Guy Blackmon
Roundtable Host 2009
Thanks Tony......Needed that one too.
Guy Blackmon was right!
- Thread starter JDhomeservices
- Start date
Good job guys
Text me for info on Milwaukee event. 480-522-5227
Text me for info on Milwaukee event. 480-522-5227
814jeffw
Active member
Been looking to maybe go with 8 GPM over the last few years. I have a couple questions?
(1) Does 8 GPM require 1/2 inch hose for max performance, or is 3/8 adequate?
(2) Working entirely from a supply tank, does anyone have issues with proper "feeding" when you begin to run low in the tank? And if so, at what amount of gallons are left in the tank when the noticeable change in performance begins to show?
Thanks,
Jeff
(1) Does 8 GPM require 1/2 inch hose for max performance, or is 3/8 adequate?
(2) Working entirely from a supply tank, does anyone have issues with proper "feeding" when you begin to run low in the tank? And if so, at what amount of gallons are left in the tank when the noticeable change in performance begins to show?
Thanks,
Jeff
Doug Rucker
Roundtable Host 2009
1) On all of mine, I have 3, I use 3/8 and it is fine..
Two of the machines, that I bought used, have a 1/2 hose going from the machine to the hose reel, (and then 3/8 on the hose reel)
2)I never notice a problem unless it drains completely empty
Two of the machines, that I bought used, have a 1/2 hose going from the machine to the hose reel, (and then 3/8 on the hose reel)
2)I never notice a problem unless it drains completely empty
JDhomeservices
New member
I've wondered before how much difference it would make for concrete cleaning if I used 1/2" hose. Not sure it would be worth it though. 3/8" R2 hose is bad enough. I can stretch out 200' of 3/8'' R2 in a field, and when I try to drag it back in the other direction, I can lean over (without having the hose snagged on anything) and the hose will hold me up. Takes a lot of muscle to move it. I'm only 135 lbs though.
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Christopher
Moderator
I only use my 1/2" hose when cleaning very bad concrete and I need all the pressure the machine puts out. The 3/8" hose loses about 135psi for every 100' of hose you have where the 1/2" hose you only lose about 45psi every 100' of hose.
Most of the time I use the 3/8" hose for house washing, truck washing, concrete washing (not really filthy stuff) and it does fine.
When working with the 8gpm and 5.6gpm machines at the same time, I have had supply hoses keep the 325 gallon tank full and then I have had times where I had to use 2 or even 3 supply hoses from the house or building, just depends on their plumbing at the location. I keep several hoses on the trailer just in case.
We were doing an apartment complex a couple years ago and had the 5gpm, 5.6gpm and 8gpm machines going and had to have 4 or 5 supply hoses running to the tank to keep it full when doing part of the job. That is the same job where I had to string out 1225 or 1250' of pressure hose to reach around a building because they did not block off parking areas for my truck and trailer. I was using the 8gpm machine for that building and it worked great, even with that much hose for washing the building.
I never notice any performance issues with using the 325 gallon tank whether it is full or almost empty, I just try to make sure that I look at it during the job so the tank does not go empty and let the pump cavitate. Most of the time my 3/4" supply hose on the reel (225') will do a good job keeping the tank full if the property has good flow at the water faucet.
I am sure you have read about the benefits of more gpm's when working (5.5 vs. 8) and there are always good and bad to consider but one of the best things is that rinsing with 8gpm you can move a whole lot more debris faster and shoot higher up walls and on dormers and sides of buildings with 8gpm and that is one of the benefits I see the best with the 8gpm machine.
Most of the time I use the 3/8" hose for house washing, truck washing, concrete washing (not really filthy stuff) and it does fine.
When working with the 8gpm and 5.6gpm machines at the same time, I have had supply hoses keep the 325 gallon tank full and then I have had times where I had to use 2 or even 3 supply hoses from the house or building, just depends on their plumbing at the location. I keep several hoses on the trailer just in case.
