Benefit to excess Horsepower?

[johnebe]

I'm shopping for a cold-water $1000 machine and am finding that most of the mass market ones use the 13HP Honda GX with an AR 4gal/3500psi pump. AR's specs show that this pump will operate with a 9HP. Is there any benefit to this headroom?
They also show that the 13HP will run their 4.5g/4000psi pump and that pumps MSRP is only $30 more. ..any reason not to max out your engine.

Thanks for any help.

 

[johnebe]

sorry..the AR spec says it will run with a 10HP not 9HP. Its the RKV pump.

 

[Russ Johnson]

The horsepower they are referring to is electric horsepower. For a gas engine to produce the same result requires another 50% more. Gas engine hp for 4 gpm, 3,500 psi is actually 14.5.

 

[JohnB]

That Honda motor is great ... On my whitco 13 hp I get 3500 psi / 4 gpm and it turns the 2000 watt winco generator to power the burner ... 200 degrees.. HONDA POWER !!!!

Try This with a Briggs and watch it explode..

As for AR pumps ( I have had bad luck with them) spend the extra money and get a CAT or a GENERAL..

 

[Hotwaterwizard]

Over sizing your engine is a great idea.
The engine will last longer if it is under less load.