ok, General Pump brand are decent

USA brass sockets and steel plugs are what we sell most of. Not much difference between brands. Tolerances are better in USA brands then Chinese

Hansen are good quality though I thought they are branded as Eaton now. I think Dixon is what we sell

Hello sir. Is there a stainless or brass pipe fitting for connecting 2 pressure washer lines more permanently than using quick connects? I want to connect my 3/8 male npt whip to my 3/8 male pressure washer reel

 

[fatfillup]

Hello sir. Is there a stainless or brass pipe fitting for connecting 2 pressure washer lines more permanently than using quick connects? I want to connect my 3/8 male npt whip to my 3/8 male pressure washer reel

Yes, a 3/8 npt pipe coupler. This is a standard plumbing fitting. Thicker walled brass is fine as is a galvanized fitting. Stainless will work, just harder to find. Good luck!

I assume one end of your whip hose has a swivel fitting on it. If not, you will need what I call a 3/8 pipe swivel fitting also. That you will need to get from a hydraulic hose supplier