Gas or Electric Pressure Washer?

[ragkar]

If you buy used, be very careful as it's easy to damage the pump and that's very expensive. For instance, the water should not be shut off for more than thirty seconds or the pump will overheat.
Also it's not good enough to manually empty the pump before the water freezes. You have to add antifreeze using special aerosol cans.

 

[davitk]

If you buy used, be very careful as it's easy to damage the pump and that's very expensive. For instance, the water should not be shut off for more than thirty seconds or the pump will overheat.
Also it's not good enough to manually empty the pump before the water freezes. You have to add antifreeze using special aerosol cans.

Carve those words in stone. Before buying I watched Craig's List for awhile, lots of used units being sold.

 

[JSharp]

If you buy used, be very careful as it's easy to damage the pump and that's very expensive. For instance, the water should not be shut off for more than thirty seconds or the pump will overheat.
Also it's not good enough to manually empty the pump before the water freezes. You have to add antifreeze using special aerosol cans.

What is this aerosol antifreeze? Everyone I know just runs RV or some other kind of antifreeze through the unit and calls it good. Just like they do with spraying equipment...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I've got a 4500psi Citation w/17hp Honda and a 1500 psi electric Citation

The electric one is handy on those rare occasions when I need to use it indoors. Beyond that, I wouldn't trade the gasser for 10 electric washers. The gas gives me more mobility. I can transport a couple 55 gallon plastic drums full of water and use the gas washer whenever or where ever I so desire. No need for a cord or a generator.

There's good electric washer and bad, same as there's good gas washer and bad, but in general, most of the electric washers tend to be whimpy and short lived. Log 5 hours a year, and just about any of them will last. But use one long and hard and only the strong survive.

 

[WilliamBos]

What is this aerosol antifreeze? Everyone I know just runs RV or some other kind of antifreeze through the unit and calls it good. Just like they do with spraying equipment...

We have a rebadged Homelite, 7HP Subaru - 3100 PSI. In the manual it says to just pull the plug wire, and pull the cord a few times to purge the water before storage. Is their a type of antifreeze that could be put in the pump with out harm? Or just store it the way the MFG says??

Thanks,

Will

 

[JSharp]

We have a rebadged Homelite, 7HP Subaru - 3100 PSI. In the manual it says to just pull the plug wire, and pull the cord a few times to purge the water before storage. Is their a type of antifreeze that could be put in the pump with out harm? Or just store it the way the MFG says??

Thanks,

Will

I think draining the pump would be a good idea. Running something like this through it after getting the water out is what I was talking about.

PEAK RV & Marine Antifreeze

 

[davitk]

Here is what I plan to use (from Home Depot):

 

[ragkar]

I'd forgotten that part. Yes, disconnect the hoses and with the spark plug wire off (so it won't start) pull the starter cord about six times to mostly empty the pump.

Then take your aerosol can and screw the extension plug into the pump inlet. Depress the aerosol button until the fluid begins to exit.

I use a 6" 4oz can of Briggs&Stratton 'pressure washer pump saver' I got it at either home depot or Lowes in the pressure pump section of the store.

Or I suppose that you could move your pressure washer to your basement for the winter.

 

[kc5gxc]

I just bought a gas/Briggs engine small pressure washer. It was $200 total.
It works really well and has lots of pressure. Cleans grease off tractor great, but I spray the greasy stuff first(soap or little diesel or kerosine) and let soak. Think the name is Brute 1800??? Easy to start too.
Pete/MS

 

[JSharp]

Here is what I plan to use (from Home Depot):

I've not seen that but it certainly looks handy. Using common antifreeze or RV antifreeze was the advice I got from the local farmers who keep a lot of equipment in unheated buildings.