Pressure Washer

[ddickey]

Thinking it would be nice to have a pressure washer. I could probably spray off dirty machines I bring home.
Looking for suggestions for anyone who has one. Was think gas powered would be the better.?

 

[Rich Berg]

HI, I have both electric and gas, the nice thing about the electric is that it always runs and lower maintenance. the gas is more powerful and moves more water. either way you still have a water hose to pull around with the gas unit. I end up using the electric more.
Rich

 

[SLK001]

A typical gas machine is 3000 psi at 2+ gpm.

A typical electric machine is 1800 psi at around 1 gpm.

To effectively clean, you need water flow at high pressures. I have both types. For heavy duty cleaning, I'll pull out the gas machine. For quick and dirty operations, I'll pull out the electric. But sometimes the electric can't cut the mustard, so I drag out the gas machine.

 

[Eddyde]

Pressure washers are great for certain cleaning tasks but not for everything as they can easily damage some materials. I wouldn't attempt to clean a complete machine with one, only a stripped down castings, frames or individual parts. The two main things to consider when shopping for one are Pressure and Gallons Per Minute. It is the combined weight/volume of the water, traveling at high velocity/pressure, is the measure of how effectively and fast it will clean. Typically electric machines can get medium-high pressures but not deliver high volume like gas machines can. However, that may be fine for getting grime and loose paint off of small metal areas like a machine casting, etc. If you want to clean large areas, concrete, etc, gas is the way to go.

 

[Eddyde]

Also, a 0º, rotary nozzle is the best/must have accessory, they aren't cheap but well worth the cost.

 

[Uglydog]

I have two, both gas. Don't need two, and have been thinking of making space. Let me know if you'd like more data.

Daryl
MN

 

[CJ5Dave]

We have kept electric ones for years as my wife dies not want to crank a gas one. Great for washing the cars, a little weak but usable for cleaning off the deck to reseal. Figure on buying a new one every 2 to 3 years. Just bought a gas, (Simpson) can’t let it run but a few seconds without pulling the trigger. The gas one will take off paint if not careful.

 

[projectnut]

Like others I also have 2 pressure washers. One is electric and the other is gas powered. The electric one is a small commercial unit built by Tipton Electric Motors out of Tipton Iowa. It has a 2 hp Baldor electric motor powering a General TT9111 triplex pump. It puts out 3 gpm at 3,000 psi. The motor can be wired either 120 or 240 single phase. If wired for 120 it needs a 30-amp circuit.

The gas powered one is a NorthStar model 157127. It has a Honda GX390 engine powering a Cat Triplex pump. It puts out 3.5 gpm at 4200 psi.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/northstar-gas-cold-water-pressure-washer-4200-psi-3-5-gpm-honda-engine-model-157127-157127#hotbar-description

I bought the electric one first and used in several years around the house and shop with no problems. When we took it to the cottage to pressure wash the pier and deck there wasn't a big enough circuit to run it on 120. I jury rigged a plug for the unused dryer outlet. The dryer circuit later was repurposed for central air so the electric power washer could no longer be used there.

I tried another 120-volt electric one, but it didn't work well on the length of extension cord needed. That's when I went with the NorthStar gas powered unit. We use this one regularly to clean the deck, pier, and walkways.

If you buy a quality unit, it should last many years. The TEM electric one was purchased around 1986. It was used on a daily basis until 2000 to clean machines for rebuilding. About 2003 the pump wore out and was replaced with the current pump. For the casual use it gets today it should last another 20 years or longer.

 

[Pevehouse]

Thinking it would be nice to have a pressure washer. I could probably spray off dirty machines I bring home.
Looking for suggestions for anyone who has one. Was think gas powered would be the better.?

DEWALT gas powered pressure washer. I believe it’s a 3400 psi. I have one at home and the shop. The one at work has been a beast. It get zero attention. We never service it. It has literally worn the legs off of it and the little Honda engine just keeps on going,lol

 

[mmcmdl]

My warning about gas ............you can't carry a large gas unit down the basement where it won't freeze in the winter . I blew the pump on mine when it froze over the winter . My electric is easy to stash downstairs and bring back up in the spring . The 5 horse Honda still runs strong from the gas unit though .