Dirt Killer machine question

Chris S

Chris S

New member
I looked @ a used Dirt Killer that a guy I know is selling. I don't know the exact model, but it is 4gpm @ 3000 or 3200 psi with an 11hp Honda and a Kranzle pump. When we fired it up, there were a few peculiar things. I am completley unfamiliar with Kranzle pumps so I am hoping someone here has some info.

1. When the machine was running and the gun was not activated, the pressure would fall from 3200 to about 2000 and then spike back up to 3200. The machine did this repeatedly. When water was flowing, the pressure stayed constant.

2. When the machine was shut off, the pressure would quickly bleed down to 0 psi. There were no leaks detected in any hoses, guns, or the pump.

I would really like to purchase this machine, but I would hate to have to dump money into it to get it running correctly. From what he was saying, the Kranzle pump is expensive to get worked on. Thanks to anyone who can help.
 
im not 100% sure but

im pretty sure the whole pressure thing is related to the fact the KRENZLE has a pump that can run DRY.
It is prob. the only pump that can run dry without doing damage.
The only draw-back might be the local availability of part's.
 
I was thinking the same thing Ron. I was reading up on the Kranzle's and with the ability to run dry and run in bypass for an extended time, I would assume that they would have to re-circulate water very efficiently and the pressure changes would be a product of this. Or, the thing is junk and needs to be rebuilt. Hopefully someone can shed some light on this.
 
my thinking

the pump is designed to purge all the water out of it and run dry,no recirclation of any water.
When no water is in the pump it must not make a airtight seal,just a watertight seal.
Since their is no compression with no water. The pressure guage goes to zero.
But what the heck do i know. This is just a guess.
 
I have never heard of such a pump and do not like the concept of running a pump dry. My brain tells me to stay away from it. Check it out for yourself how hard is it to get parts for? How many dealers in your area even heard of that pump? You may find out too late. It is not a standard in the industry and parts will be real hard to find for it.
 
Dirt Killer

We are sales and service for Dirt Killer equipment.
It is true. You can run the pump in bypass because the plungers are stainless instead of ceramic and operates on a wobbble plate instead of pistons. Also, the wobble plate and the plungers are bathed in oil.
The Kranzle pump is German made and has been around a long time.
The Dirt Killer company is in Owens Mill, MD.
It sounds like you may have an air leak somewhere in the fittings.
If I can help, please call.
Ron
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info Ron. Through the research that I have done, it seems that this is a pretty good machine. Hopefully all that is wrong is an air leak, so this machine is a pretty good value.
 
Not to hurt anyones fealings. Wableplate pumps are junk.
 
Not to hurt the Wiz's feelings but I disagree.

The Kranzle wobble plate pump is a really good pump and extremely durable BUT like every other single source of supply pump they do have issues with parts and service costs and availability.

Kranzle is a very small player in the market place, even smaller than us :) Therefore their ability to have cost effective parts and knowledgeable service in a timely fashion will be challenged (no offense intended Mr. Strickland).

In GENERAL, wobble plate pumps are inferior to piston and plunger pumps. Pumps like the Faip have rightfully earned that reputation. The Comet wobble plate pumps are really quite reliable especially for the price. Karcher and Wap pumps are wobble plate design and again they are pretty good but suffer mightily from high parts cost and potentially difficult availability.

Essentially what Chris really needs to look at is the total llifecycle costs of the purchase regardless of the initial cost. Things like parts and maintenance costs, lost time waiting for parts/service, parts costs and so on. Remember a Yugo is only cheap once and a Mercedes is never cheap. Somewhere in between is your happy place.

Hope this helps? Cheers.
 
Last edited:
No offense taken Michael.
When we order parts from Dirt Killer, it only takes two days and they are always in stock.
Dirt Killer equipment has it's place.
 
Last edited:
If we didn't have different opinions we would all be the same!
 
You are 1,000% right, John

I have had a favorite saying for years and it is by no means directed at you:

"If you and I were alike, you wouldn't be necessary"

I respect your opinions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top