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Delta pressure washer at sams club
- Thread starter smcguirt
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Keep It Clean
New Member
What kind of pump,homeowner junk
the_GUNN_man
New Member
I would spend the extra $400 and get a 4 gpm, 3500 psi, 13 hp, belt drive unit. Definietly worth the extra $400. I would stay away from direct drive pumps.
oneness
New Member
the_GUNN_man said:
Direct drive units are fine for what they are. For a starter unit, they're fine. They may not have the longevity of a belt drive unit, but for a guy starting out, that extra $500.00 is better spent elsewhere. You can get a decent 4 gpm 3700psi unit at HD for $1000.00. That'll be fine for doing residential work, and will get you started.
Aplus
New Member
Then again I've got two direct drives, one 9 years, only replaced pump once, in 2003. Another is 5 years old, still going strong. I also have a direct drive I obtained this past summer in a package deal, and a belt drive I bought 8 years ago.
And my machines are used and beat alot! I can say these machines don't always have the most robust frames, as both of mine have been welded/repaired more than once.
Everybody beats the bandwagon about belt drive, and I'll admit they are good, but I can personally testify that direct drives will serve the purpose. Both mine have well over 2000 hours on them, so what do they really owe me? Honda engines are almost bullet-proof, and even if I had to change pumps twice, I'd be at the same price as a good belt drive.
Go with what you can afford to get started, and look at upgrades as the business grows. You may well find the direct drives suit your needs for both short and long term.
And my machines are used and beat alot! I can say these machines don't always have the most robust frames, as both of mine have been welded/repaired more than once.
Everybody beats the bandwagon about belt drive, and I'll admit they are good, but I can personally testify that direct drives will serve the purpose. Both mine have well over 2000 hours on them, so what do they really owe me? Honda engines are almost bullet-proof, and even if I had to change pumps twice, I'd be at the same price as a good belt drive.
Go with what you can afford to get started, and look at upgrades as the business grows. You may well find the direct drives suit your needs for both short and long term.
the_GUNN_man
New Member
My direct drive just couldn't handle being hooked to a water tank. Never seemed to work well. Just would vibrate so much because of it not getting enough water. I had a pw I bought from Sam's also. Now that I use water tanks it sits and I don't use it. One thing I noticed too, it seems that when you let a pump run dry the direct drive causes more damage faster. I have had my helper do that 3 times. Twice the pumps burned up. Both times were direct drive and the third one that didn't was a belt drive. Now all I use is belt drives except for one and that is a gear driven.
onecallpowerw
New Member
I hope you got rid of the helper
the_GUNN_man
New Member
It was mainly due to not opening the shutoffs on the water tank. Plus it was over the course of 4 years.
vandiesel99
New Member
I picked up a Coleman direct drive with a 13hp Robin Subaru at a very good price at the first of the year. I use it as a secondary/more portable machine and a extra rinse machine on large concrete jobs. But I remember someone saying something about the crankshaft being a weird size. The way I look at it, I can buy three of these for the same price of one belt drive.
the_GUNN_man
New Member
I can usually get a 13 hp belt drive for $1200. How much do you pay for the direct drives?
If you want 13 hp 3000 ish psi and 3.8 to 4.0 gpm cold water machine it is best to buy them preassembled. If you want anything bigger you are better off bulding it yourself. For $1600 brand new(less then $1000 if I get the engine used). I can make a 18hp 3000 psi 5.5 gpm cold water machine. Just need a motor, gearbox, pump, and unloader. Plus a few small odds and ends. Gearbox machines can be built in about an hour and a half. It seems like that 13hp, 3500 psi, and 4 gpm is the cutoff for value priced machines. Step up to a 18 hp, 3500 psi, and over 5 gpms they want $2,000 or more. It is a shame that to add 5hp and 1.5 gpm doubles the price.
I switched over all my machines so they use the exact same pump. No more having to have 5 different spare pumps. Now I just keep two spares.
If you want 13 hp 3000 ish psi and 3.8 to 4.0 gpm cold water machine it is best to buy them preassembled. If you want anything bigger you are better off bulding it yourself. For $1600 brand new(less then $1000 if I get the engine used). I can make a 18hp 3000 psi 5.5 gpm cold water machine. Just need a motor, gearbox, pump, and unloader. Plus a few small odds and ends. Gearbox machines can be built in about an hour and a half. It seems like that 13hp, 3500 psi, and 4 gpm is the cutoff for value priced machines. Step up to a 18 hp, 3500 psi, and over 5 gpms they want $2,000 or more. It is a shame that to add 5hp and 1.5 gpm doubles the price.
