kjacques21
New Member
I starting a pw biz and will be purchasing my forst washer next week. There are so many choices can anyone recommend a washer for a start up thats focusing on decks?
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buying first power washer help!
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kjacques21
New Member
this site is great
thanks for the feed back...there are some PW's at h.depot that seam to fit the bill as far as psi and gpm but not the pump drive...is that most crucial part, the thing thats fails most/?
thanks for the feed back...there are some PW's at h.depot that seam to fit the bill as far as psi and gpm but not the pump drive...is that most crucial part, the thing thats fails most/?
The pump drive is not always what fails, it is usually the pump. On a direct drive machine There is no drive, the motor hooks up DIRECTLY to the pump. The other types use belts/pulleys, or Gearboxes to turn the pump. The pumps used in these systems are designed to pump water while they turn at lower speeds. This lower speed makes them not work as hard as the direct drive does, They will last longer if taken care of. They do, however, have more components so there is more to maintain. The pump drive in belt and gear drive machines can fail. There is no drive system in direct drive units so I guess the "pump drive" in the direct drive system can never break since it doesn't exist.
I hope this confuses you even more
LOL
One other drawback to direct drive are the pump choices. You can find many different flow rate (gpm) and pressure (psi) for belt and gear drive pumps, direct drives are much more limited. For decks I would suggest a higher flow and lower pressure. There are not as many high flow direct drives available.
I have some direct drive machines and they are fine for most uses. As long as you have a good water supply and keep up with maintenance you should be ok with it.
If only we knew where you were from we might be able to help you find a good local equipment dealer.
I would recommend that someone with limited knowledge in how these machines operate get their machine from a good dealer other than a big chain store. From your questions, I believe you fit into this category. The dealer can help you out with repairs, maintenance and answer your questions. Home Depot can read the box to you (maybe).
later
I hope this confuses you even more
LOLOne other drawback to direct drive are the pump choices. You can find many different flow rate (gpm) and pressure (psi) for belt and gear drive pumps, direct drives are much more limited. For decks I would suggest a higher flow and lower pressure. There are not as many high flow direct drives available.
I have some direct drive machines and they are fine for most uses. As long as you have a good water supply and keep up with maintenance you should be ok with it.
If only we knew where you were from we might be able to help you find a good local equipment dealer.
I would recommend that someone with limited knowledge in how these machines operate get their machine from a good dealer other than a big chain store. From your questions, I believe you fit into this category. The dealer can help you out with repairs, maintenance and answer your questions. Home Depot can read the box to you (maybe).
later
Last edited:
Tim Lynch
New Member
I have a Landa 11hp Honda and a General ez3040 pump. It's going on 12 years old this year, The only thing I have done to it is change the oil regularly bought one air filter and 2 unloaders in that time frame.
I just had the pump redone oil seals and all ( the pistons were fine ) for 245.00 Hertz Rental here is huge and has good techs so they did it for me.
It's a direct drive and being 11 years going on 12 folks say it's in great shape. It looks nothing like what I see now adays for sale it really built tough. I use it year round 4 to 5 days a week doing decks and flat work when I can find it.
Your question also points to a PW being Deck focused. A few tips get three wands a spray flex tm bendable lance for railings. 4 plus gpm a must one extra 50 foot hose 1x as 2x's are to heavy and not needed for deck work. An easy pull trigger gun and watch you angles get one that is not tipped up it will hurt your arms after a while.
Next is Chemicals how to use them and set yourself up with a shurflo pump, more if on that in the wood section and equipment area. Wish I knew about the shurflo years ago
..... What a dream tool.I'll post a pic of my machine later on for history
kjacques21
New Member
thankyou and Hilton HEAD market size
Thanks so much for the info, I am on Hilton Head Island SC, just moved here and this is the business i have settled on starting...HH is basically a drainbed swamp so lots of mold and ,ots of stuff falling from trees year round. There about 20 power washers listed in the yellow pages, some sam to be larger co. and many like my own....Hilton head area has 45,000 year round residents and has a visitor base of 2,500,00 a year...that means lots of vacation and rental villas and hotels...what is your market like and how much competition so you have?
thanks again
Ken
(I hope y'all do not get sick of me, I ask a lot of question especially when i can get it from the experts!)
Thanks so much for the info, I am on Hilton Head Island SC, just moved here and this is the business i have settled on starting...HH is basically a drainbed swamp so lots of mold and ,ots of stuff falling from trees year round. There about 20 power washers listed in the yellow pages, some sam to be larger co. and many like my own....Hilton head area has 45,000 year round residents and has a visitor base of 2,500,00 a year...that means lots of vacation and rental villas and hotels...what is your market like and how much competition so you have?
thanks again
Ken
(I hope y'all do not get sick of me, I ask a lot of question especially when i can get it from the experts!)
