Pressure washer advice needed

[wrdabney]

I'm looking to put together a trailer mounted pressure washing rig to do some side work and to use around the house and farm. I have alot of the pieces of the puzzle already but I'm looking for a commercial grade pressure washer that can run off of an 8,000 watt generator. Or, I have plumbing knowledge so maybe I could build something. The reason I want to do it this way is because I already have the generator and would prefer to not buy a whole rig with an engine included to save money. Any ideas or suggestions?

[MudHog]

Water and electricity don't mix.

I would keep the pressure washer separate. Your talking to much extra weight to haul around an 8kw generator just for a pressure washer.

This is one I found quickly just to see if they even make electric pressure washers of that size. I have not found an 8k psi one and only found up to a 4k psi. This 4k psi HOT water draw 34 amps at 240 volts. 8000 watts divided by 240 volts is 33.33 amps. You would be at the max of an 8kw generator all the time with this. The heater is not electric either, it's a diesel fired burner. So the electricity is only for the whopping 10hp electric motor.

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Ca ... p1764.html




What kind of generator? You could sell it and put that towards an engine driven pressure washer.

[wrdabney]

You make good points. That's way more than im wanting to spend too. Any ideas on a reasonably priced commercial grade washer with an engine? I can't sell the generator. I've got other needs for it.

[MudHog]

you can piece it together very easily.

This 5000 psi trailer mounted unit uses a 20HP Honda engine. The most expensive item, I think, will be the pump itself. After those two are found, a tank and hoses are easy to find. You can use any kind of trailer that is available.

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Sh ... p4480.html

Remember that water is roughly 8.3 lbs per gallon. This will make a difference in axle sizing.


I've dealt mostly with 3500 psi systems that would knock the paint off, is there a specific reason your thinking 8000 psi?

[wrdabney]

I wasn't wanting an 8,000 psi unit. I just said I have an 8,000 watt generator. I have a trailer, tanks, some hose. I really just need a washer and engine. 3,500 psi would probably be plenty for me. Any good units you would recommend?

[MudHog]

I misread your post.


You can find used engine driven washers on craigslist all day every day for around $200 to $300 bucks. The pumps are pretty durable, unless they have been operated dry. Honda GC engines are fairly common on pressure washer units.

Brand new 3500 unit with Yamaha power for $825: http://gulfport.craigslist.org/tls/2525690779.html

Trailer mounted setup for $1950: http://hattiesburg.craigslist.org/tls/2453405631.html

[redduck]

PSI is not as important as GPM. If you use 2000 psi and 2.5 GPM will not nearly do as much work as 2000 PSI and 3.5 GPM. Within reason the more GPM you use the more work you can do. Trust me on this 5 GPM and 3000 PSI is more than you want. At that rate you can wash brick away. Also almost cut concrete.

[MudHog]

2600 psi Honda unit for $295

http://batonrouge.craigslist.org/tls/2492593368.html



I would say this style setup you'd expect to pay around $200 to $300. Any less and I would be worried about what kind of shape it is in.


but


You could buy a brand new 4000 psi 3.5 GPM unit for $399

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... Aggregates

Requires an 11hp HZ shaft engine, but that is fairly simple to locate.

[wrdabney]

Thanks for the info guys. All of the units yall are posting from craigslist look like the wheel around home kind. Except for the trailer mounted one. Is that all I would need, just take it off and mount it on the trailer. Are they sufficient for commercial washing. I guess what I really want is a unit that will be good enough for commercial use that I can mount on a trailer. What psi and gpm should I look for that would be plenty for commercial jobs?

[MudHog]

It really depends on what your washing or planning to wash. Your out washing driveways or parking lots or houses, any of the home units mounted onto a trailer could be "commercial". If your out trying to wash excavators, dozers, tractors, etc. then you would need something much heftier. Not only in equipment, but water supply.


The term "commercial" used to once mean something. But these days, it doesn't take something "commercial" to be used effectively in a commercial application. Commercial generally means used all day everyday. I have a cousin who owns a lawn service and they are using a residential model Hustler zero turn more for commercial use. They bought it knowing they wouldn't have warranty because they are using a residential mower in a commerical application, but they have not had any problems with the mower since they bought it. They've also bought a 2nd one since then.

[donia]

a heater is almost a necessity, especially where people don't want a heavy chemical used to move the grime in sensitive areas (schools, hospitals, recreation areas, etc). cuts time in half with a good detergent soap.