Question

oneness

oneness

Member
Well, I'm new here, and this is sort of my first post. I have been pressure washing as a part of my job off and on for some time (mostly sidewalks/driveways), but am starting out on my own. I have been doing a LOT of reading on this and other boards, and have learned a lot, so thanks to all of you who so graciously and generously share your years of expertise and knowledge.

At any rate, I have a question (the first of many). In my reading, I have come to understand that a hot water machine is definitely better for most applications. Despite that, I cannot afford one at this point, and plan to get a cold water machine and then get a hot machine when I have sufficient funds. However, I am not clear on what are the most important aspects of the machine. One one hand, I hear that the higher the PSI, the better. On the other hand, I hear that the GPM is the most important aspect. Which is it?

There are two machines I am looking at, and I realize that neither are top of the line machines, but they are the best I can do right now with my limited start up funds. The first is a Devilbiss (Excel) machine, 3600PSI 4GPM machine, with a Honda engine (I beleive it is a 13HP). The other is a 4000PSI 4GPM machine with a Kohler engine (Again, I believe it is a 13HP or thereabouts).

Any opinions on either of these for start up cold water machines? Both are $1000.00. The MOST I could spend at this point is $1500.00, and that is a stretch. Any suggestions in leiu of these?

Thanks for any help any of you guys can provide, and thanks for all t he help you have thus far given through your many posts!

Mike Williamson
Gainesville, FL
 
ron p/mike

mike, Hi, and welcom.
You want a the hightest gpm unit you can get and 3000 to 3500 PSI.
Second you want a belt drive type rather then direct drive.
They last longer.
If you had a 3 GPM unit with 4000 psi. You basicly have a big spray can. You wont clean much.
If you had 5 gpm and only 1500psi you have a heavy duty garden hose.
5 gal per min and 3000 psi is enuff to wash cement with a surface cleaner and then you can reduce the pressure with diffrent tips to wash wood and keep the 5 gpm flowing.
this is the industry standard.
www.mobileclean.com click specials
they have a nice belt drive on sale untill the end of the month
4 gpm 3000psi belt drive.
You can also check ebay but you wont get any support after you buy.
In the beginning a 4gpm may be better then a 5 because some house spigot's can support 5 and you will need a tank. You want to stay portable,so a 4 gpm is prob. best.
Dont forget to get a in-line water filter. It's very important.
Good luck and keep up with your homework you can learn a lot here.
 
Thanks for the info! As far as a belt drive machine, is there any real advantage other than life expectancy (and possibly ease of maintenance/repair)? I see about an $800.00 difference between direct and belt drive with the same PSI/GPM. Like I said, start up funds are limited at this point.

Thanks!

Mike
 
ron p/mike

belt drive units work less then a direct drive.
It has to do with the pulley's.
Also one that site you saw a brand new pump for $289.00 and if the pump breaks you just change it out or rebuild it,same with motor. Direct drive units usally break both the motor and the pump at the same time.
A home depot top of the line is about $1000
They sell all the do-dads your going to need.
If that's where your budget will start you at then go for it. If you sign up for there credit card there is a 10% discount. That just saved you $100.
Then no paynents for 90 days.
Home depot will finance your whole start-up and give you a discount.
That saved $100 will by extra tips,garden hose,garden hose reel,and an extra langth of pressure hose. And you get 10% off of that also.
As long as your there go to the back and get 5 gal of Zep purple degreaser and a couple gallons of SIMPLE GREEN.
YOUR OFF AND RUNNING AND NO MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET.
GO GET EM.
 
Re: ron p/mike

ron p said:
belt drive units work less then a direct drive.
It has to do with the pulley's.
Also one that site you saw a brand new pump for $289.00 and if the pump breaks you just change it out or rebuild it,same with motor. Direct drive units usally break both the motor and the pump at the same time.
A home depot top of the line is about $1000
They sell all the do-dads your going to need.
If that's where your budget will start you at then go for it. If you sign up for there credit card there is a 10% discount. That just saved you $100.
Then no paynents for 90 days.
Home depot will finance your whole start-up and give you a discount.
That saved $100 will by extra tips,garden hose,garden hose reel,and an extra langth of pressure hose. And you get 10% off of that also.
As long as your there go to the back and get 5 gal of Zep purple degreaser and a couple gallons of SIMPLE GREEN.
YOUR OFF AND RUNNING AND NO MONEY OUT OF YOUR POCKET.
GO GET EM.
Click to expand...
P.S. LOOK BY THE PAINT DEPT OR OUTSIDE THEY HAVE SOME RETURNS THAT WILL SELL FOR A LOT LESS. pEOPLE BUY THEM, USE THEM FOR 1 PROJECT, THEN RETURN THEM.
 
I have a devilibliss Honda 13hp 3600 psi 4gal/min just like you asked about. Paid 700 bucks for it at Home depot..it was last years model and I had a 10% discount with 6 months free financing. Paid for it in one month and its been green profit ever since. No complaints. Could have spent alot more to start, but I just couldnt justify it. I put a little aside every month for a new cats daddy one while I am using this. It is very sufficient. Its like buying a car...when you have one to drive around while you are looking you can be more selective. I watch the classefied ads and the internet looking for somebody who just wants out of business and needs to turn their equipment or a good special at my local contractor. Thats just my two cents. Good luck!
 
Mike,

I too started with a Home Depot 13hp/4gpm unit. As I had the need (and the $$) I added hot water. I bought a hot box from my local Landa dealer for about $750. It was a rental pw unit that had died, so they disconnected the pump/motor and tuned up the burner. It has worked, though it weights about 600lbs, so it can be a pain getting on/off the trailer. In August, I bought a new rig, so I don't use the hot box anymore, but it was just what the doctor ordered at the time.

Knowing what I know now, I would have bought a belt drive unit. I have seen them promoted on this and other bbs's for around $1200. At the least, I would get the pw from Lowes - it has a Cat pump fo about $1150.
 
Mike,

Personally, I prefer the Honda engine. As for a surface cleaner, I was using a Whirl-A-Way 18" w/wheels until I bought my used Landa Water Jet. I believe that Northern Tool has the Whirl-A-Way on sale for $399. It works fine, though eventually the wheels need replacing. (Mine lasted about 10 months of almost daily use for drives/sidewalks.)
 
I too would like to purchase a surface cleaner. Is my 4gal/3500 hoda sufficient for a surface cleaner? If so, what do you guys reccomed..I saw the reconmedation for the whirl away..that is my first choice right now.
 
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