Pressure Washer Recommendations

In addition to that, the pump also spins slower, so less wear on the pump. Another benefit of that is one can let it sit in bypass (w/o trigger pulled) longer as the water will not build up as much heat as fast as a direct drive will. I believe mine is half....so the pump is spinning half the speed the engine is at all times. <edit> Just found my notes. My pump sees a 0.44 reduction per when I measured it.

-WHY BELT DRIVE?-

I also found this comparing all three types of drive systems. Personally, I'd go with a belt drive in a commercial application, but that's just me. Hell, it's what I wanted in a homeowner application. LOL

Belt Drive Vs Direct Drive VS Gear Driven Pressure washers

I'm starting to use my good belt driven power washer more now that I discovered CarPro HydrO2. I just bought a 40° 7.0 tip for it so I can run it at full throttle to achieve full flow through the pump but at lower pressures for car washing purposes. According to the nozzle chart, I should be right around 1,300psi with a 7.0 nozzle at full throttle/flow.

Not my identical model, as mine has a CAT pump and my unit is rated at 4,000psi/4.0GPM (actually tests out at about 4,600psi/4.3GPM @3,630 engine rpms loaded with the OEM 4.0 nozzle. With a 5.5 nozzle, it does 2,800 psi/4.6GPM @3,800 engine rpm), but here's the belt system and reduction.

 

We are waffling between Vortexx 4000XG
and Vortexx 4000HD not sure the extra $500 is justifiable for us...it won't get used that much...I personally would prefer a belt drive if not going with a direct

 

I'm not sure why one wouldn't go belt over gear. Gear just seems like more wear parts to me and probably more maintenance....gear oil? I guess so is a belt, but belts are cheap/easy to replace and the fact they spin the pump much slower is a huge benefit for long term pump wear. I'm guessing gear ones also have a reduction though...? I went belt simply because of the reduction.

I would also add a pressure relief valve, in case the unloader fails. It will save the pump. I added one to both of mine.

They need to update their webpage. The descriptions don't match what's above it, on both of those models. I'm not sure what is right...?

 

The reason they don't recommend a belt drive one is because they don't offer one. They offer their gear ones as the one to choose for heavy use, as they do reduce pump speed by half.


These guys give you many more options in cold water ones.
Cold Water High Pressure Washers for Commercial/Industrial Use

 

Purchasing recommended talking to another dealer...so the hunt is still on

 

I have a Ryobi with a Honda engine and metal pump that works pretty good. The main thing to remember is to use pump lube and anti freeze after each use.

 

I have a Simpson with the Honda motor…..no issues and very happy with it. Father in law has a stihl with the Kohler motor……I’ve used it before I got mine and it works well. FIL seems happy with it as well.

 

Ended up going with this model BE Power Equipment - B4013HACS Honda Pressure Washer

 

Late to the game here but....belt drive is a far superior design. Gear drive with little gears a pulsating prime mover and a pulsating load coupled with a mouthful of oil is not a good design.
Did some work on a car wash that had been expanded. The old side had belt driven pumps and seal life is around 8ish years but the new direct drive side is lucky to make a year.

 

I was looking at going belt drive, but then we finally sat back and thought about it a lil more...this thing likely will only average 20 hours per year run time...decided that good enough, is good enough.
This one was a good $1000, headed toward half price of a gear, and especially so a belt drive unit...no idea why a belt drive costs more than a gear drive...other than its "the best one" and therefore people expect to pay more for the best.

 

My guess is the labor cost. More fiddly bits on a belt drive to assemble, line up, tension get the guard on ect.
Vs slip together with locating bosses, no guard ect