Michael
New member
There are no hard and fast rules about pressure washers. There are however some guidelines that people often overlook.
Simply put in almost every case: flow is of much more value than pressure. Pressure is the easy part of the equation.
There is no legitimate value to be derived from using "Cleaning Units" to determine the purchase of one unit versus another.
Pressure is equivalent to speed; therefore which do you want to catch thrown at your head at 5 MPH (8kph)? A baseball or a bowling ball? Simple proof on the value of flow; I can provide the physics if you want.
The largest pressure washer pump manufacturer in the world is Interpump/General Pump, other pumps used by professionals (in no particular order) are Cat, A/R, Comet, Admiral, Giant, Udor, Hypro, Hawk, Bertolini/Legacy and I am sure there are a few really small ones that I did not mention. Buying pumps from any of these manufacturers does not guarantee performance; General Motors made the Chevette as well as the Corvette and the Cadillac. Each has a market.
A big box retailer only wants your money. Once is fine. They do not have the expertise, support or time to provide proper training in the safe use and operation of your purchase. There is not a book or video that is even close to the knowledge and experience gained from a specialist. They do not even supply service but farm it out.
Honda makes a good engine, so too does Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, Kohler and Robin. There are others too but even in this group there are great products and not so great ones.
Every manufacturer of pressure washers tries to maximize their components. In most cases that means running as close as possible to the rated performance of each piece. In many cases this is not a problem but as the price becomes more important then quality must neccessarily fall so longeviy suffers accordingly.
In other words do you want a component running flat out all the time at it's max or do you want some leeway so that it is there if you need it?
Ie: a General T3500 is rated at 3.5 GPM at 2030 PSI at 3600 RPM, a T1321 is rated at 5.5 GPM at 2100 PSI at 1150 RPM, so at 3.6 GPM it is running at 770 RPM. Both can run at 3.5 @ 2000, which do you think will last longer?
Direct drive pump/power combinations have at least 1/3 the life of belt drive units which usually cost no more than twice as much. Can you afford to pay that much more for less?
Pressure is dangerous, period. Over 1000 PSI you can destroy a wood deck, strip paint, break windows or hurt yourself. Keep that in mind when you are looking at pressure washers. Flow rules! Flow is directly related to horsepower; more the merrier.
It is wiser to spend more money up front than to spend a little bit every time. It is actually cheaper in the long run.
Change engine oil every 50 hours or annually (whichever occurs first) with a good quality oil as required by the manufacturer. Change pump oil every 200 hours (or annually) with at least a straight 30 weight non-detergent oil or if direct drive a 80-90 gear lube. Check the pump oil every time you use the pressure washer, if it looks milky then you most likely have a water leak so get the unit serviced NOW.
Look seriously at hiring a professional contract cleaner to do the job for you. It will be done faster, safer, better and with fewer problems often for a lot less than a pressure washer will cost you.
Merely my humble opinion. YES, I do sell pressure washers to professional pressure washer dealers. My job is to support them so that they can grow their business and service their customer's (you) NEEDS as opposed to wants.
Hope this helps? Cheers.
By the way the email address is my personal one and does not go through my employer. Send me a note any time and I promise to respond.
Simply put in almost every case: flow is of much more value than pressure. Pressure is the easy part of the equation.
There is no legitimate value to be derived from using "Cleaning Units" to determine the purchase of one unit versus another.
Pressure is equivalent to speed; therefore which do you want to catch thrown at your head at 5 MPH (8kph)? A baseball or a bowling ball? Simple proof on the value of flow; I can provide the physics if you want.
The largest pressure washer pump manufacturer in the world is Interpump/General Pump, other pumps used by professionals (in no particular order) are Cat, A/R, Comet, Admiral, Giant, Udor, Hypro, Hawk, Bertolini/Legacy and I am sure there are a few really small ones that I did not mention. Buying pumps from any of these manufacturers does not guarantee performance; General Motors made the Chevette as well as the Corvette and the Cadillac. Each has a market.
A big box retailer only wants your money. Once is fine. They do not have the expertise, support or time to provide proper training in the safe use and operation of your purchase. There is not a book or video that is even close to the knowledge and experience gained from a specialist. They do not even supply service but farm it out.
Honda makes a good engine, so too does Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, Kohler and Robin. There are others too but even in this group there are great products and not so great ones.
Every manufacturer of pressure washers tries to maximize their components. In most cases that means running as close as possible to the rated performance of each piece. In many cases this is not a problem but as the price becomes more important then quality must neccessarily fall so longeviy suffers accordingly.
In other words do you want a component running flat out all the time at it's max or do you want some leeway so that it is there if you need it?
Ie: a General T3500 is rated at 3.5 GPM at 2030 PSI at 3600 RPM, a T1321 is rated at 5.5 GPM at 2100 PSI at 1150 RPM, so at 3.6 GPM it is running at 770 RPM. Both can run at 3.5 @ 2000, which do you think will last longer?
Direct drive pump/power combinations have at least 1/3 the life of belt drive units which usually cost no more than twice as much. Can you afford to pay that much more for less?
Pressure is dangerous, period. Over 1000 PSI you can destroy a wood deck, strip paint, break windows or hurt yourself. Keep that in mind when you are looking at pressure washers. Flow rules! Flow is directly related to horsepower; more the merrier.
It is wiser to spend more money up front than to spend a little bit every time. It is actually cheaper in the long run.
Change engine oil every 50 hours or annually (whichever occurs first) with a good quality oil as required by the manufacturer. Change pump oil every 200 hours (or annually) with at least a straight 30 weight non-detergent oil or if direct drive a 80-90 gear lube. Check the pump oil every time you use the pressure washer, if it looks milky then you most likely have a water leak so get the unit serviced NOW.
Look seriously at hiring a professional contract cleaner to do the job for you. It will be done faster, safer, better and with fewer problems often for a lot less than a pressure washer will cost you.
Merely my humble opinion. YES, I do sell pressure washers to professional pressure washer dealers. My job is to support them so that they can grow their business and service their customer's (you) NEEDS as opposed to wants.
Hope this helps? Cheers.
By the way the email address is my personal one and does not go through my employer. Send me a note any time and I promise to respond.
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