Recommend me a pressure washer.

[gsingh]

I need to get a pressure washer. Need it for cleaning the deck, front steps, walls of the house and cars.

Local HD wants $75 a day for rental. Can you suggest something decent. Budget is $500, $600 tops.

 

[Icky1911]

I bought a Homelite from Home Depot for under $200. It has a Honda engine and works perfect for: Decks, Concrete, Cars, Motorcycles, Vinyl Sideing, and Windows. It's a 2700 PSI/ 2.3 GPM unit. It comes with 4 hose adapters for cleaning. 0%, 25%, 40%, and a soap adapter. The Honda engine is what sold me. I service it every year and figure it will last a lifetime.

 

[dogdog]

I have the craftman with the B*S engine ones 2700 psi ish supposedly works fine for my needs., easy to services and tune, once you get used to it. Last week, saw the HD ones that says 3700 PSI used inventory on sale. looked more commercial duty, makes this craftman look cheap and cheesy. if you are blasting concrete , sidewalks, Graffiti off the walls, you wwill need more power.

 

[gsingh]

Thanks guys. I been looking at HD, but totally forgot Sears.

 

[dogdog]

check sams club....they have some 4000 psi ones at your price range. Honda engine.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/search...ressure+washer&fromHome=yes&_requestid=708310

at least from my experience.....
if you are just washing car, siding , electric ones worked fine actually preferred. less noisy..
if you are washing decks 2700 psi ones are fine higher power ones are faster and easier.
concrete and Graffiti get the > 3000 psi ones.

 

[southalabama]

Anything with a honda motor on it.

I got the one from SAMs with a honda motor

 

[Todd.Brock]

here's to another black max SAMs club special. Works fine 2x a year for last five years. We keep pump lube in the winter time and fanatical about not starting engine without water turned on. Not sure the motor is the issue. Usually the pump is what goes first. mine sometimes spits wihen you pull the trigger. Like it's not engaging or built up pressure. Still works.

 

[Flat-rate]

Check on the Northern site.

Two things that matter. First is a good long lasting engine. honda has the overhead cam timing belt in oil sump, or the OHV GX.

Second is the pump. That's where the bargain ones cheap out, what good is it.. if the pump lasts just past warranty.

I've have a few and the best money spent is the one with a quality pump.

Like this...

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200594734_200594734

 

[kctyphoon]

this will help you.. http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/

i have a john deere 3700 psi and the thing is great.. whats nice is if you stop using is for a minute, it will eject the water from the pump in order to prevent overheating and seizing. you can also adjust the pressure at the pump.. i got mine as a gift, so its not like i picked it out - but spend a little time on that site, and it will teach you the difference between the pumps and direct drive vs belt drive.. you have a good sized budget so im sure you can find something nice.. i believe the CAT pumps are the more deseriable ones..

important thing is every season i change the oil in the engine, and in the pump.. i make sure to flush out any water after each use just by pulling the pull start a few times, and spraying the quick connects with wd-40. i just bought a nice 50' hose off amazon with the fittings for like $75 shipped

Raptor Blast 4000 PSI BLACK Wire Braid Pressure Washer Hose 50' w/ Couplers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0053GICUG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0053GICUG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

just make sure when pulling the hose around it never touches the muffler or youll be in the market for another hose.. another MUST HAVE is the surface washer attachment for sidewalks and stuff.. its like going from a hammer to an air nailer..

 

[theoldwizard1]

First, volume (Gallons Per Minute - GPM), more important than pressure. You need > 2.0 GPM,

Two things that matter. First is a good long lasting engine. honda has the overhead cam timing belt in oil sump, or the OHV GX.

Second is the pump. That's where the bargain ones cheap out, what good is it.. if the pump lasts just past warranty.

Both statements are accurate. Stick with a name brand pump that you can get part for.

 

[gsingh]

okay, this is great info. question though, @Todd.Brock- what do you mean by pump lube in winter?

I am looking at the ones with honda motors. What name brand pumps should I look for? I know nothing about them(pumps).

 

[Todd.Brock]

Can't help with a good brand of pump. I bought the cheepo apparently! It's worked fine for last 5 years. It gets worked for hours on end a couple times a year.
Pump lube. -http://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-Pressure-Washer-Saver/dp/B0012VY200#immersive-view_1431374651426

 

[kctyphoon]

okay, this is great info. question though, @Todd.Brock- what do you mean by pump lube in winter?

I am looking at the ones with honda motors. What name brand pumps should I look for? I know nothing about them(pumps).

you can buy pump saver in HD.. all it is, is lube to coat the inside of the pump with while its being stored for the winter to prevent corrosion or seizure. the pump also has its own oil just like the engine that will need to be changed ocassionally. one of the best brands of pumps you can buy is CAT. seriously - spend some time on the site i posted and it will answer all your questions..

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Quick story, which contains good advice--

I went to Menards and bought their "biggest and bestest" and happened to catch it on sale--$389 for a Honda GKC motor, 3000PSI and 2.5 GPM. Those are the best numbers and motor for a "homeowner grade" washer. I was happy, but I needed a 50' hose for my needs. Menards doesn't sell one, but sent me to a place called "The Pressure Washer Warehouse" near Springfield. Drove there, walked in the door, and right inside the door they had a unit as the "monthly special" which was VERY similar to mine, except for two things--the pump manifold was solid brass (mine was crappy pot metal) and the price was $379.

I had used mine, so I couldn't (legitimately) take it back. Now my manifold is leaking where the hose hooks on, as it is disintegrating. For ten bucks less I could have had a better one.

As with many things, I would strongly suggest going to a specialty store rather than the big box stores.

 

[tarbellb]

If the "pump lube" is anything like a airless paint sprayer then its very (very) close to your typical anti-freeze.

My buddy did a bit of research and found the ingredients to be the same at a 1/10th the cost.

- oh no advice on the washer other then my other friends Craftsman low tier electric washer was pretty miserable to use.

 

[JonnyMac]

Karcher