Let's talk pressure washers

[Mike Wilkins]

In the past I have owned 2 pressure washers, one from each of the big box orange or blue stores. Both with Honda engines. Both were a large dissapointment; one motor died after less than a year, and one with poor plumbing components.
I am not looking for a professional tow-behind-my-truck machine, but one in the $400-$600 range that will last and provide years of service for home use.
Any suggestions.

[Erik Loza]

In for answers as well. I am shopping for one soon, too.

Erik

[Andrew Gold]

I feel strongly that small gas motor tools are a rent not buy item. Unless you're using it weekly, the maintenance just outweighs the fun of ownership.

FWIW and all...

[Mel Miller]

I stepped up and bought a nice Landa unit for ~$1600. after seeing numerous cheaper units with problems. Haven't regretted it for a moment.

[Mike Henderson]

I bought a DeWalt unit and have been satisfied with it. I've owned it for a couple of years now. I don't use it a whole lot but it starts right up when I do use it. No engine problems, no pump problems. Has a Honda engine.

Mike

[Keith Outten]

In my quest to get rid of as many small engine machines as possible I sold my Ridgid 3000 psi pressure washer and bought a 2000 psi electric......it starts up every time

Now, what I need is a micro-minature pressure washer to clean small Corian plaques and pens that I laser engrave. Maybe someone here knows of a small high pressure low volume pump that I can purchase. Its a royal pain to have to get out my full size pressure washer just to clean a small plaque or a couple of pens.
.

[Val Kosmider]

I feel strongly that small gas motor tools are a rent not buy item. Unless you're using it weekly, the maintenance just outweighs the fun of ownership.

FWIW and all...

Good advice that.

I don't know anything about pressure washers, but got a sales circular the other day from Northern Tool and they have several units "on sale" (plus a 20% off coupon up to $250) ranging across prices from a few hundred to a couple grand IIRC. Might be something in there worth looking at.

[Chris Padilla]

I have a nice North Star unit I bought from Northern Tool. I went gas with the nicer Honda engine. I've had it about 3 years now and even with me 'forgetting' to run it dry (get all the gas out before winter), it has never failed to fire up by at least the 3rd pull. Once it has been fired in the spring, one pull does it.

Gas is nice because it is a bit more portable than electric. Gas is also cheaper than an equivalent electric. You may need a long length of extension cord pulling 240 V for the electric, too. It all depends on the HP you want and the power you want out of your PW. I spray my house and clean pool decking and driveway and I wanted power to amputate my foot with. I even used my PW to dig out a stubborn tree (boy, that was messy but worked great!)

I also went with a Cat brand triplex pump. These are the best pumps out there.

Get a nice hose with a nice reel and a variety of tips to choose from. Look into a turbo nozzle as well...good ones are in the $40-60 range and worth it. Talk about spraying power!! (insert Tim 'The Toolman' Allen grunts here)

If I remember, I'll update this post later with the exact model I got and what I paid.

[Brad Adams]

http://www.mitm.com/products/pressure-washers/cd-electric-series/CD-1002-3MUH/12/
Mi-T-M electric pressure washer for me. Had it for three years now with heavy use. I've had it running for three hours straight jetting frozen water mains last winter. Keeps om going.

[Larry Browning]

I have a nice North Star unit I bought from Northern Tool. I went gas with the nicer Honda engine. I've had it about 3 years now and even with me 'forgetting' to run it dry (get all the gas out before winter), it has never failed to fire up by at least the 3rd pull. Once it has been fired in the spring, one pull does it.

Gas is nice because it is a bit more portable than electric. Gas is also cheaper than an equivalent electric. You may need a long length of extension cord pulling 240 V for the electric, too. It all depends on the HP you want and the power you want out of your PW. I spray my house and clean pool decking and driveway and I wanted power to amputate my foot with. I even used my PW to dig out a stubborn tree (boy, that was messy but worked great!)

I also went with a Cat brand triplex pump. These are the best pumps out there.

Get a nice hose with a nice reel and a variety of tips to choose from. Look into a turbo nozzle as well...good ones are in the $40-60 range and worth it. Talk about spraying power!! (insert Tim 'The Toolman' Allen grunts here)

If I remember, I'll update this post later with the exact model I got and what I paid.

+1 to all of this.
I have had about the same experience as Chris.

