Pressure Washer Advice

TCowner · Apr 7, 2015

I recommend that you make sure you have enough water supply before you go to a pump bigger than 3 gpm. My waterlines to the garage were too small when we first built the house and I could barely get 3 gpm to the pressure washer. Consequently, it was constantly "starving" for water which gets rather annoying after while. When we moved the garage and attached it to the house we installed larger supply lines and we're fine now.

About the only time I have a problem now is when someone is showering and someone else running the washer. Of course, that seems to happen whenever I want to wash the tractor.

tow653 · Apr 7, 2015

Just got a Ridgid, from Home Depot. Has Cat pump and a Subaru engine. So far it seems to be a real quality piece of equipment.

PapaPerk · Apr 7, 2015

tow653 said:
Just got a Ridgid, from Home Depot. Has Cat pump and a Subaru engine. So far it seems to be a real quality piece of equipment.

Cool! Thank you for the feedback!

Zick · Apr 7, 2015

Another option is looking through craigslist for a used one.

I bought an older Dewalt PW with a Honda GX and CAT pump for about $300 and it works great.

MinnesotaEric · Apr 7, 2015

PapaPerk said:
Looking to buy a new pressure washer. Any one have any experience with a good quality unit?

I have been looking at a Northern Tool, NorthStar unit that is around $1,400. Hate to spend that much but I want quality... Which normally means Cat pump and honda engine.

I will be using washer for wide variety of tasks so adjustable pressure is really important

Thank you for any advice.

I have a Honda powered Karcher that I've been using for 6 years.

While I think the engine is a pile of poo, the Karcher stuff all seems pretty good. I've added quick disconnects to everything.

The reviews over at Amazon tell me that I'm lucky.

Amazon.com : Karcher G 2600 VH 2600PSI 2.3GPM Gas Pressure Washer : Patio, Lawn & Garden

kevinwak · Apr 14, 2015

My new washer came in today and my precious wife and boys picked it up. I tried it out when I got home from work and it felt awesome. I quickly washed my truck, in the dark. I will post pics and a review when days off come.

PapaPerk · Apr 15, 2015

kevinwak said:
My new washer came in today and my precious wife and boys picked it up. I tried it out when I got home from work and it felt awesome. I quickly washed my truck, in the dark. I will post pics and a review when days off come.

That's great! Looking forward to some pics! (0:

shallowwatersailor · May 1, 2015

A unit that probably would be probably passed on by most is the Harbor Freight 2500 psi pressure washer. I've had mine going on a fifth season now and it continues to work for me. I pressure wash my three decks, roof of the carport, and driveway every year. I also de-grease the tractors that I buy plus maintain the ones that do the work. It gets an oil change each year plus I've changed the pump oil twice. I calculate the use at about 30-35 hours a year. It didn't get an hour meter (wish I had installed one) as I never figured on this much use - and it surviving!

This past winter (-2 F on two mornings) due to lack of storage it ended up staying outside under cover. I had used a pump saver to evacuate the water but never ran the carb empty or fogged the engine. I took it out this week to use on my newest acquisition. All I did was add fresh gas to what was in the tank and expected to have to work at getting it started. Pulled it up on the compression stroke and pulled. Unbelievably it started on the first pull! I'm just amazed at how it: "Takes a beating, and keeps on ticking."

Wagtail · May 1, 2015

EricTheOracle said:
I have a Honda powered Karcher that I've been using for 6 years.

While I think the engine is a pile of poo, the Karcher stuff all seems pretty good. I've added quick disconnects to everything.

The reviews over at Amazon tell me that I'm lucky. [/url]

I've got an electric Karcher and it works brilliantly... the internal parts are brass. The reason I specifically went with that brand is that it's what the RAAF uses to wash down aircraft & such (not sure what the Fleet Air Arm or Army uses).