I'm looking to buy a pressure washer but I don't whats a decent washer under $400. I would like to have a Honda engine about 2600 PSI 2.5-3 GPM. I hear that on the cheaper washers the pump is what goes out on them. What would be a good washer? What is a best pump?
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Pressure Washer
- Thread starter DIC
- Start date
I would be interested as well. A couple of year back I was talking to a well known company that makes generators and other tools, yet no pressure washers. They told me that pressure washers are just too unreliable due to seals blowing out,etc. Curious if things have progressed. Neighbor bought a nice one and paid close to $200, yep, loud, and broke 2 months later.
shoturtle
Well-known member
Karcher with the honda motors are very good ones. But you are going to pay for the better engines vs el cheap with chinese engines. I like their products, I have an electric one and it work great for around the house. If I have more land and a larger driveway, I would go with a gas engine for more mobility.
I think the general consensus when it comes to pressure washers is a Honda commercial grade engine (GX series) with a Cat pump is the way to go. That combination is not cheap however ($700 - $800 range)
Take a look at what Spraymall.com has to offer. They have several different combinations and they do have a Honda (not commercial grade) with a AR pump in the $400 range
http://store.spraymallstore.com/5565hphopowa.html
Take a look at what Spraymall.com has to offer. They have several different combinations and they do have a Honda (not commercial grade) with a AR pump in the $400 range
http://store.spraymallstore.com/5565hphopowa.html
wnstwolf
Well-known member
DIC,
What is your planned use.. I had a cheapo Tractor supply model purchased about 10 years ago. One winter forgot to drain water out of it in the fall and pump froze and split. Thought time to replace and purchased a very nice unit with the GX Honda and Cat pump with wind up hose reel and all the glitz. Used this to pressure wash a house prior to repaint and amny have borrowed it to do their decks. Thing is it is big and to just do the cars it is a pain. Last fall we had huge floods around here and pressure washers were offered buy the local box stores at a very good price $275 for the Lowe's offering with Honda motor. Very light weight and has the 2 soap feeds. perfect for cars....
What is your planned use.. I had a cheapo Tractor supply model purchased about 10 years ago. One winter forgot to drain water out of it in the fall and pump froze and split. Thought time to replace and purchased a very nice unit with the GX Honda and Cat pump with wind up hose reel and all the glitz. Used this to pressure wash a house prior to repaint and amny have borrowed it to do their decks. Thing is it is big and to just do the cars it is a pain. Last fall we had huge floods around here and pressure washers were offered buy the local box stores at a very good price $275 for the Lowe's offering with Honda motor. Very light weight and has the 2 soap feeds. perfect for cars....
2manytoyz
Well-known member
I had my old pressure washer stolen, along with other gear, from a storage facility break-in a few years back.
I found one on sale at Tractor Supply Company for $225. That's about 1/2 of the original one, but the specs looked better.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/briggs-stratton-reg-2500-psi-gas-cold-water-pressure-washer-1013343
Briggs & Stratton® 2500 PSI Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer, GPM: 2.3
I've had it a couple of years now. Works really well, and comes with multiple tips like the more expensive models. It starts on the first pull, no choke to set. Cleans the snot out of the driveway, pool deck, garage door, camper, metal skinned storage shed, etc.
There are certainly better models, but they often cost several times more. This one does all I ask. Current price is $299...
I found one on sale at Tractor Supply Company for $225. That's about 1/2 of the original one, but the specs looked better.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/briggs-stratton-reg-2500-psi-gas-cold-water-pressure-washer-1013343
Briggs & Stratton® 2500 PSI Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer, GPM: 2.3
I've had it a couple of years now. Works really well, and comes with multiple tips like the more expensive models. It starts on the first pull, no choke to set. Cleans the snot out of the driveway, pool deck, garage door, camper, metal skinned storage shed, etc.
There are certainly better models, but they often cost several times more. This one does all I ask. Current price is $299...
You can't buy a brand new, GOOD, pressure washer for $400. Adequate, decent, sufficient, sure (depending on need), but you won't find quality at that price. So a lot depends on your usage and what you want to get out of it.
Last year I did a ton of research to find what was best. I was looking to buy a new Pressure Pro, but keep an eye on CL if you don't mind buying used. Keep an eye out for a belt drive pump. I ended up with a Mi-T-M 4 gal 4000 psi, v-twin Vanguard engine with battery start that's 15 years old but will last forever. Great USA brand. Also "some" of the Ridgid higher-end units with Subaru Robin engines and idle-down and CAT pumps looked pretty good, but I think they were double what you want to pay and I'm not sure if they've update the model lines (there was some trouble finding the specific unit I wanted when I was looking, it was either discontinued or just release, but supply was low).
