Pressure washer pump?

[SPYDERLK]

That's kinda what I was thinking...but I guess I don't know enough about it. They say you can use a smaller engine than 14hp and get less output...but I was wondering if the engine would stall. They probably mean more like 12hp.


In the manual it says something about the pump being oilless and "not repairable" or something like that. That's why I want to buy a higher quality rebuildable pump this time. I think they're only supposed to last a couple hundred hours at the most, but mine doesn't even have that much time on it...

Unless you are commercial or have a big project 200hrs is going to take a lot of calender time to accumulate. I have 2 pressure washers - one cheap sealed Karcher [that does have oil] and the other a #67546 Horrible Feight model. Both were $300 items. The Karcher is 5.5HP -2.5GPM@ 2500. The HF is6.5HP -3GPM@ 2800psi. Both are good, but I would recommend the HF. It has an oil fill hole and dipstick as well as an adjustable output pressure valve. It is new and bought with only the standard 90 warrantee since I knew i had a big project that would tell me what I had in just a few days. Ive put 12+hrs on it continuous wide open, full pressure ... running the tank dry and refilling repeatedly while preparing a 1600sqft floor for sealing - in the stubborn places using the narrow spray tip I was actually eroding the concrete. I have never run a sustained maximum demand on the Karcher like this. The HF acts the same as the day it was 1st started. I checked and added an ounce of engine oil. No pump oil.
If the output seems like it would be enuf for your projects, I recommend you try it.
larry

 

[JPinnell]

Also check the bolt mounting circle and shaft size on that larger pump. It may not mount to the smaller 5.5hp honda. Somewhere around the 8hp size the motors output shaft jumps up a notch from 5/8" to 3/4" or similar. I researched this a couple years back when I had a similar issue. My thinking was I still had a good motor and a larger/better pump run at a lower output should last longer. When you factor in the cost of an adapter in the end it's cheaper/easier to just buy a new unit. Either step up to a "better" complete pressure washer for $4-500 if your needs dictate it and keep the spare motor for a gocart or wood splitter project. Or buy the correct replacement pump for the unit you have for around $150 and swap out the bad pump.

 

[zmoz]

This is one of the smaller pumps I was thinking about:
Small Engine Warehouse: 2850HOR-Cat - Cat
They say 6.5hp but I think my 5.5 would be close enough with the pressure turned down a hair.

$200 shipped ain't bad is it? I think it *should* bolt right onto my engine.

My other problem is that out at my shop where I sometimes use it, the water supply from the hose is only about 3GPM at best. If I get a pump bigger than that then I have to add an extra water tank too...

I am starting to lean towards a cheap HF type for now and then another higher output a little later. I am surprised to hear the HF unit has an oiled pump...