press washers... Craftsman, Husky or Northerntool

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southernjeeper

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I have found a great selection to get a lot of work done this summer. I am in between jobs that pay with benefits and so I thought this would be a good idea to wash driveways and such.

I have found the Husky brand with an honda engine for 399 both of them at Home Depot. Both are around 2600 and 3000psi. One is a push behind 15" deck that has two nozzles at 1500psi that do a better job. Then there is the skeeter that is 3000psi, which i would purchase the deck separately.

Then there is this one at northern tool.
This one i think is the best deal and helluva powerful and long-lasting for years and summers to come.

professional grade
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350617_200350617

the other one that is the performance grade
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350620_200350620

Then there is the craftsman series...
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_07175258000P?vName=Lawn+%26+Garden&cName=Yard+Power+%26+Equipment&sName=Pressure+Washers

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_07175259000P?vName=Lawn+%26+Garden&cName=Yard+Power+%26+Equipment&sName=Pressure+Washers


then lastly
home depot
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoo...catalogId=10053

or
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoo...catalogId=10053


I like the husky versions and the Northern Tool pressure washer but I need a 3rd opinion. Already asked someone else.

thanks
 
I'd strongly recomend either unit from Norther Tool. I just bought the bigger version(3.5 gpm @4000 psi) for work. I spent a lot of time looking before I bought it since it needs to work well and last. If you plan on using it a lot, get the one with the Cat pump. The life expectancy is almost double that of the lower grades. Also, another benefit of getting it from them is you will be able to get parts. Mine came with a complete breakdown of the pump with all the part numbers. One more thing to consider, if you can afford a larger one, it might be well worth the extra $. I use mine for cleaning dumpster areas, drive thru pads and sidewalks. The extra pressure and volume make the job go so much faster. I rented units when the last one died and there is a huge difference from 2500-3000 and unit that is 3500-4000 psi.
 
cool ... I might get the cheaper one from northern tool that has the comet pump. Then when it fails I'll fork over 299 to get the cat pump that will make it 2750 http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200305960_200305960

to simply change out the pump... Not a bad deal.


thanks for your feedback.. I am going to be ordering one soon. AND bigger and powerful is better. If I do go with the one with the CAT pump... I'll have it paid for by the time I pressure wash about 10driveways.
 
With Pressure washing, especially in humid Southern US, I would go more towards GPM, and a good engine. Forget the Husky with the built in surface cleaner (it is junk). I would go with one from a pressure washer dealer like All Pressure Washers They will assess your needs, and come up with a quality rig for a fair price. Sunbrite supply has some good package deals (rig, surface cleaner, chems, etc.) If you can't afford a surface cleaner, opt for a good turbo nozzle and at least 100 feet of HP hose. Look for a General or CAT plunger pump. 4-5 gpm at 2500 psi will clean more faster than 2.5 gpm at 3500 psi. especially if you are doing rinsing.

Sign up at the Grime Scene BBS. Very knowlegeable people their to help with startup and questions.

If you want a rig to just clean your house, get a Home Depot model, If you want to make money using a good rig, go with a professional model.


dave
 
I purchased the Northstar 390cc Honda powered professional model with a big Cat pump. It replaced my Briggs powered, GP pump junker.

I was always struggling with repairs and issues on my old mid grade pressure washer. It lasted for years, but rarely worked 100%. It had the "good" Briggs engine with iron sleve and a brass GP pump. Still, the thing surged, was hard to start, and had relief valve failures it's entire life. I got so annoyed one day while cleaning the roof, as it was acting up again. I got little work done, messing with the pump all day. I gave it away. It still runs and functions. But, the engine still surges, won't pressurize on each trigger pull and is noisy.

Come to find out, the big Northstar unit is more efficient on gas by at least 100%, when measured by area cleaned. That's a big deal when cleaning roofs. Less going down to re-fill.

Bottom line, I should have purchased a Honda powered/Cat pump PW the first time.
 
Oh, and what ever you do, get a CAT pump. Don't bother with the Chinese "copy" pumps that are sold by many vendors. They look the same and are often "sold" as professional grade. DON'T DO IT. Know what pump you are buying.
 
I'm in the market to get a PW too, so looks like the NT Pro one is the one to get...
 
Southerjeeper, just make sure when you compare models, that they are the same, the one you looked at from allpressuerwasher only has a 30' hose and a residential style gun(high/low) not the type that has interchangeable tips(the ones from Northern have a 50' hose and 5 tips). I used the residential style once and wasn't impressed. With the changeable tips, you have way more control. If you do get something with a Cat pump, make sure you get their pump oil to use in it, it's spendy-$7 for 20oz. but they pumps don't hold much, I want to say mine holds maybe 16 oz. Good luck with your new toy!
 
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