Cat, AR, Comet all make good pumps. Put a filter in front of it. If you're set on a Honda engine be aware there is the "cheap" version, the GC, and a higher quality model, the GX series. Other quality choices are the Subaru-Robin EX series and B&S Vanguard series. Combine any of those pumps with any of those engines and you've got a pretty decent machine. For more durability, upgrade to a belt-drive pump and now you've got a good machine. The important thing to remember is, if you're not spraying, TURN THE ENGINE OFF. Excessive idling will cook the bearings in no time on a direct drive pump. Second most important thing to remember is, don't lend it to anybody for any reason.
For $400 I'd go with the Pressure-Pro HC2500HA, do a search and you can find it online for under $400. Should last a good while with light-medium usage. Or a bit more for the Mi-T-M CM-2600-0MLB.
Last year I did a ton of research to find what was best. I was looking to buy a new Pressure Pro, but keep an eye on CL if you don't mind buying used. Keep an eye out for a belt drive pump. I ended up with a Mi-T-M 4 gal 4000 psi, v-twin Vanguard engine with battery start that's 15 years old but will last forever. Great USA brand. Also "some" of the Ridgid higher-end units with Subaru Robin engines and idle-down and CAT pumps looked pretty good, but I think they were double what you want to pay and I'm not sure if they've update the model lines (there was some trouble finding the specific unit I wanted when I was looking, it was either discontinued or just release, but supply was low).
Cat, AR, Comet all make good pumps. Put a filter in front of it. If you're set on a Honda engine be aware there is the "cheap" version, the GC, and a higher quality model, the GX series. Other quality choices are the Subaru-Robin EX series and B&S Vanguard series. Combine any of those pumps with any of those engines and you've got a pretty decent machine. For more durability, upgrade to a belt-drive pump and now you've got a good machine. The important thing to remember is, if you're not spraying, TURN THE ENGINE OFF. Excessive idling will cook the bearings in no time on a direct drive pump. Second most important thing to remember is, don't lend it to anybody for any reason.
For $400 I'd go with the Pressure-Pro HC2500HA, do a search and you can find it online for under $400. Should last a good while with light-medium usage. Or a bit more for the Mi-T-M CM-2600-0MLB.
Jackmoulds
New member
We have had a lot of activities on our patio this summer and it needs a good clean. You mentioned that if you don’t own a pressure washer, select the best one to fit your needs and regular tasks. I didn’t realize that there were different types of pressure washers. It seems that renting one of these could help with the clean up. Do all renting companies offer different types of washers?
Boilerhouse
Well-known member
I have a "cheaper pressure washer", and while it seems to work OK, and has held up for the 10 or so years that I have owned it, the hose is very stiff and difficult to work with. I would look at a better unit for that reason alone.
sberry
Banned
About 800 is a threshold and worth it.
zak77
Well-known member
I bought a Homelite 2700psi 2.3 gpm w/honda engine about 5 years ago from lowes or HD and although i didnt expect it to last this long, it has. The only issue is the unloader valve sticks occasionally. I replaced the hose this spring with a longer hose so i'm not moving the machine around as much. If/when the pump does **** out replacements are only $80-90 so it's not a big deal if the pump does go out and after the amount of time i've used it, i've gotten my money's worth.
strutaeng
Well-known member
It sounds like you are after a gas model, but also consider electric. You won't have to mess with gas, oil and all of the maintenance involved. Northern Tool makes some good electrics with the CAT pump for home use: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350515_200350515
I've got one that I made myself: I had a 5 HP Baldor TEFC 1800 RPM motor and bought a CAT belt-drive pump. It was more than what I wanted to pay after belts, unloader valve, and pulleys. Probably cost $500+, minus the motor. It's not pretty but it is a beast. I believe it is 2.5 GPM @ 2800 psi based on the pulley ratio.
I've used it for about 1 hour and barely gets warm to the touch.
I've got one that I made myself: I had a 5 HP Baldor TEFC 1800 RPM motor and bought a CAT belt-drive pump. It was more than what I wanted to pay after belts, unloader valve, and pulleys. Probably cost $500+, minus the motor. It's not pretty but it is a beast. I believe it is 2.5 GPM @ 2800 psi based on the pulley ratio.
I've used it for about 1 hour and barely gets warm to the touch.