Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I'm looking to get a power washer in the 2400 to 2600 psi range.  Don't really want to spend more than $400 US.  What do you recommend?

I've had two electric ones from Home Depot and neither of them worked well.  I liked their portability and cost, but if they don't make the pressure, then it's a problem.

Thanks for your help.

 I haven't priced any or looked at ny latley as far as a specific brand. The main thing to consider is what you want to use it on. very high pressure can cause a lot of damage. There are to specs. PSI and GPM. The Pressure Square Inch  is the power to break up the dirt. The Gallons per minute is the amount of water to wash the dirt away after it has broken up. Like you I have a small Karcher 1500 psi electric with a gpm rating of 1.8 . I also have a gas 1500 psi washer with a gpm of  3.5. They both have 1500 psi BUT ...the gas one is over twice as fast and does a better job. About the smallest washer a pro would use would be a minimum of 4-5 gpm. Since you have the electric rent  one with a  3.5 + gpm rating and see th difference. For average homeowner use a 1500-2500 psi should be enough. Look at the GPM on the pump and get the highest yu can afford. The electrics are fine for small jobs car,small deck,chairs etc..They aren't designed for complete outside house washing or big cement driveways. I just about bet your pressure (PSI) on your electric is enough but with the low gpm rating it takes forever to clean some things.In short....get a much gpm as yu can afford.          

Hi...

Describe what you want to use it for... and how many hours per year of use... and expectations for durability...

Dave...

It probably would not get a great deal of use.  Probably do the deck and screen room every other year.  I could also use it to clean the screen room at my beach house.  That's why I considered the electric to be more transportable.  They're smaller and you're not transporting gasoline and it's odor.

I took my electric back right after I bought it because it could'nt get up to pressure.  So I don't have any right now.

Come to think of it, renting one every other year might be the way to go.  Of course it's not as much fun as getting a new OPE, but might be more practicle. 

Wheels,

They had some DeVilbis<sp> made Excel brand with little 5 HP Honda non-commercial engines at HD that looked OK. Around $375.

Sam's Club had some that were a different name, but looked similar.

Dave in CT, if I remember correctly, had some trouble dealing with Karcher. Maybe it was dealing with the place he bought it. I just remember Karcher and bad. Funny how that works.

I think Frank looked and looked and ended up with some fancy machine from HD, that was a return, for a good price.

There are some good places on the internet for research if you are looking for a good one. Stuff about commercial engines and ceramic pistons and stuff. I think you are looking at more than $400.00 though.

mrmom, or LL, or someone had the scoop on a particular model a Walmart, but I don't think it is available anymore.

If you want to see what the little 5HP Honda will do, stop by, I'll put you to work. They are a lot of fun.

Boy, Robmints has a great memory!
Yes, I had a Karcher that I bought from BJ's.....worked well for me, but I got real leery because of all the negitive reviews they were getting here and on epinions......
I ended up getting a "return" from HD that went for between $300-$400 dollars for something like $139, with a warranty, etc......it is an excell with a 5 hp honda engine, and it has worked great..very happy with it.
My buddy just bought a new (actually last years model) craftsman that he has not used yet, but says looks pretty in his garage.........I noticed that Craftsmans new line this year cheapened the tires....now all plastic, (but bigger).........(I like air in mine, thank you........).but I suppose that is not a big deal, and the plastic wheels ARE bigger......
I see that some of the karcher ones now have a susuki (?) engine on them, or something like that.....not hondas like mine was......

Basically, buy it where they back it. Period.

Frank D.

Hey Wheels, I  bought a El Cheapo from Wal-mart about 4 months ago for 200.00 It's got a 3.5 b&S 2000 psi I can't remeber the gpm on it though. I've washed 5 houses with it and cleaned a ton of other things and I have to say for $200.00 i'm happy with it. I mainly used it on lap sideing and block  and of course lawn furnture and my mowers.  THe only thing I have not used is the cleaner attachment  I  don't really like to run chemicals through it beacause I think it's hard on the seals and o- rings I always just mix up some cleaner in a pump sprayer.  just a little input later , Mike 

If you don't have a whole lot of area to preasure wash and you arn't going to preasure wash alot, I would recomend going with a 1,500PSI Electric model. Or if you need to be far away from a outlet, then a 1,500PSI Gas model.

If you do alot of preasure washing or need to do heavy preasure washing work, I would recomend a commercial 3,000PSI preasure washer.

If you have a industrial preasure washing buisness than you need a 6,000PSI preasure washer. These can be bought with heat accomodation aswell!

Somebody say Walmart? Here's one with interesting specs at a decent price: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3762967 .

Sorry but I still have to figure out how to post links properly.

I wanted to get an electric but heard a lot of bad things about Karcher. I wound up buying a Campbell Hausfeld electric at WalMart for $148 or so. It's worked well for the intended purposes and is quick to set up. It remains to be seen how it will hold up after several years.

I looked at some of the smaller gas engine models and there wasn't a lot  to choose from at the different big box outlets. They all had B&S or Honda GC Series motors and the usual wand.

Hi...

Sounds like an electric model fits your needs/wants...

I've seen Karcher electrics at rental places... so they might be good...

I have a gas Karcher that's ~8 years old... bad experiences with it... especially service/parts... but I would consider their electric ones...

Dave...

Out of the stated price range but I saw a new one today at HB - a Ryobi with a 7hp OHV Robin Subaru engine.

Dave in CT

I keep thinking an electric would be perfect also.  I could put it in the car with no gas fumes.  But I've had two electrics already.  Both were Husky brand from HD.  The first one worked fine for a few days of use last year.  Then it stopped working .  Took it back.  Just the other week I bought another Husky (1750 psi).  Set it up outside and it would not get up to pressure.  It would pass water, but not anywhere near the pressure it should.  Took it back also.

If anyone knows of a good brand of electric that makes pressure and lasts more than a few days, I would seriously consider it.  It would be one less thing I would have to worry about having stale gas in, and one thing less to keep track of oil changes for.

Those electricsmake such an obscene noise it will make you crazy.  Lots of good pressurre washers on the market for a decent price.  Look for a Honda engine and Devilbis pump.  Then look for pneumatic tires and a nice cart.  Go about 2,000-2,400 psi range for your needs, you can always turn it down, but ya cant get more out of a lesser unit.  I see nice units like that all the time at stores.  Try lookin at Northern Tool.   They have great sales all the time. 

Here ya go,   Wheels meet power washer, power washer meet Wheeels

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200241224&R=200241224

Wheels, I bought a Campbell Hausfeld electric at WalMart. Because of the limits of  110v, wall plugs and length of cord, it seems like 1500 psi and 1.6gpm is about the best you can do. I'm not sure it's going to last any longer than the others. I've used it about a dozen times and so far so good. Not exactly a long-term torture test.

I store it in the basement and have to use it on a second story deck so a gas unit wasn't an option. It's worked well so far.

I've got a Karcher 360m Model, 1400 PSI.

Had it about 5 years, use it about 5 to 6 times ( Approx 6 hours each use)  a year with no problems.

I store in in my basement during the winter!!