Anyone debate buying vs renting a pressure washer?

[lostcreekranch]

Well, look at it this way.... if you only use it one day per year, you could rent one every year for 12.3 years for $800.00 and never have to maintain it ever, never.

The rentals outfits don't maintain them either, ever, never.

 

[MossRoad]

The rentals outfits don't maintain them either, ever, never.

Seems to be the truth.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Don't be fooled by the PSI marketing hype. Funny, how they never mention the important stuff, like VOLUME! I use a 1000 or so PSI unit with a CAT pump, that I wouldn't trade for anything, except wish it had the 220 volt, 2HP motor as opposed to 110V which barely runs on a 15 amp circuit..

 

[4570Man]

Don't be fooled by the PSI marketing hype. Funny, how they never mention the important stuff, like VOLUME! I use a 1000 or so PSI unit with a CAT pump, that I wouldn't trade for anything, except wish it had the 220 volt, 2HP motor as opposed to 110V which barely runs on a 15 amp circuit..

For the same reason leaf blowers always use MPH, and shopvacs always use HP. My backpack blower can't provide any more MPH over a handheld blower, but is pushing about 600 CFM vs about 200 CFM. Guess which one moves more leafs. My dust collector has a 1.5 motor and moves about 1100 CFM vs a shopvac which is "rated" at like 6 hp, but going by amp draw it could produce about 1.5 hp and moves about 200 CFM. Guess which one sucks more dirt.

 

[5030]

Don't be fooled by the PSI marketing hype. Funny, how they never mention the important stuff, like VOLUME! I use a 1000 or so PSI unit with a CAT pump, that I wouldn't trade for anything, except wish it had the 220 volt, 2HP motor as opposed to 110V which barely runs on a 15 amp circuit..

+1.

I always look at GPM versus PSI. A 4000 psi unit that puts out a piddle stream of jet powered water is about as good as nothing..... well, might be good for water sawing lumber, but thats about it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Maybe forget the specs entirely. The harder the thing is to hang onto when you pull the trigger, the better! Volume with some reasonable amount of pressure equals cleaning efficiency.

 

[5030]

Maybe forget the specs entirely. The harder the thing is to hang onto when you pull the trigger, the better! Volume with some reasonable amount of pressure equals cleaning efficiency.

Sounds like my HF cheapie gas powered washer. I changed the tip angle with a brass street L and short nipple to attach the QC tip adapter. Fired it up and squeezed the trigger and the recoil, well it almost got away from me.... My goal was to be able to wash off the undersides of our vehicles to remove road sale and mud/dirt. We live on a dirt / mud road depending on precipitation.

Best 250 bucks I ever spent. I believe it's 3000 psi and 3gpm. 3 years and running strong. Hard to fault a Pred (Lifan) engine and hard to beat the cheap axial plunger pump either. Bought a spare (pump) from Northern just in case but it's still in the box, on the shelf.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I too live on a gravel road. I bought a gutter style curved wand to try and spray out the fender wells but can't say it was a success. Too hard to hang onto and too easy to blast yourself in the face.

 

[5030]

I too live on a gravel road. I bought a gutter style curved wand to try and spray out the fender wells but can't say it was a success. Too hard to hang onto and too easy to blast yourself in the face.

I feel your pain or should I say wet face...lol

Why I went with a Street Ell, and short nipple to adapt the the QC tip holder to the end of the wand. That way, I can rest the end of the wand (where the Street Ell connects to the wand itself), on the concrete pad while I spritz the undersides of the vehicles and let the wand take the recoil pressure, all I do is guide it along. It also works great for the backside of wheel wells behind the tires.

I actually copied what the Blue Beacon truck washes use for their wash wands (just a much shorter straight pipe as I'm not washing 13'6" trailers. They all use a straight tube, Street Ell and tip adapter but unlike the Beacon, I wanted the ability to exchange spray tips for different applications. The Beacon uses only one spray pattern tip/

A while ago at the Beacon, I asked if I could see their pump room and I was allowed. They use both AR pumps and CAT and have a rebuild / refit schedule they adhere to plus they have a couple pumps on the shelf (rebuilt) to go online if a pump fails in operation.

 

[sixdogs]

Well, I'm going to try to buy one with a cat pump, Honda engine and get it mail order. After searching a bit the brand name Sampson keeps coming up as does the company name Pressure Washers Direct. I can also buy some Sampson from Home Depot and Lowes plus there must be other sellers on EBAY or Amazon.

This model comes to mind at $739.
Simpson ALH3228-S Professional 3200 PSI Gas - Cold Water Aluminum Frame Pressure Washer w/ Honda Engine & CAT Pump

Any thoughts on those from those more knowledgeable?