Gasoline Powered Pressure Washer advice

[Jeff Lary]

Yes my contractor uses a Suburu Robin generator 10 hrs a day 5 days a week and it NEVER misses a beat great engines.They run 2 3/4 drive inmact whenchs and charge 3 or 4 battery drill/driver batterys.

 

[ovrszd]

I've got one from Northern tools with the honda motor. 3500psi and no problems with it for the last 3 years. Had a similar one from Northern Tools but 2500psi. It worked great also until someone else decided they needed it more than me.

I've also got a Northern Tool washer, 3500 psi, 2.5 gpm. Honda engine, Cat pump. I like it just fine. I added a soap dispenser to the inlet hose so it'll soap under pressure, good addition. The Honda engine is the easiest starting engine I've ever used. Great little engine, GX model, but can't remember the size exactly. I think I paid $700 or somewhere close to that.

 

[J_J]

ovrszd,

Your pump needs about 6 HP to put out that volume and pressure.

 

[AKfish]

The pump engine is important... and the pump itself. Most folk's here responded in similar notes on those elements.

Honda and Suburu. CAT and Bertonulli (sp).

I have noted that many of the power washers on the market ADVISE or warn users not to shut off the spray wand while the engine/pump is running. Venturing an educated guess here... based upon the fact that my washer blew the clutch all over the garage floor -- the clutch is the weakest link!

Engines and pumps don't seem to be the least reliable components in many of the most popular power washers on the market.

My question is this -- what is the difference in the clutch assembly between the homeowner model versus the commercial duty power washers?

(Sorry if this is a right turn in the OP's post.) Thanks.

AKfish

 

[Gale Hawkins]

May be just because we are poor but I have yet to have a B&S engine out of many fail in over 50 years of use. I do know they fail but I just have not seen that. They have ranged from 3 HP to 27 HP.

I know B&S sell their line of Power Equipment with Honda engines too because some will pay the premium. For home and farm use B&S seems fine for me IF you use Sea Foam because they set so much.

The Generac generator I bought three days ago has gas from 2009 in the tank but the owner treated it with Sea Foam. It looks very yellow and the shut off to the carb has been open for over two years and it still starts and runs fine on the old gas.

 

[ddivinia]

I have one from HOme Depot a XR2600 I think with the Honda engine. The pump failed last year and I put an aftermarket one instead of rebuilding the original one. 5 years on a pump - I can live with that. I believe the new one will last a lot longer.

D.

 

[deereman75]

you might want to look at one of the industrial electric models, with a proper belt drive pump and a big induction motor. I would probably chose one over a gas one, because a baldor induction motor will always start up perfectly with just the flip of a switch. They are also quieter, and more eco freindly.

Also a hot water power washer is alot better for removing grease and oil then a cold water one. I have used an electric hot water power washer to clean a trailer covered in oil with a bunch of greasy engines on it, and it was very easy, much faster then cold water.

 

[oldballs]

May be just because we are poor but I have yet to have a B&S engine out of many fail in over 50 years of use. I do know they fail but I just have not seen that. They have ranged from 3 HP to 27 HP.

I know B&S sell their line of Power Equipment with Honda engines too because some will pay the premium. For home and farm use B&S seems fine for me IF you use Sea Foam because they set so much.

The Generac generator I bought three days ago has gas from 2009 in the tank but the owner treated it with Sea Foam. It looks very yellow and the shut off to the carb has been open for over two years and it still starts and runs fine on the old gas.

:thumbsup:Me too! I've got B & S engines that are 35 years old (8 HP ...5 HP...3 HP) and they still run faithfully without overhaul, but good maintenance. I don't think my latest 11 HP is as well built as the older models, but I won't be around in another 35 years to see. My Honda 6 HP GX is really nice too.

 

[Jeff Lary]

My wife just called and told me that Lowe's has a Troy Bilt 2600 psi washer on sale with a Honda engine.I went to Lowes site and read the reviews first 4 or 5 are very poor.Say the pump quits after a few hours use,I looked at the specs and it has an Axiel Cam pump.I thought that I read that this is a good pump? Do you guys put any stock in reviews? most say good motor, cheep pump.Most say they can not believe that Lowes sells such a poor product. We need a washer for our fence and decks want to spend around $400.00 Is there any hope of getting a decent washer? Any opinions welcome.Thanks .Jeff

 

[Jeff Lary]

Well we bought one today I hope it turns out to be ok. Actually it is the one advertized on this site. It is a Homelite 2700 with Honda engine. I had to order it as they were all out. I choose it from the reviews on the Home Depot site. So I'll have to wait to see.