Pressure washer recommendations

[sleepy127]

I am looking for a pressure washer for heavy home use/ maybe light industrial. A good name brand that is dependable and not a ton of money. Any recommendations?


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[ishiboo]

I'd look for something with a Cat pump. There are some value-priced with Cat pumps and decent engines.

 

[MarlynOC]

Honda GX engine with CAT pump.

 

[Trey T]

That sounds like you want gas type PW (electric equivalent are 2-3times the cost). Just look for triplex plunger type pump. Also, for high pressure hook-up, I prefer the standard 3/8" NPT thread over the the M22 thread connections.

 

[kctyphoon]

Pressurewashersdirect.com

You won't find a Honda motor with cat/tri-plex pump for "not a lot of money"

That's the kind of thing everyone will recommend but very few own. Decide on a price, read reviews online and make the best choice you can. There's nothing that says a Briggs and Stratton engine is a downgrade. I have B&S engines on most of my stuff (including my John Deere pressure washer) and they are very reliable.

I'm not saying the engines are inferior, but after years of use, if there's is any carb trouble I don't even mess with rebuild kits anymore. For about $30, new carbs from B&S come complete and already tuned. Honda engines are not impervious to trouble either. Also, leave some room to buy accessories like a cheap surface cleaning attachment and a water broom. They save massive amounts of time and effort.

 

[mlum6969]

i perfer a honda engine, and cat pump.

 

[Cf mtn]

have you decided what size P/W you are looking to get? personally i think the gx honda is 1 of the best. there are a few good pumps that will last if not neglected, treat them wrong they all fail. pumps aren't cheap to repair. kc makes a good point. research/reviews, accessories like surface cleaner, water broom, rotating nozzle all save wear and tear on your machine.

 

[JoJoSnap]

Ryobi with honda engine


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[4 Ever-Fish N]

I purchased a pressure washer from Watercannon.com several months ago. It has a Honda GX 200 with RCV Triplex pump 2.8 GPM, 3300 PSI. The service guy from that company assured me this pump was as good or better than the comparable CAT pump. I paid $765. So far I really like it.

 

[Cf mtn]

that's a good combo. i had to look it up but your pump is made by ar? good durable pumps, and about a 1/3 cheaper for parts than cat.

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

Yes sir, it's an AR pump. I was determined to get a CAT but the guy was very sure that the AR pump was the best in this category. I think he said if it was a larger pump, he'd recommend the CAT.

that's a good combo. i had to look it up but your pump is made by ar? good durable pumps, and about a 1/3 cheaper for parts than cat.

 

[GarageGuy89]

I just went through this search you are doing, before finally buying the 'Subaru' branded pressure washer at costco for $269.99. Anything with comparable specs was $100-200 more, I even saw one of those 'name brand' PW for $800 with even or less specs. Anything more than those specs seemed to be almost double the price, in which you start to get into the commercial pumps. All I need it for was washing the house, deck, pavement, etc. or as we might saw homeowner use.

This thing has done everything I've needed it to do so far, and can't even tell a difference between it and the $2,000 machine I was borrowing from a contractor before. Was I using it for something that would require 5.0 gpm? NO, but that's my point, I don't need it for what I am washing, so why pay the premium price?

I don't know what light industrial use means, but the Subaru unit has impressed me thus far, OH and did I mention, it's electric start?!?

 

[kctyphoon]

Sometimes less water flow is a benefit. Especially if you're cleaning sidewalks close to grass that's edged.. a lot of water flow just makes more muddy mess you need to push away.

I have a John Deere 3800 psi (I think it is), and just bought an electric Ryobi with 1600 psi. The Ryobi is still enough to clean up the concrete. It just takes ALOT longer..

Seriously consider setting $120 or so aside and getting the cheaper surface cleaner and water broom. Very, VERY, good investments..

 

[davidgreams]

I bought a Karcher K3 when my K2 crapped out. I have now gone through 2 k3s in less than three months. First one popped an internal part and the last one had electrical issues.

Now that I think about it, I hope I have not been the source of electrical issues with my first k2 and second k3.

My light duty power cord never gets hot, but I wonder if it can carry the needed amperage.

Now on my second k2 and it is working fine, for now. Avoid karcher.

As a caveat, I have detailed almost 200 cars this year and used a pressure washer on many of those. So, I'm not 2-3 times a week user, more like 10 times a week.

 

[ATC]

Honda GX with a CAT pump is the way to go. Northern tool carries quite a few options.

 

[bpankratz]

Yamaha. Nothing better in the price range. Period. Better motor than the Honda (yes I said that) and a CAT pump. Never mind the fit and finish is better than almost ANY brand putting a Honda motor in their pressure washer.

 

[Super Mech]

GPM over pressure. Honda engine is always a plus as is a CAT pump or a Giant pump.

