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

Hi all!!  New member here and hoping for some help.  I am looking at 2 new craftsman power washers.  One is th 7.0hp 2900 psi with B&S engine and OHV engine.  For $50 bucks less is a 6.5 hp 2550 PSI with a regulat engine(no OHV).  I am looking really to celan my deck(rarely) and more for pool area, large stamped conrete patio, dribeway, siding,etc.  I relly like the OHV engine, but the guy at sears tells me that 2900 psi is too high for my uses and I will ruin the items I  hoping to clean.  He is suggesting the 6.5 2550 psi.....is there really that much difference??  I need help ASAP.  Thank you in advance.   

For your uses you don't need know more than 2100 PSI. Please scale down to a smaller model such as a 5HP 2100PSI or a 4HP 1600 PSI

OKay....I really like the design and features of the 7.0 OHV.  IF i get it do you think it will make me ruin my stuff.  Isn't there a way to dial the pressure down??

Presure washers that big usually come with a different nozzles to put on the end of the gun to change the presure. Also some of these large presure washers come with a regulator on the pump to regulate the presure. A OHV is nice I agree, but if it does not have different nozzles or a presure regulator, I would rather buy something else if it meant saving something from destruction.

okay...thanks.  Yes...it does have different tips to put on it.  It looks like they suggest 40% tip for normal use.  Think I should go with the one I really like.  Is it like most other things...better to have too much than too little??,

Kinda looks like the Troy-Built washer. 

If money is not an issue I would most certainly buy the 2900 PSI with the OHV engine. I have a Sears that's only 2250 with a 6 HP InteK engine and I wish I had more PSI, the higher the pressure the faster the job goes.  The Intek engine runs quite quiet and the neighbors will appreciate it. You can regulate the pressure by adjusting the pump, or on my wand , you can weaken the pressure by rotating the head. Just use common sense, don't get too close to the surface with the wand head and practice in an area that if you screw up won't be too obvious. Once you get the hang of it you'll wish you had more PSI to make the job go faster.

Is that like Mdforbush?

Home Depot has some real nice Honda GX Excell stuff right now. Real good selection for some reason. Power washers are great, you need to use some common sense. The free turbo nozzle from Sears is a nice freebie. 75241?

For $400-$500 machines I would look around a bit before I jumped though. While looking, look a lot closer at the pump than the engine. IMO.

Of the things you are considering cleaning, just about any gasoline powered machine you will find could do some damage. You need to use care. They are not toys. They can hurt you. Break glass, shread vinyl siding, tear up wood, in general you need to becareful. That said, power washing is relaxing and satisfying, a lot of fun, and can really do good job where nothing else will.

I have the Troy Built and am quite happy with it. I went to sears first and then I went to Lowes...the Troy Built is the SAME as what sears is selling (Sears is blank and Troy built is red) only Lowes charges less for it.

Mine is 2200PSI and is plenty for around the house work. And it is so fun to use, I don't need the job to go any faster! LOL!!!

Check this out...
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&catalogId=M040080

What I like about the higher-end units is that you are probably getting a better pump as well.  Should last longer.

You do have to be careful with the power though.  I rented a commercial unit to clean our big redwood playset and with the wrong nozzle, it could easily cut deep into the wood.

LL

Don't forget its not only the pressure but the flow that is also important. Cleaning units (CU) is the flow rate x pressure. The higher the better I assume. Because 110V electrics are limited to a max. amp draw I've seen ones where the pressure goes higher, but the flow rate drops.

With a 7 HP engine I would guess the flow rate is quite good on it.

I bought mine last year and although it is only 2200 Psi, the 2.9 GPM works nicely to give a CU of 6380. Didn't think I'd have a lot of uses for it but after I got started, I cleaned the deck, the siding, the driveway and walk, cleaned out the street gutter into the storm drain, and did the trailer. Turned out to be a useful tool after all.

 I bought a Sears last year with the 2550 PSI, 6.75 HP  with the two containers for washing chemicals and it does any job just great. All you have to do is use the right nozzle for the right job. I'm not a big Sears advocate, but for washing greasy engines its great.