Which Pressure Washer

[djradz]

My devilbiss washer has the same warning, so I just either shut it down or lightly hit the trigger for a second or so to put some cool fresh water in the pump. Mine also has a relief, which is supposed to blow if the temperature and therefore pressure, build up from not spraying, but I've gone for a minute or so and no relief lifted.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

For the record, Devilbiss made the Craftsman washers for the past several years. Not sure about this year's model though.

Also, they start a lot easier if you squeeze the handle on the wand while pulling the rope. Takes the pressure off the pump.

But, don't lodge something into the handle and lay it down and pull the rope. Like having a missle on a tether.

And like stated earlier, if you use it on a wood deck, use it in a fan spray. Otherwise all the soft wood in a board will go away and you end up with ridges. I used it once on a pine picture frame to make it look stressed and old...

They are a nice tool to have....

 

[GaryK]

I got a 2500 PSI with Honda engine from Northern Hyrdaulics a few years ago to do the decks and vinyl siding, works great but I do have to reduce the pressure on the tractor, like mentoned, it will take off decals and paint, plus damage seals.

 

[Gomez]

Thanks for the link. It is a FAIP pump.

Spoke with DeVilbiss service this morning and they faxed me the pump parts breakdown.
Unfortunatley, the bearings and washers in question are shown, but no reference number pointing to them. I called the parts ordering number they gave me to get further info and they informed me that if those parts fail, you need a new pump. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif

The cost of a new pump is $173.71.

The parts I need are a thrust bearing and a washer. Why would I need to replace the entire pump? Is it a parts wearing together issue? Or is it a way to make more $ by designing this part to fail and requiring a new pump?/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

I think I'm going to see if I can get the bearing and washer from McMaster or someplace. The worse that could happen is wrecking an already wrecked pump.

 

[Titanic]

<font color=blue> You should not let the unit run without pulling the trigger for more than 2 minutes. (doh) The pump will become overheated if there is no water flow. I wonder if some of the more expensive units have the same issue?
<font color=black> This is totally correct. Have you ever walked into Home Depot or Lowe's and noticed all the power washer for sale that are reconditioned? Most people are not aware that if the motor is running the trigger on the wond should be pull every two minutes. The water pump will overheat and melt the insides. I purchased a 3500 psi@ 4GPM for 799.00 at Sam's club with a honda engine and devilbiss pump. For the folks looking for a pressure washer with a cat pump you will pay much more $$$$$ . check out Lowe's 1250.00 for the same unit w/ a cat pump. I recently spoke with a devilbiss reprsentive . They put several pumps on there powerwashers including cat. They suggested i didn't need the pricey cat pump and the rebuild costs are out of this world. The key is not to let the pump overheat and most pumps will last you a life time. My 2 cents.

 

[RanchMan]

The cheapie $80 electric one I bought has an "auto off" switch that turns the pump off when it isn't spraying, hence the wording on the box "Auto shutoff to extend pump life."

Although I'm sure there would be some engineering to figure out, seems like some smart apple designing the gas models could develop some type of clutch for this. Are there any gas ones out there that have this "feature"?

 

[CSAW]

<font color=blue>I called the parts ordering number they gave me to get further info and they informed me that if those parts fail, you need a new pump.

The cost of a new pump is $173.71.

<font color=black>That's why I would buy the cheapy. I 'm really not that cheap, just about some things.

 

[frank_f15]

yep ! my craftsman has the same warning. i beleive this is standard for gas pw's .

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.usapressure.com/>http://www.usapressure.com/</A>

 

[Mike_Dumond]

My Craftsman doesn't say anything about hitting the trigger every once in a while. But, it does include this:

Automatic Cool Down System
(Thermal Relief)

If you run the engine on your pressure washer for 3-5 minutes without pressing the trigger on the spray gun, circulating water in the pump can reach temperatures between 140- 145*F. The automatic cool down system engages at this temperature and cools the pump by discharging the warm water onto the ground, preventing internal pump damage.