 

[mcj115]

Guess I am the odd ball I have a Honda gx with a General pump instead of Cat. General pumps are still high quality and serviceable.

 

[MrDeerHunter]

Simpson pressure washer with the Honda gx would fit your bill

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[LXCam]

I'll be kind of the odd man out. I've got both a 2200 psi electric landa diesel fueled high heat unit and a Honda 3200psi gasser. Obviously the gas unit kicks it *** for the out n out pressure and GPM category but I've found the landa out performs it by a long shot. Using 180 degree water for any chore seriously cuts down the time it takes even if it's just dirty concrete. For car and equipment stuff it's a no brainer over just tap water temp when cleaning off grease is concerned. However if it's just plain ole mud build up then the gass unit comes out.

This is what I've got minus the propane set up, mine has a ~5 gallon belly fuel tank.



Now for the downside. Yup they're not cheap nor is it possible for even two guys to toss in the back of the truck. But if you're using it for shop duty and the time is money thing is a consideration it's a sure win.

 

[6PTsocket]

I have the "approved" combination of a Honda GX and a CAT pump. I got it on clearance at HD when they were replacing it with a washer with a cheaper pump for more money. It is branded DeVilbiss but as others have stated, it is all about the pump and the motor. A little more power would be nice. I can power wash but I am a bit low for wet ( dustless) sand blasting, that I wanted to try. Aside from the US made CAT, most of the name brand triplex pumps like General and AR are Italian but even they have moved some production to China. I recall seeing the GX/CAT in HD at one time under the DeWalt label. The Honda GC series is a home owner pump and not to be confused with the GX. There is a new pressure washer at HF with a lot of pressure and CFM, for a direct drive, at a good price. Their Predator engines are supposed to be pretty good. I don't know what pump they are using. I would check it out.

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[6PTsocket]

Oops !! I meant to say the GC is a home owner MOTOR. Since posting, I have read the DeWalts are rebadged Simpsons for more money.

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[sberry]

I am not fussy about the engine as long as it runs. My Bud got one with a Briggs on it, bigger engine and more pump and it worked pretty well. There are a couple thresholds, about 800$ and 1500. Bigger is better, hot trumps. Depends on where one lives, on depreciation of cars, ownership of equipment and business. A top unitvlasts a long time but we got people spending 8 grand on lawn tractors too.
Mine makes 5 gpm at 200 degrees, I wash a muddy filthy, icy, salty car about every day, sometimes more than 1 and lot so other stuff to the point I would make payments on one if I had to.
I use it every day since 1984.

 

[sberry]

I am not fussy about the engine as long as it runs. My Bud got one with a Briggs on it, bigger engine and more pump and it worked pretty well. There are a couple thresholds, about 800$ and 1500. Bigger is better, hot trumps. Depends on where one lives, on depreciation of cars, ownership of equipment and business. A top unitvlasts a long time but we got people spending 8 grand on lawn tractors too.
Mine makes 5 gpm at 200 degrees, I wash a muddy filthy, icy, salty car about every day, sometimes more than 1 and lot so other stuff to the point I would make payments on one if I had to.
I use it every day since 1984.

 

[joel]

...
Mine makes 5 gpm at 200 degrees, I wash a muddy filthy, icy, salty car about every day, sometimes more...

Does hot make much difference when washing vehicles?

 

[Magnum440d100]

I use a Ryobi 2600(?) psi gas PW from Home Depot. I got it because it was a customer return/refurb unit and was discounted.

It does everything I need it to.

But for greasy grimy concrete, I’ll drop some ZEP or simple green and scrub with a push broom. Using this method, I can work on a car laying on the concrete wearing white clothes and remain clean

 

[aarcuda]

I just got a used dewalt 4200 psi 4 gpm cheap at $80 because the guy said the pressure was low. Its got a Honda GS390 engine that runs fine.

I went and bought a Udor pump for $400 which is 4000 psi @ 4 gpm but before replacing it, it tested out the original pump. It was a lil low at 2500 PSI so I took the unloader apart and cleaned it and oput it back on and VOILA!! 4100 PSI!!!

Now I have a bulletproof Udor pump which I really want to use because its supposedly BULLETPROOF.

They sat the Cat and AR pumps need a rebuild after 500 hours but the Udor is good for 5000 hours. Something to think about

 

[sberry]

Does hot make much difference when washing vehicles?

Dirt cleans ok cold but any grime cleans better hot. Its winter here too, hot melts ice and removes salt a lot better. I had a packed plow truck I wanted to work on today, took me 10 or 15 minutes, I took the wand off and ran hot and melted all the snow out of it. Its not cheap but if you want work done its fast.
I have a port in the wall and outside controls.

 

[NUTTSGT]

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