I own a lawn maintenance co. and it is the off-season so I am thinking about pressure washing in the winter. I do not really want to spend alot of money, but I do want a quality unit. I was thinking about getting a Northstar 3000psi deal at Northern. It runs off a hose and has got maybe 5hp. Is this a good machine? I really just want to drop my mexican off and let him do driveways and such. Any of your insight is appreciated.
What pressure washer?
- Thread starter LawnWorks
- Start date
Mike Hughes
Former Board Administrator
the 4gpm machine would be a good choice to start with. You will probably need additional insurance to do it properly.
A surface cleaner is somewhat expensive, but if you do enough driveways it will be worth it. It not only does a faster job, but it will do a much more consistent job then a wand.
A surface cleaner is somewhat expensive, but if you do enough driveways it will be worth it. It not only does a faster job, but it will do a much more consistent job then a wand.
Mike Hughes
Former Board Administrator
Consult your insurance agent. If you are insured to do lawn work, there is a possibility that if you have an insurance claim relating to pressure washing, they might not cover you. Or maybe they would.............is that a chance you're willing to take?
Look into it.
Look into it.
oneness
Member
Yes, I would say you'd want a surface cleaner if you plan on doing more than the occasional driveway...You'll get better results, and you'll get them done much faster...Whether you're doing them yourself or having your helper do them, time is money...It's much harder to get a nice consistently clean driveway using a wand....You can get a cheaper 16 or 20 inch hover type for around $400.00...that'll pay for itself the first week if you're doing a lot of driveways. The surface cleaner allows me to clean concrete at least twice as fast as with a wand.
I don't know that a 2gpm machine is going to be adequate for doing concrete with any speed, and certainly won't be adequate to clean with a surfacer.
I agree with Mike on the Insurance...Unless you're already insured to do pressure washing, you likely wouldn't be covered if you have a claim. I'm insured to do Pressure Washing, but if I decided to do lawn care also, I wouldn't be covered without adding that to my policy.
I don't know that a 2gpm machine is going to be adequate for doing concrete with any speed, and certainly won't be adequate to clean with a surfacer.
I agree with Mike on the Insurance...Unless you're already insured to do pressure washing, you likely wouldn't be covered if you have a claim. I'm insured to do Pressure Washing, but if I decided to do lawn care also, I wouldn't be covered without adding that to my policy.
Dave Thomas - APSCO
New member
There's no comparison between my wand and my 28" Big Guy with regard to either speed or consistancy. Customers are always impressed to see the big guy in action. They realize their little unit and wand are inadequate. It also gives them the correct impression that "this is what we do."
