Any pressure washer experts?

[Hunter8282]

I am going to be in market for a pressure washer for home/barn use. Mostly cleaning off the concrete of our animal pens in the pole barn and other animal related cleaning chores.

Anything I should look for in particular? Brands to avoid?

Thanks!

 

[Rule3]

I like anything with a Honda engine.

Only advice I can give is if you do not use it on a very regular basis, drain out the pump and squirt some of the pump saver in it, It will save your pump from clogging up due to minerals in the water. For $5 very cheap insurance and you can use it several times.

As far as the engine, regular maintenance like any other engine especially if up North and it freezes, Winterize it!

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-Pressure-Washer-Saver/dp/B0012VY200"]Amazon.com: Briggs & Stratton Pressure Washer Pump Saver - 4 Oz. 6039: Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/419087ychfL.@@AMEPARAM@@419087ychfL[/ame]

 

[johnbeaver]

Had one with a 5 HP Honda. Great little washer. Loaned it, blah.. blah..
Needed a new one, so Got one with a little more power. 10 HP Honda. Great bigger washer.
Uh oh..
Don't get one you can't put in the back of your p/u by yourself.
From what I've seen most are pretty simple and the pumps are made by one or two companies. Look for one with a good engine and available parts.

 

[Zipdog]

Any of them for sale in a big box store is junk. Yes the engines are good but the rest is junk.

 

[rwsmith]

Expert?

Last time I used a pressure washer it knocked me off the ladder.

 

[brigeton]

I'm not an expert but I'd go with one with a Honda motor. I've never had that good of luck with Briggs & Stratton engines.

 

[Hotshot9]

I use one for a living I'm a painter and do a lot of decks also. I use a Mi-t-m "Mighty M" Great power washer commercial grade, not to heavy to lift and move. some advice is always release the pressure when you pull start any preasure washer. and keep and Eye on you pump oil level. there is a small window with a mark to show you pump oil level and when the pump oil starts to look milky it's time for a change. And of coarse check your motor oil as well.

 

[James&theGiant1911]

I went to the local Yamaha dealer and bought a pressure washer. CAT pump and starts every-time. I love it.

Plus I use a foam cannon on it, to clean and clean.

 

[bagga]

if you're going to be using it inside a building, i wouldn't use a washer with a gas motor.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

The pump itself is the weak link-I have a Honda powered one that I bought from Lowes 10 or so years ago and it still works pretty good.

 

[dougb1946]

You probably want water volume more than water pressure. Pressure will test the quality of the concrete.
Read the instructions . Every warning is there because somebody didn't.

 

[johngalt]

Learn to use it. My folks hired a painter to repaint their wood deck. The guy wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. He used one to strip the old paint and gouged/scarred the wood all over.

 

[venomballistics]

they work brilliantly for cleaning even the most repulsive toilets...
it's still not a great idea however.

 

[mojave30cal]

The March 2016 issue of Consumer Reports has a product
review on pressure washers on page 22. Pressure washers
come with colored tips to denote degree of spay and power.
The 15 degree spray yellow nozzle is for heavy-duty cleaning
of concrete, such as outdoor walks and garage floors, plus
stripping paint and grease from hard surfaces.

The gas powered pressure washer that got the top rating
is the Cub Cadet ( CC3224) which sells for $500.00.

You can also check out their buying guide for pressure washers
at: ConsumerReports.org/pressurewashers. Hope this helps.

 

[Squarebutt]

Never press the trigger without a nozzle on the wand. You'll blow the O-rings into another zip code. Also, it will be easier to start if you have water flowing through the hose and wand, taking the pressure off the pump.

 

[JSR III]

I've had several. Purchased at HD. Loaned one out to a friend and he burned out the pump. On that model, you could not let the motor run for more than thirty seconds without pulling the trigger or the pump would burn out.

Replaced that one and it was stolen.

Replaced that one and have only used it once or twice. Also since you are from MI, make sure that you drain out any water before winter. Otherwise you can kiss the pump goodbye and have to replace it come spring. If you can store it in a warm basement then it may not be an issue but mine stays in a detached outbuilding and it's colder than a well diggers walnuts out there right now.

 

[Engineer1911]

From personal experience, I can warn you: Don't buy a pressure washer at Lowe's. Honda engine is great, pump is Chinese junk with no spare parts available. All the pump parts need spares because of poor quality.

 

[Wingmaster]

I would suggest getting one with a CAT pump.

I am in the car wash business and have tried a few other brands of pumps and now I won't bother with anything else.

Wingmaster

 

[James&theGiant1911]

plus CAT is rebuild-able, replace the oil every so often and you are good.

 

[sandmansans]

Like others have said, it's the pump that you have to worry about failing rather than the motor. Cat is good for the reasons others have mentioned, namely being rebuildable. The Honda units are usually my recommendation. Thryre pricey. But as the saying goes: Buy cheap and you pay twice. Trust me, that's almost always the case with the Home Depot and Lowes branded stuff. Like Kobalt etc.

Also, take great caution in using them. Back when my dad wasn't retired and I was in High School,he bought a new Honda commercial washer. Don't remember the specs, but do know he paid around 4 grand. Needless to say this monster would easily scoure concrete! The point that I am making is that if your buying this to wash the car and do light cleaning, take care in not buying a unit too strong for the job and making sure you use the right nozzles.

Wish you luck.