Pressure washer

[wolfsburged]

Thinking of purchasing a pressure washer for general cleanup around the house. Want something that will last for awhile and is high quality, so not the generic big box type stuff.

I have done some research and found that the Comet or CAT pumps seem best, and Honda GX or equivalent motor is also best bet.

Northern Tool has a Honda GX with Comet pump for $649:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200594735_200594735

However saw this at Home Depot online, with sale and free shipping for $549 with Subaru engine and CAT pump:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-3...d-Idle-Down-RD80944/205092426?keyword=rd80944

and its bigger brother with larger engine for $649:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-3...8xALVBhebgqcP63Nrwf3xhoC3A3w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds


I am leaning towards the Rigid 3000 PSI with Subaru and CAT pump for $549. Seems like a hard deal to pass up. Never had a Subaru motor but they seem to be in a similar class to the Honda.

Any thoughts on this Rigid model?

Northern is local and has all their washers in stock. Home Depot would have to be an online order and shipped to the house (but free shipping).

 

[the gypsy]

I don't own one but have been tempted to buy one every time there is a sale.

After much research I was told the pressure of the washer is important BUT you must consider the amount of water it uses because this will influence the speed of cleaning more than the pressure.

 

[boiler7904]

I've never had a Subaru / Robin engine but have heard they are decent. I would look into local access for Subaru engine parts before buying either of Ridgid units.

I bought a Simpson pressure washer with a Kohler engine last fall from Lowe's but not before finding out my normal power equipment dealer also sells / repairs Kohler engines. Even then, basic parts like the air filter and foam precleaner were a special order item that took almost 2 weeks to get. My machine won't get more than 10 or 15 hours use a year typically but I like to have basic consumables in the garage ready to go if I need them.

Nice thing about Northern & Northstar is the warranty. We bought a 2" trash pump from them last summer at work. Went to pull it out of storage last Thursday to make sure it's ready for action later this week and noticed a broken flange on the output hose adapter. 10 minutes on the phone with them and the part will be here on Wednesday at the latest - no arguing about shipping, if we abused it, etc. Just gave them the original order number (thank God for archived email) and unit serial number and confirmed where I wanted the part shipped to.

 

[kctyphoon]

this should keep you busy - http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/

 

[junkyardwarrior]

the next one I buy will be a Yamaha PW3028. Expensive but it has features that I really like. 3000 psi, 2.8 GPM. We have one at work and it does everything we could ask for and then some. We've been using it for almost 2 years now and never had to perform a single repair to it, other than replacing the hose since "junior" (the new guy) ran over it with the fork lift. It gets used about 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week. It sleeps inside when below freezing outside. Oil change once a week. Air filter 4 times a year, valve adjustment once a year. Great little washer. They now have a 4000 psi washer now too, but it doesn't have the multi spray head on it. That is what sold me on the 3028 is that if 3000 psi is too much, rotate the head and it'll change the spray pattern. It also has a 800 psi setting which is mostly what we use at work washing lawn mowers. Still 2.8 GPM but 800 psi, does an excellent job and won't blow the stickers off. We don't run it at full PSI unless we're washing a nasty, greasy tractor transmission or something similar. Also the head turns I think 30° in different directions, so when I'm washing something like a tractor, I don't have to lay under it. Just turn the head and hold it tight. I washed the bottom of my truck the other day to get all the road salt off and never got wet.

I am going to buy one for home use.

 

[CJM8515]

I have an older rigid 3000psi with subaru/robin engine. I cant complain at all. It starts up after 1-2 pulls everytime and is about 5 years old. Pressure is good, think 2.6 or 2.8 gallons per min. The pump crapped itself after a few years (likely due to mineral deposits in my water) but I got one from northern.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have done some research and found that the Comet or CAT pumps seem best, and Honda GX or equivalent motor is also best bet.

Can't miss with those combos !

 

[justme-]

Subaru/robyn are better than B&S of today but I wouldn't put them in Honda level. Cat pumps are the top of the line IME with Comet #2. Use the correct pump oil and keep it inside over the winter so it doesn't freeze and either brand will serve you well for many years.
Pressure is important but as said GPM makes a big difference. We use a 3000psi 2gpm unit to clean our rental equipment. Plenty of power. I got in a Northern (we're a warranty station for them) 3000 psi 4gpm unit in to fix the heat... WOW what a world of difference. Out performs out 4000 psi 3gpm units. Actually had to lean into the hose/gun against the pressure from the added flow.

I have to say Northern is made/assembled in the US, but they seem to have a high percentage of defectives compared to other brands. Infact I thought they were China made from that until very recently. IME it's hot pressure washers (hot side issues) and sprayers that we see for warranty issues.

 

[johndoe123123]

If I buy another water sprayer, it's going to have heat. Someday.

 

[IndyGarage]

Yeah the hot ones are way better - way more expensive too.


Almost 20 years ago I bought my first and still my favorite, pressure washer. 13 hp Honda GX engine with a General pump. It was expensive at the time, but I've used that thing for hundreds of hours and it's never given a moment's trouble.

At full bore it's difficult to hold onto when you pull the trigger. If you want less power you just idle down the engine.

A few years ago I adapted it to fit on a Mi T M portable hot washer set. That made it even better.

If you are buying one, definitely go for gas powered. I'd always buy a honda if you can. The GX is the best. There are washers with GC engines on them on lower priced units. I find that on those the pumps fail before the engine. I actually like the way the GC's run more than the GX's - they are quieter and easier to start.

 

[socjiuyon]

I would look into local access for Subaru engine parts before buying either of Ridgid units.

 

[bobcatdan]

Per the responses my thread on this topic got and my own research, its good money spent to buy a quality unit from a small engine shop. If your already to spend the money at Northern, your in the price range of a good unit from the dealer. I'm leaning towards an ariens/gravely unit which uses a Subaru.