Mark
Moderator / Sponsor
Larry L.
PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
You said you where going to make this your trade,if so go ahead and get the 16hp,5gpm at 3000psi,you can ajust the psi by changing spray tips.In alot of cases you will have flatwork around the decks and the extra psi will make it alot easier and with the 5 gpm it will go faster.You will be competing againest other contractors useing 5 gpm,speed is where alot of us get our price.They can complete the job faster and have the extra psi to sweep the flatwork off.The extra gpm and psi is worth spending a little more,you want be sorry,,,,good luck.
allbritepw
New Member
Ken
Just a thought. We just PW part time for about 5yrs now.We use a 5.5gpm 3500psi H/W unit inside a 6x12 enclosed tandum axle trailer with a 300gal water tank. Our setup works great. Except!
If I were to do it over I would spend the extra money and get a 8 or 10gpm unit setup for either 1 or 2 guns. If you ever get to the point of hiring a helper 2 guns are much faster than 1.
Or setup a H/W unit and a C/W unit from the same trailer. Then you have a built in back up unit if one quits. Just a thought Tim
Just a thought. We just PW part time for about 5yrs now.We use a 5.5gpm 3500psi H/W unit inside a 6x12 enclosed tandum axle trailer with a 300gal water tank. Our setup works great. Except!
If I were to do it over I would spend the extra money and get a 8 or 10gpm unit setup for either 1 or 2 guns. If you ever get to the point of hiring a helper 2 guns are much faster than 1.
Or setup a H/W unit and a C/W unit from the same trailer. Then you have a built in back up unit if one quits. Just a thought Tim
kjacques21
New Member
Thanks Tim...lots of great advice out here I hope people dont tire of my endless questions, i'm just a believer in asking the experts instead of blindly moving forward and inventing nthe wheel....
Is a self contained tank system neccesary? some are reccomending a trailer set up with pout water supply while others suggest a tank...in Hilton Head (an island) there is access to water most everywhere...How much will a tank cost me...I do like the idea...can I add a tank later? How big must my trailer be and how much does tnhat cost? i was thinking about checking out used rental trailers is that a bad idea?
thanks for your help, this is really exciting stuff
Ken
Is a self contained tank system neccesary? some are reccomending a trailer set up with pout water supply while others suggest a tank...in Hilton Head (an island) there is access to water most everywhere...How much will a tank cost me...I do like the idea...can I add a tank later? How big must my trailer be and how much does tnhat cost? i was thinking about checking out used rental trailers is that a bad idea?
thanks for your help, this is really exciting stuff
Ken
Larry L.
PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
Yes,you can add a supply tank later,I think they are better to have b/c you said "Most" places have water.
A 550 gal tank here cost around 240.
A trailer around here cost 695 for a 8x16.
My cost and your cost will be different from area to area.
Pressure Washing Institute board has a forum for trailers,do a search and check it out.
A 550 gal tank here cost around 240.
A trailer around here cost 695 for a 8x16.
My cost and your cost will be different from area to area.
Pressure Washing Institute board has a forum for trailers,do a search and check it out.
As far as a p/wer on a trailer YOU MUST COVER IT ! ... I have the one pictured up above (first one) I use it as a back up and to do decks . I have it in the back of my pick up . I took the whells and handel off and the leg . and mounted it in the bed with angle iron when I want it moved I just pick it up and carry it where ever . and then when I want it back I sit it back in the frame (angle) ...
anyways I have been using my other p/wer and it just sat there for weeks without it being started.. WHAT A NIGHTMARE . I pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled some more untill the freaken rope broke....... tore it apart and tied the rope together .. and finally after the 1000000000 time pulling it finally started.......... I blame it on letting it exposed to
the weather...... If you are going to put it in a pick-up or on a back of a trailer .take my advice and cover it ........
And dont buy one from wal-mart or home depot .. you want to look good ... buy one that is a proffesional model any body can go to home-depot and buy a cheapy and wash their house ..... you want one that will last . I will never buy another pull start machine .... I guess you can say Im spoiled..... I love the elec. start .........and the remote control (other machine) ..... You just cant beat it ..........................>
anyways I have been using my other p/wer and it just sat there for weeks without it being started.. WHAT A NIGHTMARE . I pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled some more untill the freaken rope broke....... tore it apart and tied the rope together .. and finally after the 1000000000 time pulling it finally started.......... I blame it on letting it exposed to
the weather...... If you are going to put it in a pick-up or on a back of a trailer .take my advice and cover it ........