I switched over all my machines so they use the exact same pump. No more having to have 5 different spare pumps. Now I just keep two spares.
vandiesel99
New Member
A new Coleman is around 800-900, which is a little steep. I got mine for around $500 from a guy off ebay(local pickup). So technically I could get two for that. I figured around $1500 for a 13hp belt drive.
Some points
Hi All,
Was reading this post and wanted to share a few points. Belt drives pull water from tanks, lake, etc...better because they have lower RPM's. Think of it this way; if you stick your hand in a vat of pudding, and pull it out real fast, the pudding won't have time to fill in behind your hand, and a void will develop. If you pull your hand out slowly, then the pudding has time to fill in behind your hand, and you would countinue to be able to "draw". That's just what is happening with your water, and pump. A direct drives RPM's are much faster than a belt drive, having the same effect with your water supply.
I see your comparison of prices here, also. I can't get into the specifics of prices here, but can say most belt drives are ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. Yes, most "homeowner" machines are a little lower in cost, and quite often are direct drive, with Radial pumps. As stated here many times, 3000PSI, and 4 GPM machines are the excepted minimum for professionals, but even if you can use a lower rated machine, ask yourself this; "If it breaks down, who services it for me"? If you can do it yourself, great. If not, I know from contact with other distrubutors, that not many repair places want to deal with those kind of machines. We do, but the word from our customers is it is very tough to find someone willing to work on these machines. Hopefully you have someone in your area that does.
If you are going into this PROFESSION, then I think you need to spend a little more up front to have quality equipment. I know you sometimes have to crawl before you run, but in the long run, what does skimping on your equipment cost you later. (Answer;Time, money, quality....)Just a thought...
Last point; Before purchasing a machine, ask yourself what the primary use of the machine will be. That should dictate the specs. of the machine for you. If you are a window cleaner, adding PWing to your service, a direct drive may last you a long time. If cleaning parking decks daily, a direct drive may work, but longevity may be compramised. Will you make enough to cover a new machine,when the time comes, or does that machine NEED to last longer. Once you answer those questions for yourself, than your distributor can put you into the machine that fits your needs.
Sure hope this didn't sound preachy. Just wanted to add some points that seem to be pertinent to this topic.
Hi All,
Was reading this post and wanted to share a few points. Belt drives pull water from tanks, lake, etc...better because they have lower RPM's. Think of it this way; if you stick your hand in a vat of pudding, and pull it out real fast, the pudding won't have time to fill in behind your hand, and a void will develop. If you pull your hand out slowly, then the pudding has time to fill in behind your hand, and you would countinue to be able to "draw". That's just what is happening with your water, and pump. A direct drives RPM's are much faster than a belt drive, having the same effect with your water supply.
I see your comparison of prices here, also. I can't get into the specifics of prices here, but can say most belt drives are ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. Yes, most "homeowner" machines are a little lower in cost, and quite often are direct drive, with Radial pumps. As stated here many times, 3000PSI, and 4 GPM machines are the excepted minimum for professionals, but even if you can use a lower rated machine, ask yourself this; "If it breaks down, who services it for me"? If you can do it yourself, great. If not, I know from contact with other distrubutors, that not many repair places want to deal with those kind of machines. We do, but the word from our customers is it is very tough to find someone willing to work on these machines. Hopefully you have someone in your area that does.
If you are going into this PROFESSION, then I think you need to spend a little more up front to have quality equipment. I know you sometimes have to crawl before you run, but in the long run, what does skimping on your equipment cost you later. (Answer;Time, money, quality....)Just a thought...
Last point; Before purchasing a machine, ask yourself what the primary use of the machine will be. That should dictate the specs. of the machine for you. If you are a window cleaner, adding PWing to your service, a direct drive may last you a long time. If cleaning parking decks daily, a direct drive may work, but longevity may be compramised. Will you make enough to cover a new machine,when the time comes, or does that machine NEED to last longer. Once you answer those questions for yourself, than your distributor can put you into the machine that fits your needs.
Sure hope this didn't sound preachy. Just wanted to add some points that seem to be pertinent to this topic.
newbie pete
New Member
hey I dont know if Home Depot still has this sale but, I purchased a 13hp 4gpm direct drive there on clearance for $600 with a honda motor. Apparently theyre discontinuing the model and the winter clearance was 40% off! Check it out, they might still be on sale
If you want to be professional, buy professional equipment, use professional cleaners, use professional methods. Any unit from Home Cheapo, Lowes, or Sam's is NOT professional.
Just my 2 pennies