Who let this guy in?

gear junkie

New member
Hello, greetings. Name is Ben and live in Ventura, CA. I'm actually a plumber. Reason why I'm here is because plumbers use pressure washers all the time but we call them jetters. Unfortunantly the plumbing/jetter manufactors are behind the times and really don't have a good grasp on pressure washers. I'm here to educate myself on the finer points of pressure washers and feel the guys on here understand them much better then plumbers with no disrespect intended to my trade. I hope I'm allowed to stay. I'm a constant on other plumbing forums but never been here...please let me know if I overstep any bounds. Thanks guys.

So you see what I'm running with....Honda GX390 with a Cat 4SF40GS1 4gpm 3500 psi pump on a DIY modified Karcher frame. Also use a 2hp electric 2gpm at 1500 psi.
 

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Hello, greetings. Name is Ben and live in Ventura, CA. I'm actually a plumber. Reason why I'm here is because plumbers use pressure washers all the time but we call them jetters. Unfortunantly the plumbing/jetter manufactors are behind the times and really don't have a good grasp on pressure washers. I'm here to educate myself on the finer points of pressure washers and feel the guys on here understand them much better then plumbers with no disrespect intended to my trade. I hope I'm allowed to stay. I'm a constant on other plumbing forums but never been here...please let me know if I overstep any bounds. Thanks guys.

So you see what I'm running with....Honda GX390 with a Cat 4SF40GS1 4gpm 3500 psi pump on a DIY modified Karcher frame. Also use a 2hp electric 2gpm at 1500 psi.


Welcome to the forum!
 
I worked for many many years as a plumber. When I started dabbling in the pw trade, I by-passed the unloader to one of my machines, bought a foot pedal trigger and turned it into a sewer jetter. Anything with a GX390 might be good for grease, but you'll never cut roots with it. You'll need something serious, like a tow behind, if root cutting is your interest.
The plumbing trade has been good to me, but not as good as pw'ing.
 
Welcome we are glad to have you here. I know i will look forward to hearing your experiences and questions you may have. It brings a new perspecitve tou our trades and I am sure will benefit us all.
 
Jetter relilability.. or the lack there of.

Hello, greetings. Name is Ben and live in Ventura, CA.
I'm actually a plumber. Reason why I'm here is because plumbers use pressure washers all the time but we call them jetters..
Unfortunantly the plumbing/jetter manufactors are behind the times and really don't have a good grasp on pressure washers.

Man, that's for sure..
first thing first..
avoid using the Pulser Valve as much as you can, as the cavitation it causes EATS water seals,
and especially "chatters" the shafts on those direct drive units.
next..
follow my posts on "High Volume Bypass" lines if you ever leave that system in bypass (at all),
or if you use it as a pressure washer with trigger gun.

Oh yea.. Welcome :{)
..there's some REALLY good stuff in here.
..and even though the drama is running a bit loud right now, please know we're not as "infested" with knuckleheads as other forums.
we are a community that actually "tries" to work together.
..Energy drinks are clearly the drug of choice for cleaning contractors.
 
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Welcome to the site.
 
I worked for many many years as a plumber. When I started dabbling in the pw trade, I by-passed the unloader to one of my machines, bought a foot pedal trigger and turned it into a sewer jetter. Anything with a GX390 might be good for grease, but you'll never cut roots with it. You'll need something serious, like a tow behind, if root cutting is your interest.
The plumbing trade has been good to me, but not as good as pw'ing.
Actually found the opposite. Been having the best time cutting roots but grease will just sit there without the flow. Been learning alot from the Aussies as they primarily jet everything, a usual setup there is 6gpm at 5000 psi but it seems they use 1/4" hose. An australian company invented a reverse turbo nozzle that destroys roots. The only reason I haven't gone with a bigger setup is because my equipment hasn't been stalled on a single job yet....but I know that day will come one day.

Man, that's for sure..
first thing first..
avoid using the Pulser Valve as much as you can, as the cavitation it causes EATS water seals,
and especially "chatters" the shafts on those direct drive units.
next..
follow my posts on "High Volume Bypass" lines if you ever leave that system in bypass (at all),
or if you use it as a pressure washer with trigger gun.
Thank you for the advice on the cavitation and that's something I want to learn...especially the bypass info...it's just not something I know enough about.
 
Tell us more about this reverse turbo or post pics or links to it, this sounds very interesting.
 
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