And dont buy one from wal-mart or home depot .. you want to look good ... buy one that is a proffesional model any body can go to home-depot and buy a cheapy and wash their house ..... you want one that will last . I will never buy another pull start machine .... I guess you can say Im spoiled..... I love the elec. start .........and the remote control (other machine) ..... You just cant beat it ..........................>
kjacques21
New Member
As I live in a condo (over looking the water!, I am a newenglander who quit corp. amrica and moved south) I plan on renting a storage room for my trailer. Would you care to reccomend a vendor to buy equipment from? You have the Honda pictured above? Whats GPM? Did you buy yours locally or through the internet. mark at easy clean has been especially helpfull.
allbritepw
New Member
Ken
We have a 6x12 enclosed trailer with a vent out the top for the burner, ladder racks on top and double doors on back and a 36in side door , 2 vents, 2 hose reels, racks for guns,a 20gal chem tank for soap with a sure flo pump . throw the switch and you can fill your bucket. All kinds of storage. I spent 1 winter just laying it out. The nice thing is that everything is inside and can be locked up. It looks clean and very professional.
We had a larger enclosed trailer but it was too bulky. The 6x12 seems to work best for us. Just wish I had bought 2 small h/w units instead of the 5.5gal skid . Too bulky. You asked about the tank. We are going out on a House wash job tomarrow and the guy wants us to bring our own water. He says his is too hard.
So that is why we got the job. Quick response and we can haul our own water. Well Ken if you still have any questions about setting up a trailer let me know I will tell what works for us. Tim
We have a 6x12 enclosed trailer with a vent out the top for the burner, ladder racks on top and double doors on back and a 36in side door , 2 vents, 2 hose reels, racks for guns,a 20gal chem tank for soap with a sure flo pump . throw the switch and you can fill your bucket. All kinds of storage. I spent 1 winter just laying it out. The nice thing is that everything is inside and can be locked up. It looks clean and very professional.
We had a larger enclosed trailer but it was too bulky. The 6x12 seems to work best for us. Just wish I had bought 2 small h/w units instead of the 5.5gal skid . Too bulky. You asked about the tank. We are going out on a House wash job tomarrow and the guy wants us to bring our own water. He says his is too hard.
So that is why we got the job. Quick response and we can haul our own water. Well Ken if you still have any questions about setting up a trailer let me know I will tell what works for us. Tim
kjacques21
New Member
stuff and a ? about trailers
Good advice thanks! I bought the 2nd one pictured....Mostly because of expense...lots of start up costs..I know its penny wise pound foolish but what can you do? after i get some positive cash flow I want to add a 2nd machine. Electric start does sound nice. Incendentally have you been to Home Depot lately I went today and they appear to have a pretty nice 3600 PSI 4gpm 13HP Honda unit for 999...the pump is not belt friven though...I also looked at trailers today, I found a guy that custumer builds to your specs. any one have a good trailer design? I want mine open ended (it will be sheltered every evenning) My PW is shipping 7/8 and this week I get insurance and put together marketing plans...very exciting .
Thanks again people
Ken
Deck Doctor's and Powerwashing 2
Good advice thanks! I bought the 2nd one pictured....Mostly because of expense...lots of start up costs..I know its penny wise pound foolish but what can you do? after i get some positive cash flow I want to add a 2nd machine. Electric start does sound nice. Incendentally have you been to Home Depot lately I went today and they appear to have a pretty nice 3600 PSI 4gpm 13HP Honda unit for 999...the pump is not belt friven though...I also looked at trailers today, I found a guy that custumer builds to your specs. any one have a good trailer design? I want mine open ended (it will be sheltered every evenning) My PW is shipping 7/8 and this week I get insurance and put together marketing plans...very exciting .
Thanks again people
Ken
Deck Doctor's and Powerwashing 2
There are alot of ways to set your trailer up, Do a search on this board and others to find out more. Sometimes its easier to do this first rather than asking alot of questions. Usually someone has asked the same questoion before and you can read the responses to their questions. Alot of times people won't answer something that is asked over and over. Try to find the answer first, then ask if you can't find the information you are looking for. Most of the time guys will give you the answers, but if you search you can find alot more.
You may want to look in the Photo sections of the boards for good pics of trailer and equipment setups. You can get some good ideas from the guys that have tried different set ups and made mistakes before you. You can also post yours when you get it going.
Good Luck with your new machine and new business!
You may want to look in the Photo sections of the boards for good pics of trailer and equipment setups. You can get some good ideas from the guys that have tried different set ups and made mistakes before you. You can also post yours when you get it going.
Good Luck with your new machine and new business!