Why not Rotax Engines?

[Tony Shelton]

A 24 hp honda engine is over 100 lbs. A 50 hp rotax is only 71 lbs.

I had the Rotax 503 before and it is VERY easy and inexpensive to work on.

I was just wondering what attributes of these engines make them a bad choice for pressure washing? I know they are air cooled, but an electric fan wouldn't add that much to the mix.

http://www.vortechonline.com/engines/

 

[greg/sd]

Tony I think most of the engines on that site are 2 stroke and have to be ran at high rpm to get the power ratings stated. I dont see why they wouldn't work, you would just have to gear the pump down to the right rpm.

 

[Scott Stone]

Because they aren't available at Harbor Freight...

It might be an interesting exercise to see how one of the higher horsepower engines would work with one of the monster pressure washer pumps. One thing I do like is that some are water cooled. In our neck of the woods, that could be really beneficial. I would interested to know what the engine speed is, and if it could be turned down enough to be the right speed for a pressure pump.

 

[Tony Shelton]

I don't remember about the RPM. But I do know they have a lot of snort from idle to takeoff.

 

[Christopher]

I wonder if those engines would be good for hovercraft?

 

[Russ Johnson]

Know why? No governor. Set it for proper operating rpm, let go of the gun, and...kablooie!

 

[Tony R]

Few years back I thought I made a 2 stroke rotax go Kablooie. It was on a snowmobile and the belt literally exploded at about 90 mph. I dont know what kind of rpm the engine hit with no load on it after the belt let go, but I was at about 8,000 rpm before it went, and I was pinned. My old man put 10,000 miles on that sled with no rebuild. Strong little engine

 

[Vince Wood]

90 mph on a snowmobile? Sounds like fun but I'll watch from the sidelines.

 

[Tony Shelton]

That makes sense.