We were doing an apartment complex a couple years ago and had the 5gpm, 5.6gpm and 8gpm machines going and had to have 4 or 5 supply hoses running to the tank to keep it full when doing part of the job. That is the same job where I had to string out 1225 or 1250' of pressure hose to reach around a building because they did not block off parking areas for my truck and trailer. I was using the 8gpm machine for that building and it worked great, even with that much hose for washing the building.
I never notice any performance issues with using the 325 gallon tank whether it is full or almost empty, I just try to make sure that I look at it during the job so the tank does not go empty and let the pump cavitate. Most of the time my 3/4" supply hose on the reel (225') will do a good job keeping the tank full if the property has good flow at the water faucet.
I am sure you have read about the benefits of more gpm's when working (5.5 vs. 8) and there are always good and bad to consider but one of the best things is that rinsing with 8gpm you can move a whole lot more debris faster and shoot higher up walls and on dormers and sides of buildings with 8gpm and that is one of the benefits I see the best with the 8gpm machine.
Christopher
Moderator
When I got my 1/2" hose a couple years ago, I was hand coiling it on the ground, all 165' of it and it was tiring to say the least. I finally pulled a hose off the reel and put this hose onto the hose reel and it sure made life a lot better. The hose that was on that reel is hand coiled and hardly ever used but still on the trailer if needed.
Andy Hinson
New member
I bought the kit from Russ to connect two machines. Never tried it. Yet. I've considered an 8gpm in cold water model because I'm mostly residential and roof cleaning.
Is Pressure pro the right choice?
Is Pressure pro the right choice?
Russ Johnson
Equipment Expert
Pressure Pro makes some fine high volume cold water pressure washers.
Andy Hinson
New member
Yes. Russ you sell them. Are they reliable? I can't see how they couldn't be. A local distributor sells BE. They have an 8@3000 that is basically a skid on wheels. When I tell them I like pressure pro their response is,good luck.
hot water for less money. I don't want two hot water units on the trail
Russ Johnson
Equipment Expert
Sure. Honda engines and AR or General pumps are very reliable.
The only thing I don't like about the BE is you're stuck with a Comet pump...no choice of AR or General.
The only thing I don't like about the BE is you're stuck with a Comet pump...no choice of AR or General.
JDhomeservices
New member
I think BE equipment and Comet pumps are both under rated. At least in my opinion. I've had good experience with both.
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Andy Hinson
New member
I like the mobility of Pressue Pro design. Thinking of using 55gal portable buffer tank
Rapid HotClean
New member
When you join two machines together and they don't produce the same PSI, do you end up the lower PSI of the two or with the average between them?
JDhomeservices
New member
carolinawildcat
New member
Josh: please send pic of the coupling/mating of the 2 machines.
Guy: explain why you "wash from the road" on driveways.
My biggest issue is set-up/break-down time, and I'm sure most of the guys on this board know what I mean. Therefore, any increases in productivity -- however small -- help a lot.
Guy: explain why you "wash from the road" on driveways.
My biggest issue is set-up/break-down time, and I'm sure most of the guys on this board know what I mean. Therefore, any increases in productivity -- however small -- help a lot.
JDhomeservices
New member
Here ya go:
What do you mean by set up/break down time? Its not any different than any other pressure washer, except that you have to have your ball valve at the end of the line open so that you can start the second engine without having too much compression built up. I have a hose reel attached to my truck. I pull the hose off and disconnect it from a quick connect coupler I have on the hose reel and attach it directly to the pressure washers.
carolinawildcat
New member
Sorry, the comment about productivity was directed to Guy re: washing from the road.
Thanks for pic. I never mounted my unit because I use trailer for other things. And have to confess, sometimes I'm short on pressure hose & have to roll that damn thing off to get close enough, even though I routinely carry 250' of hose. The majority of the homes in my target market are medium-large ranches with detached garages, and throw in a deck or a pool, and I'm plum outta hose on maybe 2 out of 10 jobs.
Thanks for pic. I never mounted my unit because I use trailer for other things. And have to confess, sometimes I'm short on pressure hose & have to roll that damn thing off to get close enough, even though I routinely carry 250' of hose. The majority of the homes in my target market are medium-large ranches with detached garages, and throw in a deck or a pool, and I'm plum outta hose on maybe 2 out of 10 jobs.