pressure washers ??

[coobie]

Is it something in your water causing this problem??

Particularly hard water lots of calcification,lime etc...this sounds possible, if there is lots of dry time between uses....I dunno

Try a hi-flow filter before the pump??

No hard water or build up.I have checked the screens before on the power washer wands and they are clean.I have good well water,my well was dug in 1994.

 

[jeffinsgf]

You are correct assuming the pressure is not adjustable via any other means than changing the nozzles. Line pressure is always the same but by spreading it from say, 0 degrees to 25 degrees by changing the nozzles reduces the pressure at the work surface.

Not necessarily. My Briggs & Stratton pressure washer has an adjustable pressure regulator in addition to a variety of nozzles.

B&S Pro Pressure Washer

This is a newer model, but pretty much the same as mine. It has been bulltetproof for 5 years. Easiest starting 4 cycle engine I've ever owned.

 

[DK35vince]

Not necessarily. My Briggs & Stratton pressure washer has an adjustable pressure regulator in addition to a variety of nozzles.

B&S Pro Pressure Washer

This is a newer model, but pretty much the same as mine. It has been bulltetproof for 5 years. Easiest starting 4 cycle engine I've ever owned.

I have the same pressure washer (B&S pro 3400).
Works good, I like it. And it does have adjustable pressure and came with several differant nozzles.

 

[DVR]

i used to rep for alto-simpson and mi-t-m pressure washers.

the reason is you are buying a cheap homeowner pump. I know this for a fact from the prices you listed.

just a few guesses:
likely bought from a discount or big box store.
you shopped solely on hp/psi
most likely a honda engine made you feel safe they can be paired with any pump.

the homeowner machines (pumps) are typically designed to last 80 hours. they have done exhausting research to determine the average user will never hit that mark.
cheap pumps do not have unloader valves. this means when you are not pulling the trigger on the gun the pump is recirculating the water it holds. this builds heat very quickly and heat kills pumps. if you are not spraying water through a cheap washer you need to turn it off. start them holding the trigger with the water hose turned on. it only takes seconds running dry to damage a cheap pump.

bottom line- you need a pro machine. 3000psi models start in the $800 range. best place to find them is a paint store that caters to the professional trade. there are some nice direct drive machine on lightweight aluminum carts.

if longevity is a big deal to you consider a belt drive machine. i made a prior post (in this forum) with some infomation about direct drive vs. belt drive.

if i can help let me know.

 

[coobie]

i used to rep for alto-simpson and mi-t-m pressure washers.

the reason is you are buying a cheap homeowner pump. I know this for a fact from the prices you listed.

just a few guesses:
likely bought from a discount or big box store.
you shopped solely on hp/psi
most likely a honda engine made you feel safe they can be paired with any pump.

the homeowner machines (pumps) are typically designed to last 80 hours. they have done exhausting research to determine the average user will never hit that mark.
cheap pumps do not have unloader valves. this means when you are not pulling the trigger on the gun the pump is recirculating the water it holds. this builds heat very quickly and heat kills pumps. if you are not spraying water through a cheap washer you need to turn it off. start them holding the trigger with the water hose turned on. it only takes seconds running dry to damage a cheap pump.

bottom line- you need a pro machine. 3000psi models start in the $800 range. best place to find them is a paint store that caters to the professional trade. there are some nice direct drive machine on lightweight aluminum carts.

if longevity is a big deal to you consider a belt drive machine. i made a prior post (in this forum) with some infomation about direct drive vs. belt drive.

if i can help let me know.

I have been doing some research on pumps,which one is better cat or comet pumps?Thanks.coobie

 

[DVR]

both make good pumps.
general is another brand to check out.

 

[coobie]

both make good pumps.
general is another brand to check out.

Great information,Thanks.coobie.

 

[crbr]

I have encountered the same problem. After searching and searching I have decided it would be best to go with a professional model. In my case the Northern Tool 2750 psi with Honda motor and a Cat pump. I have yet to talk to someone who has not been impressed with the Cat pumps durability. I feel that the extended durability of it will make up for the much greater cost.

Cat pump and a 13HP Honda engine here. No complaints whatsoever. I'd not even consider anything other than a Cat.

 

[BTI]

Cat or General/Interpump.
Both are very good.

I have a Generac with a Cat Pump and 13hp Honda. Bought used on ebay.
We use a General at my work. It gets used everyday for at least 6 hrs, 6 days a week.
We are on our second pump.
The unit was bought new in 2000.

A big thing that kills alot of them is running them without having the trigger pulled.
They are meant to be used while they are running, the ones that have a "throttle lever" can be idled down and ran a little bit in idle.
When the trigger isn't pulled the pump gets hot then you pull the trigger and ice cold water hits the hot pump and causes distortion, which causes wear.

The "home owner" models typically aren't meant to be worked on and are filled with "Lifetime" Oil.
Just run till dead then buy another.

BTI

 

[dfkrug]

the homeowner machines (pumps) are typically designed to last 80 hours. they have done exhausting research to determine the average user will never hit that mark.
cheap pumps do not have unloader valves. this means when you are not pulling the trigger on the gun the pump is recirculating the water it holds. this builds heat very quickly and heat kills pumps. if you are not spraying water through a cheap washer you need to turn it off. start them holding the trigger with the water hose turned on. it only takes seconds running dry to damage a cheap pump.

Interesting points, DVR.

Some of these reasons are why I want to go back to a cheap ELECTRIC
PW. My current Honda-powered 2400psi Karcher has more than enough
pressure and it is LOUD. I like how the electrics only run when the
trigger is pulled. I use the pump once a month at most and less now that
I have a gas-powered one.

Can anyone recommend one of the 1800psi cheapo electrics? I know I
don't want to get pro model.