Need help choosing between these two pressure washers.

sixdogs · May 30, 2016

More good advice. Thanks again. I have learned a great deal about pressure washers from this and another thread I started.

One question that has come up is to use soft water and also to use water that has gone through a filter for a pressure washer. Apparently, hard or unfiltered water can affect pump life. I can use soft filtered water from the garage for this but would prefer to use an outside faucet with unfiltered harder water. Anyone see a problem with this?

Also, how big of a problem is pump cavitation? I'm going to check the flow from the hose at it's longest length but surely think I have more than 3.5 GPM from a 1HP well pump and 60 foot well.

bigtiller · May 30, 2016

I would go with the Honda/Cat and buy another 25' of hose. Connect the 2 hoses with a swiveling union so the hose doesn't twist up into a wad as easy.

Also, I would like to have a little more GPM but that is what makes power washers expensive. Mine is only 2gpm and i sure would like to have more someday.

Code54 · May 30, 2016

Also, how big of a problem is pump cavitation? - A big one honestly. That is what kills pumps, some pumps will handle it better then others but is a GOOD idea to check your flow. One place i use mine flows around 3.5 - 4.0 gpm, I run a 4.0 gpm so I have a buffer tank that I hook between by washer and my spigot. A little more effort BUT it assures that me that I don't run low on water flow. With the 2.5 gpm I would think you will be fine- that is under what most people get. Just stick a 5 gallon bucket under the spigot and turn it on for 1 minute to get a quick and easy idea of what your flow is. Also don't forget that is someone else is home and turns the washer on then flushes the toilet it can seriously reduce your flow and cause cavitation (you may have a buffer tank already if your running on a well that will help reduce this issue greatly) I have city water and run a buffer tank due to being so far off the main line and it helps a ton when a lot of things pull water at once.
Hard water is not great - but you can run an inline filter and clean up those issues..... Check your flow after installing the filter to make sure it is passing enough water.
On that note, also watch using "quick connects" - while they are handy most reduce your water flow a good bit so always check your flow as you are planning on hooking it up - after filters, after connections, etc...
With the knowledge that is being shared by everyone here you will end up with a good unit that will provide years and years of service!

sixdogs · May 30, 2016

Code54...thank you. I checked my flow today at the end of a 50 ft hose and had almost 5 GPM. I'm going to try to get the smaller unit@2.5 GPM tomorrow with a 50 ft hose rather than the 25 ft one it comes with. If I can't get a low buck swap out on a 50 ft hose I'm going to order the 4000 psi unit with 3.3 GPM flow rate. I should be OK with that. I really want a CAT pump but this other pump gets great reviews and I have faith in Simpson so...

My thinking is that I get a big boost in PSI for $95, after taxes. It allows me to clean faster and have the extra PSI if I need it.

Rustyiron · May 30, 2016

I built a (commercial) carwash and all the equipment used *Cat pump's. Rebuildable, but I'm not sure it's necessary for a home situation.

* fwiw, Cat pump's is not Caterpillar.

Code54 · May 30, 2016

Your welcome - if you need anything else just ask!
By the way 5.0 is good flow so you should be set

MX Dad · May 30, 2016

Have any of you guys tried that Turbo Tip? Any success with that thing? I have heard people say it works really well but havent tried it yet. I think they cost like $ 40.00 or so.

bdog · May 31, 2016

Something else to add is how is the thing built? Some pressure washers appear that it would be very easy to replace the pump or the engine if either went bad. Others seem so compact and integrated that it would be difficult to do. On my current pressure washer it appears it would be very easy to replace anything but on my old craftsman one it broke and I wasn't even going to attempt to fix it.

sixdogs · May 31, 2016

MX Dad said:
Have any of you guys tried that Turbo Tip? Any success with that thing? I have heard people say it works really well but havent tried it yet. I think they cost like $ 40.00 or so.

I have only read about them but have searched considerably and read glowing praise. Everyone seemed to love them, said they did a terrific job and not to even bother with the nozzles the unit comes with. You have to order the psi that matches your unit and can order the Simpson one from Home Depot or Lowes for around $30. It's on my list.

Shop SIMPSON Universal Turbo Nozzle for Cold Water Pressure Washers at Lowes.com