There are really only 2 components to a pressure washer, the engine and the pump. I think the pump is the more important of the 2. Do not skimp on the pump! Most PWs have a Honda engine that should provide you with good service, the pump OTOH truly makes or breaks the unit. You will need to spend at least $500 on a PW or you are wasting your money. Concentrate your research on the pump.

[John Huds0n]

Honda GX commercial grade engine with a Cat pump

Worst thing you can do is have it running but not spraying any water - make sure whatever you buy has a thermal overload! Otherwise the pump can overheat and be damaged

I bought mine several years ago from this place. They use a nice aluminum frame so that the pump is in front of the motor versus side by side, so it is pretty narrow and easier to move around. You can basically pick your pump and engine that you want/can afford

http://store.spraymallstore.com/5565hphopowa.html

[ken masoumi]

I have heard a lot of high praises for Hotsy industrial pressure washers,they have two types hot water and cold water pressure washers,I'm not sure if I can post a link here but it is easy to find ,just google Hotsy pressure washers.I don't know about prices ,probably more than $600.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

I have heard a lot of high praises for Hotsy industrial pressure washers,they have two types hot water and cold water pressure washers,I'm not sure if I can post a link here but it is easy to find ,just google Hotsy pressure washers.I don't know about prices ,probably more than $600.

Yes, these are the best out there. Expecting to spend 5-600 on a pressure washer and expecting top tier commercial will cause frustration. My last Hotsy cost $4000 and it was a stationary unit. Mobile cost more yet. You get what you pay for though.

[Rick Moyer]

I have a nice North Star unit I bought from Northern Tool. I went gas with the nicer Honda engine. I've had it about 3 years now and even with me 'forgetting' to run it dry (get all the gas out before winter), it has never failed to fire up by at least the 3rd pull. Once it has been fired in the spring, one pull does it.

Gas is nice because it is a bit more portable than electric. Gas is also cheaper than an equivalent electric. You may need a long length of extension cord pulling 240 V for the electric, too. It all depends on the HP you want and the power you want out of your PW. I spray my house and clean pool decking and driveway and I wanted power to amputate my foot with. I even used my PW to dig out a stubborn tree (boy, that was messy but worked great!)

I also went with a Cat brand triplex pump. These are the best pumps out there.

Get a nice hose with a nice reel and a variety of tips to choose from. Look into a turbo nozzle as well...good ones are in the $40-60 range and worth it. Talk about spraying power!! (insert Tim 'The Toolman' Allen grunts here)

If I remember, I'll update this post later with the exact model I got and what I paid.

+1 to all of this.
I have had about the same experience as Chris.

There are really only 2 components to a pressure washer, the engine and the pump. I think the pump is the more important of the 2. Do not skimp on the pump! Most PWs have a Honda engine that should provide you with good service, the pump OTOH truly makes or breaks the unit. You will need to spend at least $500 on a PW or you are wasting your money. Concentrate your research on the pump.

Yep! I'll agree with both. Your price point will limit you here though. I've been using a unit in your price range for many years now but have been considering a new one lately. If I do get a replacement it will be a belt drive with a Cat pump and Honda engine, but that is the hold-up because they're around $1500.

[Mike Lassiter]

I feel strongly that small gas motor tools are a rent not buy item. Unless you're using it weekly, the maintenance just outweighs the fun of ownership.

FWIW and all...

I have a Craftsman gasoline engine pressure washer that I have had 11 or more years. I have had to rebuild the carburetor at least once, maybe more because of leaving gas in the tank that gummed the needle up (stuck in the metal housing & had to be pulled out with wire pliers). Many years ago I got a used Snap On electric pressure washer that served me well, but didn't have the pressure nor volume of water the Craftsman has. There is a fuel shutoff valve on the Craftsman, and I have ran it after finishing washing with the valve turned off and run the engine out of gas; yet there was still gas left in the tank. That would be my only argument for an electric one. Engine has worked fine as has the pump. I try to limit the gas that I put into the tank so I can run it out dry when I will finish with it. Cannot recall the cost exactly but think it was in the $400-$500 range when bought.
Leaving unused gas in the tank for months or until the next year WILL most likely create starting problems due to the ethanol in the gas turning to a sticky mess that will stick the needle and float were it will not get any gas to run. That is if you forget to run it dry.