Best pressure washer for the money?

[Soundguy]

yup.. a standard homeowner well and a 1/2" hose should move enough water for a electric job.

one good thing about electric is not having to deal with a carb every year at startup.

 

[mikim]

I recently bought a northstar at northern for about $450 -- 3000 psi and I'm happy with it. I bought a high pressure soap injector for it too -- not so satisfied with it.

 

[charles todd]

I looked at the box store units and also in Northern Tool. I almost bought a NorthStar washer till I saw the Yamaha PW3028.

3000 psi, 2.8 gpm

Yamaha engine, automatic idle (like a generator, welder, air compressor)
Cat pump
Foam filled tires
5 in 1 quick attach nozzle (takes other nozzles too)
Chemical tank (1 gal?)

Price was inline with NorthStar, but seemed more refined overall. The auto idle is SWEET and extends the 1.5 gal fuel tank run time.

CT

 

[roadhunter]

This thread reminds me of the welder threads going on. Got a few guy who claim the electric washers are worthless and others who say they dont' need a huge gas powered unit to knock the grass off the mower deck.

I've done some research and the sun joe electric washers seem to get the highest reviews on amazon.
Amazon.com : Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 PSI 1.76 GPM Electric Pressure Washer, 14.5-Amp : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[5030]

you are forgetting the subjective nature of 'the job'

if you are trying to strip paint from a sidewalk i'd go with the big one.

if my 'job' was to blow grass clippings off my mower deck.. then the 1200-1900 psi models are MORE than enough.

I've used large pressure washers. and they surely can take paint off!

in the wrong situation.. more is not better.

just rigth is best.

just right is based on the job.

Not everone has the same job.

ranges from cleaning off garden tools and a push mower deck, to cleaning heavy construction equipment

different jobs.. different machines.

can't lump them all together.

when you work on eye glasses you need teensy jewlers screwdrivers.. when you are breaking up side walks you use jack hammers.

different jobs.. different tools.

would you use a jackhammer on a pair of eyeglasses?[/QUOTE]

Some posters on here probably would......

 

[5030]

My suggestion is take a look at the HF gas powered 2800 psi cold washer. I bought one for less than 400 bucks. The predator engine is bulletproof, starts everytime on the second pull, the pump is a triplex piston pump with adjustable unloader and detergent siphon. I've had mine 4 years of tractors, mowers, bailers, cars and trucks, no issue. Bought a replacement pump just in case from Northern for 135 bucks. It's on the shelf.

I have a small Karcher 110 volt one as well. It works well too. Just don't quite have the guts for a mud job.

 

[mjarrels]

Be sure to read the fine print, my Northern $500 electric unit still is shiney new in the corner of the garage. Requires a dedicated 15 amp outlet which I don't have and I also don't have the water flow requirement to run the 1.7 gal per minute.

mark

 

[mikehaugen]

Be sure to read the fine print, my Northern $500 electric unit still is shiney new in the corner of the garage. Requires a dedicated 15 amp outlet which I don't have and I also don't have the water flow requirement to run the 1.7 gal per minute.

mark

Are you on a well? It doesn't produce 1.7gpm? That's surprising, I have no problem keeping up with my pressure washer's 5.6gpm.

 

[jwstewar]

I have a Campbell Hausfield gas pressure washer that I bought from Tractor supply probably 12 or 13 years ago. It is a 2400 PSI 2.4 GPM unit. It has been a great unit. I wash the house, tractor, and whatever else needs it. It will eat wood and concrete if you aren't careful with where you aim it. It will also cause the paint to lift off almost any surface it is aim at. It has a siphon on it to suck any chemical you desire to use. Usually starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull. I have no complaints with it. I used to use the "Pump Saver" antifreeze in it in the winter, but the last 2 or 3 years I switched over to RV antifreeze once the pump saver stuff got up to almost $10 per can and I have the RV antifreeze already. It works great. I believe I paid $299 for it.

 

[roadhunter]

Be sure to read the fine print, my Northern $500 electric unit still is shiney new in the corner of the garage. Requires a dedicated 15 amp outlet which I don't have and I also don't have the water flow requirement to run the 1.7 gal per minute.

mark

Something is wrong if you can't get 1.7 gallons per minute out of a water faucet. Most all 110v circuits are 15-20 amp so you should be able to plug in on any circuit as long as nothing else is using power on that circuit while you wash.