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

Hello all.  In my search for a pressure washer I came across this forum, which is obviously a great resource that I will use often in the future.

Anyway on to the point of my post.  I am down to two pressure washers and I was hoping that I could get some advice from you all:

1)  Excell 5hp Honda Engine 2600 PSI pressure washer available at Home Depot for $388.  http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?prod_id=165328&cm_mmc=1hd.com2froogle-_-product_feed-_-D24X-_-165328

2) Troy-Bilt 6.75 hp 2550 PSI Gas Pressure Washer available at Lowes for $349. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=188028-348-20240&lpage=none

Now I think both units are very good and would serve my purposes well (I need multi-purpose washer for concrete pool deck, large wood deck, brick and siding, driveway etc.).  The main difference between the units is that  the Excell has a Honda engine, while Troy has a Briggs and Stratton engine, and I have read that the Honda is a superior, quieter engine.  The Excell also is 2.5 GPM versus the Troy-Bilt's 2.3 GPM so the Excell has a somwhat higher cleaning unit rating.

The Troy-Built is a bit less money though -- actually a difference of $75 as I have a 10% off offer from Lowe's -- and it includes a "bonus $100.00 value power cleaning kit with turbo nozzle, scrub and rotating brushes and 112 page project guide."  It also appears that there are more/better attachments available for the Troy-Bilt.  Are the attachements really useful though?

So I am somewhat torn between the two.  I would appreciate whatever advice you all may have as to which is the better power washer or better value.  Thanks in advance.

Hi NYCGator! Welcome to the forum!

I used to own a Excell 13HP 3,000 PSI 4 gallon per minute. It had a Honda engine on it and it worked awsome. I never had a problem with it and yes it was quiet when ran at a lower
throttle setting. But if you went full throttle or close it was loud. I don't seem to have problems with Honda horizontal engines but their vertical engines suck!

You want my opinion? Go With The Excell With The Honda Engine On IT!

Terms, please share with me why this vertical shaft 5.5HP GX engine sucks.

Marshall...

I was talking about the Honda engines that there Harmony II lawn mowers have and are also built by Honda. They really suck man!. You pay over 1000 dollars to buy two of there mowers and one of them gets a broken choke, broken drive cable, and drive belt. The other one gets a crack in the tranny and the drive cable also starts going out on it. All this crap is happening in 1 year of use. Crap man, you think when you spend 550 for a Honda mower that its going to hold up for at least 10 years. Marshall, I am very upset with Honda quality and I would not give them the time of day! The Honda mowers I speak of are the 2003 models. Now yes I do realise its been a couple years since then, but do you really think Honda improved them in two years? I have been told Honda built better outdoor power equipment 6 to 10 years ago. Well, thats my review of two Honda Harmony II's.

I think the Ex-cell is a Devilbis <sp> along with Porter Cable.

I think the Troy-Bilt is a Briggs and Stratton. Who makes them for Briggs, or does Briggs make them? Don't know.

I bought a Devilbis sold under the brand name Delta at Sam's. I think around $260-$270. 2450 PSI 2.4GPM. It's only 2 years old, but it's a loaner. Meaning I loan it out. And it seems to be able to take it. It only came with the one adjustable nozzle. The turbo nozzles are nice for really tough stuff. The cost about $30-$40 just by themselves.

Did you look at Sears?

I own the Excell pressure washer with the Honda engine on it. Not quite a year yet, but reliable and no problems. It constantly makes its rounds in the neighborhood doing odd jobs. Also got the Bonus 50' hose and driveway tool.

Oh yeah, thanks Mountain Man,
The one I have has a Honda also. 5.5 HP. The Honda was a reason I bought it. I like Honda and all, but I don't know how much difference it would really make in the operation or longevity of the machine. Seeing the Honda logo made me pick it as the one I bought though. Shows how much sense I make.

Well just to confuse you
I have the Troy Built from Lowes and could not be happier. Briggs engine runs real strong and starts nice and easy (as long as you relieve the pressure in the pump). I also think the red paint was better on the Troy Builts...it didnt scratch as easy.

The Home Depot link shows a sprayer with the GC Series Honda engine, not the GX. So proclamations of the durability of GX series engines are moot. On GardenWeb others have complained that the lubrication-free pumps don't hold up well.

With the price difference and all, the B&S powered unit seems to be a much better deal.

One more thing...the wheels.

On the honda, they are air filled tires and probably bearings in there. They are better for sure but you pay for this...

On the Troy Built, they are plain big wheels. They woble a bit but work. I don't need to be able to go long distances pulling a pressure washer so I wasn't willing to spend the extra for the wheels.

Termy wrote: Oh, I didn't know they sucked. When did you own these?