Pressure Washer

[6sunset6]

I need a bigger one. I have 9000 sf of patio blue stone and underground gutter run off pipes to clean. Plus the cedar siding on the house. The PW I have is 500 psi 1.5 gpm. I need (want) 4000 psi at 4.5 gpm. ( Thats 10 hp).
Too big for an electric motor 1 ph and I hate gas engines. I only limit myself to 4000 psi because that is what all my hoses are rated at. So for those of you you have watched me calculate the pros and cons of using tractor power for attachments, while the log splitter failed the test ( need the tractor for transport when splitting and I need a lifter), the logging winch passed. The pressure washer seems like it would like tractor power. ( relatively short use once or twice a year and don't need the tractor when pressure washing). Tractor has 10 hp at rear aux and 27 hp at pto. As much as I like hydraulics This would be a pretty high speed motor , at least 1000 rpm and probably faster 1750 . Would probably be new and pricey, although I have not looked. The PTO looks better. Northern Tool has a unit ready to go at $1700 plus shipping About $100. Why it has to go truck freight is beyond me, it weighs 66# and could brake down . It is drop shipped from the factory.
It is made by Comet. They attach the pump to a gearbox that will run off 540 rpm PTO . On a 3 point frame , no PTO shaft, which looks like 1 3/8 x 6 so maybe another $150 . Comet also makes an adapter that would allow the same unit to run off a mid PTO at 1000 rpm. I like to squeeze the nickle till the Buffalo poops(splitter 4k build vs 13k plus buy. logging winch was about half). So I looked at building my own but the pump itself is around $1000 then a relief valve , gage speed increaser of some sort and frame to put it on starts to get close to the purchase price new. I looked at mid point 1000 rpm with a pump to match but derating the pump rpm required a bigger pump plus longer pto shaft and then mounting ( QA would be a bad idea) cost comes up to the same as the Northern unit. So if I am going to to this I would be looking at that unit. But how come nobody else has one like this?

 

[mikehaugen]

why the hatred for gas engine? I realize they are a little bit of a hassle sometimes, but you could get what you want for half the price and not have to tie-up your tractor or swap implements. I bought a used corty pressure washer with 18hp kohler magnum that puts out 3500 psi at 5.6 gpm for $300.

btw... 10hp is not too big for 1ph, Surplus Center - 10 HP 230 VAC 1740 RPM MOTOR
of course this wouldn't be too mobile.

this comes close Pressure-Pro EE3540A - Professional 4000 PSI (Electric-Cold Water) Pressure Washer

or how about this (diesel) Your Shopping Cart

ok so maybe that last one may be a little pricey

 

[6sunset6]

why the hatred for gas engine? I realize they are a little bit of a hassle sometimes, but you could get what you want for half the price and not have to tie-up your tractor or swap implements. I bought a used corty pressure washer with 18hp kohler magnum that puts out 3500 psi at 5.6 gpm for $300.

btw... 10hp is not too big for 1ph, Surplus Center - 10 HP 230 VAC 1740 RPM MOTOR
of course this wouldn't be too mobile.

this comes close Pressure-Pro EE3540A - Professional 4000 PSI (Electric-Cold Water) Pressure Washer

or how about this (diesel) Your Shopping Cart

ok so maybe that last one may be a little pricey

I find gas engines hard to start after not running for a year. Although I run my 2 cycles (4) dry and don't seem to have problems starting. A 10 hp 1ph electric motor draws 44 A very expensive extention cord. But I am still thinking.
The surplus center motor is over $1000 coupled ( no pun intended) with a $1000 pump Well you see $$$
I agree a gas fired unit is the most economical .

 

[Bigfoot62]

Yes, I can read, but I don't get it. Why not a gas-powered unit? They work well, and you cannot get that kind of cleaning power from an electric. Also, Mike makes a great point about not tying up your tractor to use the washer.
We bought the big one from Sams 4000psi and 4gpm. Honda engine that's never given a problem.

On edit:
I was typing as you were answering my question.
I have a suggestion for you:
Buy non-ethanol gasoline and always use STA-BIL Shut off the gas and run the carb dry before storing.
BTW, it sounds like you intend to use the PW more than once a year anyway. ???

 

[6sunset6]

Yes, I can read, but I don't get it. Why not a gas-powered unit? They work well, and you cannot get that kind of cleaning power from an electric. Also, Mike makes a great point about not tying up your tractor to use the washer.
We bought the big one from Sams 4000psi and 4gpm. Honda engine that's never given a problem.

Hmmm $900 How can they do that for that little $$$. Engine plus pump plus other stuff. The engine is $750 from Northern.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Hmmm $900 How can they do that for that little $$$. Engine plus pump plus other stuff. The engine is $750 from Northern.

I don't know how, but they do it. And, I'm telling you it works. Ours has a different label on it and a red paint job on the frame, but it's basically the same unit, and basically the same price. I think we paid about $1000 (after taxes) for ours about 10 or 12 years ago.

BTW, I keep saying "we" and "ours" because 3 of us share the PW. (me and two cousins, both neighbors) It really gets a workout.

 

[6sunset6]

This Simpson unit is sold all over place at box stores. Low cost for sure but what about repairs. A lot of time as soon as the repair depots see the model no they say we don't even handle parts for that model. Or at least that is what I have been told . My 2 cycle stuff is Stihl and Husky from dealers and there is absolutely no problem with service and parts. I looked at the Comet pump on the PTO unit and it is a monster, their premium line. I assume the gear box is the same and both are bullet proof. But then again you have had really good luck with the box store unit. I have had a Honda generator for 30 years that , up till a year ago , started with one pull always, I always tried to run it dry when I was done with it. I forgot a couple of times and the tank pin holed out and the jets clogged. It seems the jets clog always now. That was not a box store unit either.
So with gas engines, 2 cycles which are easy to empty and run dry and don't take much gas anyway are not too bad, I can keep a gallon of premix around and that will handle any emergency. But 4 cycles take more fuel and run longer. Have to keep 5 gal around and dump it in the car when I change the clocks. IF I remember, then I forget to get more. Not such a big deal for a PW but a really big deal for a generator. If I got another generator I would get a propane unit. I have a 500 gal tank . But off track here. I put this in attachments because that's where I was going but perhaps it should have been in Rural Living. Then of course there is the CFO who knows when I type a lot I am probably going to spend $$$. Bummer.
There is no non ethanol gas around here except 100 octane at the airport for who knows how much $$ and I am not even sure how to see anyone about buying it. Air port is all fenced off with big signs about bad things.

 

[Steave]

If I could make a suggestion, maybe you could find a propane powered engine and build your own and since you already have your hoses maybe save a buck. I would guess the engine and pump would get back to the original price of the PTO powered pump though but at least you'd have the best of both worlds, portable and no clogged carb.

 

[flyingcow]

I run a Karcher 4 gals a minute, 2000psi, plugged into 220. Works great. Plus i have 200ft of hose. but it was pricey, i use it in my truck garage.

 

[flyingcow]

FWIW- your going to do some damage(if you're not very careful) with what you want to buy(4000 psi). It will peel your siding off if you get close to it. Anything loose on the ground will blow away.