Power Washers?

What kind to buy? I'm looking in the 3200 psi range.

Stihl is out of my budget. Husqvarna looks to be in line with the budget and it comes with a 30' hose, 5' longer than most. But I don't know about the Briggs motor. I know that back in the day they were good but I don't know about now.

Then there's Simpson from Sam's. It has a pretty good rating on Amazon but if there is a problem, customer service is almost nonexistant. It comes with a Honda motor, ya can't go wrong with that.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

I have a Generac. Don't know how many years I have had it, 15? Honda GC motor, 2400 psi, paid $400. Still works well.

 

DON'T buy the Stihl .... the pumps are made by Gauran (sp?) in China.

These days Briggs is made in China, too.

Get a unit with a Honda engine and a horizontal pump that's made in America. Use pump oil in between uses and the machine will last for many years.

 

Your discription of what to buy sounds like the Simpson. As I remember it has that type of pump. Thanks.

 

I've had a Karcher/Honda unit for about 8+ years now. Simple unit but still running strong. Just figured out how to use the soap/suds option


Consider modifying or getting a second wand that is short with the quick connect tip. I made one like this and barely ever use the long wand anymore. Much more convenient and easier to get into those had to reach areas like wheel wells.

 

Beware any non brass pump heads/fittings. They will draw lime. Get as high of GPM as you can, the pressure rating is less important. Never let the pump run for more than half a minute with the gun 'closed'.

 

I have a Yamaha that is well built, uses a CAT pump. The throttle is tied to the pump controls, so it's at idle when the lever is closed, full throttle when open. I think I paid $650 for it. My dealer sells Yamaha the most, but he also carries pressure washers from northern tool and he said they are good units. Customers are happy with them and don't have problems with them.

 

Supposedly the pump and kohler motor have a higher build standard according to my Stihl dealer. Stihl gave them specs/quality requirements to meet compared to the regular offerings from those companies. Take it for what it is, could be blowing smoke.

 

I paint houses as a summer job, so I use powerwashers for extended amounts of time which can be pretty hard on them. I'm on my second powerwasher over 15 years. 1st on was had s Honda Moter and 2400 psi, lasted about 10 years then blow up. Replaced it with a Generac 3200 which has searved me well for 5 years. I like the extra psi and "never flat tires" only down side is that it's a pretty heavy and large machine so it's a little cumbersome to move around.
If/when I need a new one I will compair a Genrrac 3200 and a Simpson 3200 with a Honda engine.

I would stay away from Stihl for now just because they are new and untested and seem pretty expensive.

 

IME, the karacher, with Honda motors work great, thing to be careful of is the pumps. Especially if you have a well and hard water!! Pumps die, cheaper to buy another one used, Craig's list the Honda motor you just about break even.. I'm on #4

 

I have a couple of wands where my 2400 psi isn't enough operate them correctly so stay with 3200 psi. unit should also include an unloader valve for when you are not actively releasing pressure via the wand- not all have that. Spend money on the pump- engines are not that big a deal. Seems like every eng company has a quality line and a made to break line , Honda being no exception.

 

All pressure washing pumps have some sort of unloader. Some machines refer to this as the 'pressure adjustment valve', which it is...but it isn't (should not really be messed with once factory set). I prefer the ones that are removable, not built into the pump head. The unloader will be the part to fail 50% of the time on a washer, with stuck/clogged check valves in second, and burnt/damaged packings in third.

As far as not releasing pressure, the unloader will go into 'recirculation' mode. This can only go on for a few seconds (30-45) before the water in the pump can get hot enough to damage packings or melt valve cages. Reason being, even though theres 'cold' water from the garden hose attached to the pump, it is only using the water that the pump can hold and recirculating it back through the pump over and over until the wand is triggered again. Heat is bad for a pump. This is why all the hot water units heat the water *after it has been pressurized by the pump. If the bypass on a pump runs back to a tank, rather than back into the pump, you can get away with walking away from the wand for extended periods, due to fresh cool water being recirculated from the reservoir through the pump.

An easy way to tell if the pump is a quality unit: It will have ceramic pistons.

 

I’m thinking I read in another thread here that gpm is an important measure, in addition to psi. Is that so, and if yes, what to look for?

Edit: here we go... Need advice on pressure washer

 

We sell vortex and while not the cheapest, it's 100% serviceable, using quality components, and will outlast you in the 3000 psi category.

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Annovi Reverberi pumps... Professional 3000 model looks built right...solid machine there.

I actually prefer General brand pumps over all others. AR & Cat are good as well, but they do make some 'consumer grade' pumps for the box store market.