Honda GX390

Ralph Q said:
Just looking at all the specs. a gx390 has the same torque as a lifan 15 hp 420 @18.5 ft-lbs. The predator 13 hp is 17 ft-lbs of torque. a 20.3 hp honda has 35 ft-lbs, and a 22 hp lifan has 29 ft-lbs and the price is within $200 of each other. isn't torque the thing that matters when it comes to pressure washers ? So maybe the engines are that cheap for a reason. I guess the 15 hp is the most economical one out of the bunch.
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When it comes to industrial engines most people buy horsepower. But what they really need is torque. They just don't know it. Torque = twist and twist turns that pump.
 
The predator isn't a Lifan, the old HF Greyhound motors were Lifan. Where the Lifan is almost an exact copy of a Honda, the Predators have a few parts that are different.

I bought a HF generator yesterday, the two main things I'm going to do are completely rewire the motor and loctite all the bolts.
 
Matty P said:
The predator isn't a Lifan, the old HF Greyhound motors were Lifan. Where the Lifan is almost an exact copy of a Honda, the Predators have a few parts that are different.

I bought a HF generator yesterday, the two main things I'm going to do are completely rewire the motor and loctite all the bolts.
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So, do you think that predator 13 hp is any good? will it last at least 6 months of pounding, until I can get a hot water machine? I plan on hooking two machines together. And if the predator isn't a lifan, are there parts available?
 
Ralph Q said:
Just looking at all the specs. a gx390 has the same torque as a lifan 15 hp 420 @18.5 ft-lbs. The predator 13 hp is 17 ft-lbs of torque. a 20.3 hp honda has 35 ft-lbs, and a 22 hp lifan has 29 ft-lbs and the price is within $200 of each other. isn't torque the thing that matters when it comes to pressure washers ? So maybe the engines are that cheap for a reason. I guess the 15 hp is the most economical one out of the bunch.
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Actually I screwed this up. The Predator 13 hp is 18.5 ft-lbs torque, like the Honda. The lifan 13 hp is 17 ft-lbs torque. So the most economical out of the bunch would be the 13 hp predator.
 
Matty P said:
The predator isn't a Lifan, the old HF Greyhound motors were Lifan. Where the Lifan is almost an exact copy of a Honda, the Predators have a few parts that are different.

I bought a HF generator yesterday, the two main things I'm going to do are completely rewire the motor and loctite all the bolts.
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TaDa - Thanks Matty, mystery solved!
 
Ralph Q said:
Actually I screwed this up. The Predator 13 hp is 18.5 ft-lbs torque, like the Honda. The lifan 13 hp is 17 ft-lbs torque. So the most economical out of the bunch would be the 13 hp predator.
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Ralph, you're still screwing up!! (I can say that 'cause we're buddies)

The 13 HP Harbor Freight Predator, which we is now known Not a Lifan is $349.95.

Home Depot sells the 15 HP Lifan for $299!!

It's a no Brainer. Plus, the Predator's small fuel tank will slow you down and drive you nuts.
 
Rapid HotClean said:
Ralph, you're still screwing up!! (I can say that 'cause we're buddies)

The 13 HP Harbor Freight Predator, which we is now known Not a Lifan is $349.95.

Home Depot sells the 15 HP Lifan for $299!!


It's a no Brainer. Plus, the Predator's small fuel tank will slow you down and drive you nuts.
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Yeah but isn't the $299 one without electric start?
And what is electric start anyway? how do I keep a battery charged?
I'm rethinking this over and over. And it's looking more and more the lifan. You are right, a 1 gallon tank???

And I have been reading reviews on the predator. A few people commented on the extreme cheapness of the parts. (filters, wiring etc..) If the lifan is an exact copy of the honda, that's the one for me.
 
Ralph Q said:
Yeah but isn't the $299 one without electric start?
And what is electric start anyway? how do I keep a battery charged?
I'm rethinking this over and over. And it's looking more and more the lifan. You are right, a 1 gallon tank???

And I have been reading reviews on the predator. A few people commented on the extreme cheapness of the parts. (filters, wiring etc..) If the lifan is an exact copy of the honda, that's the one for me.
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I've started mine with the rope before. First pull.
 
Duromax has 16 hp and it seems like I have come across others. Are the lifans the longest made Honda clones?
 
tomtucson said:
Duromax has 16 hp and it seems like I have come across others. Are the lifans the longest made Honda clones?
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Oh yeah I saw that duromax, Wonder if they are any good? I know the lifan's are the biggest, don't know if they are the longest lived. maybe vanguard does a 16.
 
I have been using a hf predator motor for a few months now and so far I actually like it better then the honda's. It starts easyer when cold and I can idle it down further without it stalling out.
 
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bears said:
I have been using a hf predator motor for a months now and so far I actually like it better then the honda's. It starts easyer when cold and I can idle it down further without it stalling out.
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Hey Carey, what pump do you have on it? (if that's what you are using it for)
 
Ralph I am not sure what pump I have hooked to it. I know its a general pump but have never been able to find any numbers on it. I stole it off of one of my stationary pressure washers. Just guessing I would say its 5gpm at around 3,000 psi or so. I have it running through a gear reduction drive.
 
tomtucson said:
Duromax has 16 hp and it seems like I have come across others. Are the lifans the longest made Honda clones?
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Tom, yes - Lifan is oldest.

The clone story goes something like this. In the early 90s Honda was looking to have its engines made in China.

Lifan's story says they were hired by Honda to help co-design the GX series. I've also read where Honda gave Lifan the drawings to bid the manufacturing. Either way, a pissing contest apparently ensued and they went their separate ways, with Lifan getting to keep the drawings.

Then, somehow the drawings leaked out to other manufacturers and the Chonda clones were born.

One thing's for sure, the Chondas (especially Lifan) keep getting better and they're putting pricing pressure on Honda.

I'm not sure, but I think that Honda now builds the GX390 (and others) in Taiwan.
 
Ralph Q said:
Yeah but isn't the $299 one without electric start?
And what is electric start anyway? how do I keep a battery charged?
I'm rethinking this over and over. And it's looking more and more the lifan. You are right, a 1 gallon tank???

And I have been reading reviews on the predator. A few people commented on the extreme cheapness of the parts. (filters, wiring etc..) If the lifan is an exact copy of the honda, that's the one for me.
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Ralph, have you made a move yet?
 
AZ PowerWash Pros said:
I know this is off topic, and not trying to be rude, but there is 2 Tiger power washing companies in the same city? Or are you two the same company?

Im just confused...
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I asked that too. They are different companies.


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Originally Posted by Ralph Q
What is there two Tiger wash in Baton Rouge?

Other guy is new to this business, like a couple months new.
I don't know if he named his company so close to mine in hopes of picking up extra work or what
 
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