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I’m wanting to get a 5-ish horsepower washer, 2200-2600 psi, 2-3 gallon per minute, under $500. My usage would be intermittent, maybe once every week or two. The most readily available units near me seem to be Sears Craftsman (Briggs & Stratton engine), and Generac (with either Briggs-Stratton or Honda engines).
Any experiences with either brand?
Honda engines command a $50-100 premium over the Briggs — is it REALLY worth it? If the Honda is quieter, the neighbors in my semi-urban setting will appreciate it. Reliability and low maintenance are very important as well — last thing I want to do in my free time is mess around with small engines.
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Tom, The machine that you're describing is not good for much of anything. For $1000 , you can get one that will do almost anything. I would suggest you go rent a good one and try it on whatever jobs you would normally use if for, just to see what a better unit can do. Yes, Honda engines are worth every penny you pay for them! For example, you can get a really good 11 h.p. Honda powered, 4 gal/min, 3500psi unit from Northern Supply for around $1000.
*Ditto G's comments. Honda GX series is the engine you want .........Honda also makes a GC series which is a homeowner type engine.
*Like the man says, Honda engine-and Cat pump if you can afford it.
*What's a "Cat" Pump ???
*I have a commercial unit for cleaning tennis courts and I have the largest electric unit that Lowes sells for home use. I love the little guy now more than ever. I used it to blow off the 10 year old stain from my cedar siding, and it did a better job than the monster due to less water splashing back at me. I clean my boats, trailers and trucks with it, I just cleaned a new rock wall. The neighbors hardly hear it run, It cost very little, and it stops running the minute you stop pulling the trigger. What I am saying is that I have found that two units are better than one midsize unit. In your case, just rent the larger unit when you really need it, which you may never. Try one, Lowes has a great return policy...I have the Karcher 1200 new model with dual spray head...they make a 1350 too that is on wheels like a golf cart.near the big and the small stream,aj
*AJ, just when I think I've got you pegged, you go off and say something wild- like this electric pressure washer business. That being said, I too, have an electric washer which I'm rather fond of. Doesn't have the power of some of the bigger gasoline driven units but it's quiet and, as AJ notes, doesn't tear the siding off the house or blow out the radiators of vehicles you may be cleaning. S.
*Sam...My nickname over the years could definitely be changed to hardtopegjack...near the twist in the stream,htpjps-thanks for my days grin...
*My 5 hp Karcher is a dissapointment. The Briggs engine shook the heat shield off the muffler which resulted in a burned hose. The pump locked up after a couple years. Its hard to get fully primed sometimes, which causes annoying surges until all the air is out of the system. The wand is so-so - not good for really blasting something unless its right on the surface which then soaks me with backspray. I think it has too little power much of the time, and its a pain to get out for a small job. The electric unit might be a good idea. Look at Northern Equipment for a really good selection of power washers gas and electric.
*Keep in mind that any big pressure washer has an easily adjustable pressure control knob so you can adjust the output from a gentle spray to a siding eating blast !!
*I went to a Sams warehouse yesterday, and they had a 2,300 psi pressure washer with a Honda engine for $299.00. Didn't recognize the brand name of the washer unit, but it did have a Honda engine.There was also a HONDA pressure washer, with a Honda engine and a Cat pump (2500 psi) for $499.00.Might be worth a look see if you have a Sams Warehouse around your parts.James DuHamel
*Yes, there is a Sams Club nearby (same as Sams Warehouse??)-- would never have thought to look there..With the good reputation that Honda enjoys, an all-Honda setup is worth checking out. Thx for the tip, James.
*I ended up renting a 13 HP (w/ Honda GX390 engine) washer, 3500 psi, unknown GPM.Turned out it was barely adequate for cleaning off grime & rubber marks from my driveway. It didn't have chemical injection, some kind of detergent may have helped. A 5-6 HP washer would have been a "toy". Best results achieved with a 20 degree fan nozzle, held 6" away from concrete, overlapping strokes. A zero degree fan nozzle was visibly streaking or brightening the concrete, and the narrow stream made it impossible to overlap strokes for a uniform finish. I'll probably just rent when I need a washer like this -- the $1000 & up price is more than I want to spend on it.
*tom...driveways are a whole nuther ballgame, then home and auto cleaning...Spots need to be cleaned with concentrated cleaner and a brush...then their is the water broom that cleans in wide swaths and there is a rotory broom.Heres one example...a firm that sells driveway cleaning systems...http://www.easthamptonweb.com/creteclean/index.htmlnear the stream,aj
*Hmm... maybe I'll just hire a pro with the right specialized equipment next time.Funny how that often seems to be the best advice!
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I'm wanting to get a 5-ish horsepower washer, 2200-2600 psi, 2-3 gallon per minute, under $500. My usage would be intermittent, maybe once every week or two. The most readily available units near me seem to be Sears Craftsman (Briggs & Stratton engine), and Generac (with either Briggs-Stratton or Honda engines).
Any experiences with either brand?
Honda engines command a $50-100 premium over the Briggs -- is it REALLY worth it? If the Honda is quieter, the neighbors in my semi-urban setting will appreciate it. Reliability and low maintenance are very important as well -- last thing I want to do in my free time is mess around with small engines.