Can anyone recommend a high pressure washer for personal use and what are the pros and cons in their use? Edited by: Dick

I Have a Generac......6HP.


The pump went after 6 years.


Replaced the pump with an all brass one and a higher psi rating.


The pro's are you can clean a lot of stuff with them. They are great for automotive use and home use. I can clean the siding on the house, blast out the gutters, clean the concrete walk and keep up on the undercarriage of my vehicle.


The con is if you are not careful you can do a lot of damage to your stuff with the high pressures.





Thttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gifNY

I have a Karcher with a max output of 2600 psi; works great and is used quite a bit every weekend; few more dollars initially, but have spent $0 on maintenance since new. Definitely worth it;


And like Tony says, you can do a lot of damage real fast with them; carefully learn how to use it.

I purchased a Troy-Built (Generac) at Lowes a few months back. It is a 6.5 hp @ 2800 psi. I am quite pleased with it. The one thing I am surprised about is all the things I use it for. I just keep “inventing” things to do with it. I originally bought it to clean concrete and brick around my house. Also, I assumed it would be difficult to set up and take down. It is not. As a mater of fact, it is so easy I use it a lot when I would normally use a hose and brush.
The one project I have in mind but have not tackled yet is cleaning the underside of my ’84 Silverado. It is on the list but I have not done it yet. I know that is going to be a very messy job because there is no way to do it but get under the truck and get messy. From what I understand also, you need to be gentle on seals and gaskets. You can blast them right out.Edited by: ag4gt

My two cents for what's it worth, buy a unit with a Honda engine, very reliable, easy starting and quiet. They last a long time. Go for a unit with the best pump you can afford. Cat makes a very good pump. Lastly, don't over buy. A 5000 psi unit is over kill for most people/applications. You need to be able to supply the quanity of water from your hose that the pump needs/requires. 3 gallons/min is typical as is 2500-3000 psi in a good unit. Make sure you can supply this much water before buying. Buy one that comes with multiple tips for different applications. Also, downstream chemical injection is perferred to keep the stuff out of the pump. Also, if you live in a part of the country that experiences freezing temps, don't let the water left in the pump after use freeze. This can get expensive. Also, make sure you turn on your water supply and purge all the air out of the system before turning the engine on. One last thing, be careful what you blast, the high pressure water can damage seals, paint etc. Good luck. Dave Edited by: blue_lightning

gotta agree with the Honda engine thing..... Best darn engine out there INHO for a small engine.


I have a Craftsman 7hp 2800 psi, does everything I need to do nicely

i have a 2700 psi washer and it pulled up a corner of my 4x4 decal, granted i was bout 3 inches away but it can do some dammage

it also started taking off the factory undercoating

plenty of power imo

Just bought an Ex-Cell ZR2800 with a Honda Commercial Grade 6.5 HP motor and a CAT pump for $699, from Home Depot. A Honda with a Cat are as good as it gets in pressure washers.

I have an Excell from Home Depot. 6.5 Honda and a 2700 psi AR pump.

Here's a cool application. I have a greasy old painted set of train horns.

I applied water rinsable paint stripper. Let it work for about a half hour. Pressure washed it with no scraping. Horn looks like it came right out of the box.

One drawback is everybody wants to borrow it.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/A6D_DSCN5456.jpg

Chains saw, pressure washer and wife - things you CAN NOT borrow!

Karcher pump Honda motor 2400 psi at Costco 299.99. You will wonder how you lived with out it. One nice thing about the gas motor is you can idle the motor down if you dont want as much psi.


I have two the one above and a ten year old Karcher electric they both work great.

Just bought an Ex-Cell ZR2800 with a Honda Commercial Grade 6.5 HP motor and a CAT pump for $699, from Home Depot. A Honda with a Cat are as good as it gets in pressure washers.


I found a cheaper alternative I thought would be okay, after monkeying around with the thing for a week, I took it back.


Home Depot had a 10% off sale on stuff so I got one of these Ex-Cell ZR2800 units. 3 GPM at 2800 psi and quick connect hoses with extensions available. It's a great unit...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


Thanks for the heads up...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif

Northern sells a wand attachment on wheels for getting under vehicles. This may sound funny, but if you mount a clamp on mirror to the wand you can do a great job washing off the underside of the truck without getting under it!

Great idea with the mirror. I have been wanting a pressure washer for a while, but then I figured I'd rather drive it than wash it. . . Maybe now since I'm not going to get an intake, I'll get a pressure washer instead. Thanks SPICER!


See how great this forum is. I get all the things I want and none of the things I don't need. Tastes great, less filling.


Dennis

Chains saw, pressure washer and wife - things you CAN NOT borrow!


In that order?


If you idle the engine down as low as possible what would a 2800 psi unti crank out?

2800 till it stallshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

The pressure is set by the bypass valve on the pump. The Max pressure is a function of the pump, nozzle, and engine HP.

So if you want a lower pressure, just back off the bypass valve. Keep the engine revs up.

If you idle the engine down as low as possible what would a 2800 psi unti crank out?





Well pump output can be regulated by input speed, the one I bought backs down nicely if you want it to. Just got to read the manual about adjusting the idle mixture since it's obviously been set for Sea Level. It runs a bit fat up here.


Just be careful you don't let the thing run very long without water flowing through it since water flow provides pump cooling and lubrication.


Sorry, but I'm not interested enough in the actual PSI drop to plumb guages into it and find out.

Love my Excell ZR2800, so does my drive way, ceder fence, swiming pool and I'm still looking. Mama is staying inside.





Idahofox

The pressure washer I use has a 23hp Kohler on it and 150ft hose. Lets just say its just above idle when using it one the truck, just a little bit overkill, but it is used for powerwashing buildings before painting daily. For home use you wouldnt need a pressure washer that puts out over 3000psi. Also be careful with a spinner tip, as they typically add psi when used.

I have two - a older 1500 psi Briggs Stratton powered unit and a newer Excell 13 HP Honda 3600 psi unit with multi nozzle options for different sprays and pressures. The 1500 psi works well for many things, but doesn't get greasy metal clean nor take old paint off. The 3600 psi takes house paint off, polishes decks, takes all grease off (if I use hot water it even takes off the film of grease), takes all dirt off, and really cleans. SURPRISE - hasn't peeled paint off the DA yet. I'm sure it will also peel potatoes, carrots, etc. Probably even peel someones skin off. Has Tim Taylor "POWER". A 2500 psi should be enough for almost all applications. Honda engines do rule. (And I said I would NEVER buy a Japanese car knowingly)

Chains saw, pressure washer and wife - things you CAN NOT borrow!


Maybe not, but you can always rent them!

I've got a Karcher, 2600 (I think) pressure washer. It's a MUST for motocross bikes. It was that or keep spending 10$ in quarters at the car wash to get the thing clean. I've had good luck with it. As stated above, be careful with bearings, seals, decals, etc. It'll rip them right off. Also, before winter and freezing temps, be sure to purge all water out to prevent damage.