 

[TresCrows]

My washer also has an auto cool down cycle and it also says to pull the trigger every two minutes or so. I think they all have that feature, all that I looked at when I was shopping for one seemed to but I could be wrong. I have not found it a problem to worry over.
I think the problem people have (read as guys) with pressure washers and peeling their paint etc is that just cuz you got a super turbo blaster nozzle in the kit does not mean you should snap it on and stand 4 inches from the tractor and BLAST away! It will take the paint off lickity split and if pointed at the skin-eyes--face it will cause a really nasty mess. I think goggles and common sense and long pants and shoes should be worn so you do not hydrodermically inject your feet by accident. Yep, they can punch a hole right trhought the skin. Also--do not as a tease spray your dogs, cats, children, wife--it will hurt them and possibly badly. My unit with the "blaster" nozzle installed will cut open a plastic mulch bag from 20 feet and the bag looks like it has been hit by a mini machine gun. Hey, these things are not toys. J

 

[fractal]

I read somewhere that "cleaning" = PSI * GPM

Too much PSI can damage what you are cleaning, so the only way to safely get more cleaning is to increase the GPM.

Cheap pumps don't have (I don't remember the name, but a valve to make sure you don't have back pressure on the pump when the hose isn't squirting) so will burn out VERY quickly. They are designed that way for two reasons - one is they are cheaper and second - to make you buy another unit.

I have a small costco special electric unit. It was marginal at the old house but did a fair job at washing down the house and the cars. It is too small for cleaning patio's or getting to a second story house wall.

I already have too many "small gasoline motors". I don't want to buy another. I have looked at the combination units that have a gasoline motor that you can "attach" generators, pressure washers and other attachments but they typically cost at least as much as the individual components so saving the maintence of extra motors is traded against the convenience of not having to swap attachments.

So, I guess I would suggest you look around and see if you think you can get by with the largest GPM electric you can find. If so, go with it. If not, then you are stuck with yet another noisy, smelly, maintence load gasoline motor to service every time you use it and at least one more time a year.

 

[Buster57]

I think I may have the same unit.
Generac from Home depot? I think it has a 5 H-P Brigs.
Works great.
Costs about $400.

 

[TresCrows]

Mine has a 6.5 Briggs Intek Pro. I am sure thay are similar features etc. I know it is not a super great unit but it seems to work well and has given me no problems. I am pleased with it. I will go bigger next time and get a CAT pump etc. J

 

[Frosty]

Ranchman
I got the same unit you have from HB. They told me to print the internet special and bring it so I did. Neato! The little booger works just great! I blasted some old dried on grease from my car motor in no time. I hooked the hose up to the hot water heater and used hot water - worked great.

It is a surprisingly powerful unit, especially when adjusted to stream - I will stay away from that setting! Only having occasional use so I decided to avoid a gas unit. I figure the carb and valves would lacquer and gum up from lack of use.

I thank everyone for their input, I didn't know anything about PW's and I learned a lot. Will it knock the bugs and road grime from a motorcycle or ??? Thank you!

 

[RanchMan]

Frosty

Great!

Hope you continue to enjoy it as I have mine. Although the big gas ones could sure be nice for some things, I've found mine completely adequate for my uses - sounds like you have too so far. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Just make sure you aren't standing in a big puddle barefoot when you are plugging it in!!! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[emery]

If you have a Kmart that is closing, go look at their pressure washer sale. I bought one last week for $159 (was $219). It is powed by briggs and stratton engine, produces 1900psi at 2.5gpm.
Seemed like a good deal to me!

 

[Gomez]

Wow, that sounds like a good deal. Since I haven't had any luck in finding a bearing for my pump (it's a funky size). $159 is less than the cost of a new pump. Now to find a K Mart that's closing.

 

[Twanger]

One thought on the war of gas or electric. I have an unfinished basement that will never be finished. It is my garage/work shop. Every several years I like to gut it of my junk and power wash it. My family had a cheapy electric that got fried and now owns a gas. I don't think I want to run the gas in the house with my one year old boy upstairs (and I guess wife). Just food for thought.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

You can couple a longer hose to the wand. The manual will tell you how long you can go... But, I then never quite understood why they had length restictions. I mean it's all high pressure up to the wand... Does the Washer have "work rights" protection from the gov't?

Use the hose left over from the fried elect unit...... Be a lot quieter on the wand end also with the washer outside......

Tom