Pressure Washers

Alright RUUD BOYZ, we need to start a thread on pressure washers. What does everyone currently have and how satisfied are you?

I am looking for an electric one that won't break the bank. I know some complain about the reliability issues on the Karchers, but if I were to buy it at say Wal-Mart then I can just buy the cheap extended warranties.

So, what does everyone have and how much do they like it?

I WANT ONE NOW!!!

:leghumper:

 

I'm finding there are a huge variety of pressure washers out there I finally found the one I want :thumb: but it's not cheap :acry2: but well worth it if you ask me.

I don't know I'm a firm beleaver that you get what you pay for but at the same time I think you can't really go wrong with the basic pressre washer the onlything is how long is it going to last you but if you get the extended waranty you should be fine but that's just my :2cents:

I'm really interested on hearing what others will say :joint:

 

Get it at costco...then you get a life time warrenty

 

Costco offers a life time warranty? Really I didn't know that :thinking:

 

dont know if "Kranzle" are available in U.S but if so get yourself one.. Built to last, the only pw you will ever need.. If budget suits get one that can produce hot water-better cleaning ability

 

i think they offer it on pretty much everything that they sell. You could always call and ask...I think my dad is there as we speak getting those tires on

 

Jayplay, I'm assuming you use a Kranzle is yours a hot water pressure washer? If so how do you like it?

 

Alright bro here's what I have: Troy Bilt 3000 psi 2.5 gpm gas pressure washer purchased from Lowe's about 2 years ago for $399, and Karcher 1850 psi 1.5 gpm electric pressure washer purchased from Lowe's about 3 days ago for $159.

The Troy Bilt Pro's: It is an awesome machine and I haven't met anything it can't handle. The Foam Cannon works extremely well with it, and I can use it for basically ANY job vehicle or otherwise that I may come across at home.

The Troy Bilt Cons: It uses gas. With the cost of fuel, although it doesn't use that much, it is a cost and occassionally a hassel. I was doing a car once and ran out of gas in the machine and had none in any of my cans, so I had to stop and run to the gas station in the middle of the detail and refill. It is LOUD. I have to wear earplugs when I use it and I'm sure the neighbors just love to hear me crank it up.:whistle: Also in between uses to cut down on the noise I have to cut it off so there is a lot of cranking in a detail. It also uses a good deal of water and for detailing I probably waste a good bit. It is also big and a bit cumbersome to be rolling around.

The Karcher Pros: It is QUIET. When I'm not using it the thing is silent and makes very minimal noise once I pull the trigger on the gun. I really really really really love this. It also uses less water so I'm not so wasteful. Also unless there's a power outage I will always have "fuel" for this thing. And regardless how much electricity I use I can justify it as "job security" :rollinglaugh:. It is easy to maneuver around and takes up a lot less space in the garage. The foam cannon also works well with this one.

The Karcher Cons: Ok although the foam cannon works well with it, to get the same amount of foam I have to turn the dial to maximum output. Not really an issue but thought I would mention it. It has nowhere near the rinse ability and power. In fact I have 3 different spray nozzles with the Troy Bilt and have to use the one labeled delicate with it. Well with the Karcher I had to step up one to Normal and it still doesn't have the velocity of the Troy Bilt and delicate nozzle. I expected this so no big surprise it just takes some getting used to when you have only used a 3000 psi machine before. I used this on Christmas Eve when I bought it on the Volvo. The Volvo wasn't that dirty so I'm not sure how it will do a really dirty vehicle, but honestly I don't think it will have a problem.

I can't really comment on reliability of the Karcher yet but we'll see. I really wanted an electric one from Northern Tool with a Cat pump but could not justify the more than 3 times greater price difference. Plus I had gotten some Lowe's gift cards for Christmas so I got the most powerful Karcher they had. I had seen Karcher's similiar to mine in a lot of reflection shots of cars posted on here and elsewhere so I figured I'd go with one of those. If I did not already have gas powered pw I would probably have bought this one as my first. So far I really like the Karcher and as soon as I make up an adapter with quick connects for the Karcher Nozzle gun I'll probably start using that for rinsing and see if I get a little more velocity with the Karcher gun and nozzel as opposed to my gun. And no I did not have to have adapters to use my foam cannon because when I bought mine from shadybreal I bought a new gun and hose to go with it. You only need the adapters if you want to use the Karcher gun with the foam cannon. The hose thread hook up is the same regardless of weather it's gas or electric. Hope this helps P1et.

 

yep Nica, use kranzle.... hot water??? no!!! As im mobile it would take up too much space in back of van if i wanted to use a hot water pw.. hot water pw tend to be a bit bigger than cold water pw.
photo of back of my van-


i could fit a hot water pw in but would be a bit tight and not leave much room to get in and out of storage boxes etc...van is bare here as this was taken when i had finished building it

my kranzle-small portable unit but delivers alot of power if needed.

 

I have a plain old Karcher electric. It works well enough for me for the small jobs that I use it on.

 

Wolfpacker92 - that's wicked info buddy thank you for sharing :applause:

Jayplay - oooh that looks good buddy...how about you start another thread and share some more pictures of your van, please :beg: :beg: :beg: :beg: :beg:

 

I have Karchers and like them because they are quiet, no exhaust, and cheap.

But I can see my Karcher going out soon, every once in a while it whimpers....

 

I have a cat 310. Its what most car washes use.

I have 2 of them on my drilling rig and they will get used on average 18-20 hrs a day. Every year and a half to two years they need a rebuild which is easy to do. With the amount of time they are used at work to the amount of time mine sees.....Im not gonna have to rebuild mine anytime soon :whistle:

 

i was going to suggest the same thing..i seen one of the members on the UK forum received one from his spouse as a gift..not cheap $$ but a nice looking PW..

 

Absolutely EXCELLENT post Wolf, thanks for taking the time to write that all down. What is the model on your Karcher? And did you get an extended warranty? The price is RIGHT, there is no arguing with that. And I have seen how much foam FMINUS gets on his details and I think he has a Karcher as well, probably the same model.

I do understand that you can get a nicer one for double or triple the money, but for me, it's more of a toy than anything else at this point...

 

I have an electric Karcher, has served me well for the $89 I paid for it (on sale)....

 

I went through 2 McCulloch brand electric PWs in 1 month from the home improvement center. 1st leaked internally after a couple of uses. The 2nd wouldn't pick up soap out of the tank. Just my kind of luck when I try to save a dime. These were the $200 units that looked similar to the big Karcher. Now, I am saving up for a Nilfisk-Alto 220v from a local distributor that can service it should I have a problem.

DLR

 

I have a karcher, electrical one. Have had it since may now, and workes great. Its not the cheapest one! Has been out all the time.

I like it!

 

Mine is the Karcher K3.68M 1800 psi. I didn't get the extended warranty but I have 30 days to do so. Haven't decided if I'm going to get it or not. It does foam really well. I agree with your last sentence completely.

 

ohhh, i have this gas powered one by crafts man and man i stopped using it after about 3 months cuz of gas and how loud it is...its great for cleaning wheel wells and concrete, but its sooo darn loud and the fumes kinda irritate me

...IM CURIOUS AS TO WHAT MODEL FMINUS HAS...hehe i love his FOAM pix..and i can see how it can be a TOY!

so karcher + foam canon...yup thats up next after i get the metabo!