Need help with selecting a good Pressure Washer

[davegonz]

The wife and I are looking to buy a good pressure washer for our old house. We have a pretty big deck and hate to take all day cleaning it with a cheap'o pressure washer.

We looked at the Home Depot, Lowes and Sears models. All of them had a Honda engine (3800 psi, 4.0 gpm). I also found a Mi-T-M commercial model with a Subaru engine and AR pump (3000 psi, 3.0 gpm). They are all around the same price.

Anyone recommend any other brands/models for under $1k???

 

[bigndn]

You have a Costco down there? I really like my Karcher. Honda motor, 3000 psi, etc, etc. for $440. It's worked great overall, but the wand has broken 2X.

Costco - Kärcher 3000 PSI Gas Powered Pressure Washer

 

[reffug]

I own a troy bilt and it great. I think the most important thing is to purchase one with a Honda engine. Seems you are already aware of that. Just look at what kind of psi you want and make sure its a honda engine and all should be good. Another thing to look at is does it use different tips for its pressure or is the wand itself adjustable. I have used both types and they both have their pro's and con's.

 

[bigndn]

I own a troy bilt and it great. I think the most important thing is to purchase one with a Honda engine. Seems you are already aware of that. Just look at what kind of psi you want and make sure its a honda engine and all should be good. Another thing to look at is does it use different tips for its pressure or is the wand itself adjustable. I have used both types and they both have their pro's and con's.

I think most of the homeowner line have different tips for pressure adjustment. One thing to watch out for is making certain it's locked into the quick connect. If it's not in there pretty good, you might never find it once you go to high pressure.

 

[D'Animal]

Do you want the Hot Water option?

Look in the Northern Tools Catalog for some other options out there.

The biggest difference between some of the cheap ones and the good ones is if a servicing dealer is in tha area.

 

[haystax]

Hotsy - only way to go...

If you go cheaper make sure it is a Honda engine with a belt driven or rubber coupled detached pump -

Are you sure you want a gas powered machine?

 

[davegonz]

Yes, the outlets are too damn far in some places and I need the higher GPM/PSI.

I priced a new Hotsy and it was well over $2k new.

 

[D'Animal]

You can also rent them.

 

[davegonz]

Thanks for the help guys. We ended up scoring a lightly used one on craigslist. It's got a Honda engine and a General pump.

DeWalt DP3750 Heavy-Duty 3750 PSI Gas Pressure Washer

 

[Trollhole]

Congrats


This is what I bought a couple months ago. This is my second one in ten years. And half that time it was used on constructions sites. Ironically the motor gave up before the head did.


On tips make sure you get a whirly bird. It is by far the best attachment.

 

[davegonz]

Yeah, that tip is next on my list.

 

[bigndn]

On tips make sure you get a whirly bird. It is by far the best attachment.

Yeah, that tip is next on my list.

Whazzdat?

 

[davegonz]

Whirly Bird = Rotary Nozzle

It's a tip that has a zero degree angle spray that rotates 360 degrees as it sprays. I've read that it increases cleaning efficiency by 200%.

Rotary Turbo Nozzles

 

[Trollhole]

Yes sorry it's a SC slang term for it. Makes cleaning driveways a snap. I use it for just about anything that is 10 ft and closer.

 

[Rob Faucett]

Dave - You are aware that paint and skim coat cement can be removed with a pressure washer, right?

 

[davegonz]

Yes...Oh what a 0 degree tip can do.