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Old 07-04-2009, 07:35 PM   #1
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Pressure washers??

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a pressure washer for my business (property and marine maintenance) and for cleaning my boat.
Anyone had an experience good or bad with a particular make or model, any recommendations?
I was thinking petrol, but the range over here is dreadful and expensive, i'd like to buy local if poss for support. I'll probably get an electric one and a generator.

Cheers, James
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Old 07-04-2009, 07:52 PM   #2
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I bought a steam cleaner off ebay. Fantastic tool, won't ever go back to a straight pressure washer again.
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Old 07-04-2009, 07:59 PM   #3
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James, Ive got this one (the HDS 550) and its fantastic..

http://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products...essure-Washers

Expensive but first class - we use it on the Rally Cars so its get a thorough work out..
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Old 07-04-2009, 08:05 PM   #4
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I got the checo hotshot dbx midi.
Does up to 120C!!!!
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Old 07-04-2009, 08:07 PM   #5
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Karcher 745 we've had for 2 years never let me down,
At work we use 801s again no probs.

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Old 07-04-2009, 08:09 PM   #6
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only problem I could see with getting a hotter one was melting/softening the plastic on the guards around the electrical components when we jet washed the engine. but Matt's one seems to be a good bet, Matt is it electric or diesel your one?
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Old 07-04-2009, 08:12 PM   #7
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Electric pump, 10.5kw diesel heat.
Not sure if they're still in production or not - http://www.oakwoodfuels.co.uk/
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Old 07-04-2009, 08:17 PM   #8
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Thanks for the great response already! I've gotta admit the ones suggested so far are all a bit big and expensive!
I wasn't really looking for a steam cleaner, just a cold water one. Does the steam really make a massive difference? main use will be patios etc and my boat.

Budget is ideally about £600 - £700. I know that's not much for an industrial washer, but i just haven't got masses of money to burn on this, it doesn't represent a massive part of my workload.

Another issue to consider, i need to lift this into and out of my truck on my own! The big ones are around 85kg!

Thanks, James
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Old 07-04-2009, 08:19 PM   #9
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Yeh, makes huge difference at cleaning.
Mine was 200 squid off ebay. Karchers and more well known brands were going for more - although mine seems to be a made of a mix of rs components & B&Q plumbing fittings, so spares should be OK.
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Old 07-04-2009, 08:25 PM   #10
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£200?! thats a good deal!
The other reason for getting one over here is that i could really do with it yesterday! I've had to bring forward some pressure washing jobs and need to get one asap!
Bloomin glad i asked on here now, best advice i've had all day!

James
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Old 07-04-2009, 09:51 PM   #11
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Yeh, it was a pretty good price.
Karchers always go for loads, as do Kew, even if they look shagged out, but the less well known brands can go for a lot less, and internally they seem to be quite simple & generic. Shipping will be your problem, they're damn heavy - mine weighs 92kgs, and pash's gotta be the same.
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Old 07-04-2009, 09:56 PM   #12
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Yeah, see 92kgs is just too heavy! I really need to be able to carry this around so i can get it to where i will be cleaning the boat. Not to mention karting it around customer's houses.
My other issue is that if i buy a less known brand from the uk, if it does break, i will most likely be in the middle of a job. Not being able to get it fixed straight away is going to be a big issue!

James
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Old 07-04-2009, 09:59 PM   #13
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I take your point - that's why I said they're generic parts inside (or at least, mine is). Really simple meccano style engineering (queue Jono to make a meccano comment... )

They do have wheels which is good, but mebbe just not what you need - only just fits in the back of my SWB landrover.
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Old 07-04-2009, 10:07 PM   #14
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The wheels are a good point, but i have to be able to lift it, so it's out

Really not sure what to get now!!

James
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Old 08-04-2009, 11:12 AM   #15
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pressure washer

hi i work on pressure washers all day long for a company who are karcher dealers sound to me like the pressure washer you need would be small petrol say Honda with a 5.5 hp engine which is powerful but not that heavy. for the type of work you want to do i would not bother with steam or electric pressure washers. you will also need a turbo nozzle for cleaning brick work concrete etc
what ever you buy make sure its a Honda with an interpump or karcher pump don't buy any for this import rubbish it will let you down and you cant get bit at all
hope this helps wicked
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Old 08-04-2009, 11:14 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pash 1 View Post
James, Ive got this one (the HDS 550) and its fantastic..

http://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products...essure-Washers

Expensive but first class - we use it on the Rally Cars so its get a thorough work out..

I too have had this Karcher 550 model since 1992 for Valeting. its cleaned thousands of cars, engines my grandads conservatorys, friends drives and my own boats and farm vehicles. Used every day for valeting and still going strong, I purchased it secondhand in 92 even thou its a 1983 model. so this shows its strength. the only thing i have had to replace about 3 times or clean out when scale gets stuck in them are the spring pressure valves that are. You just need to descale it now and then and keep the burner coil in good condition.

Mine still has the original parts on it apart from the plastic valve springs.

It gives excellent hot/cold low and hight pressure. Its like a old farm tractor, the looks are shabby but it does the job.
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Old 08-04-2009, 10:39 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt View Post
Yeh, it was a pretty good price.
Karchers always go for loads, as do Kew, even if they look shagged out, but the less well known brands can go for a lot less, and internally they seem to be quite simple & generic. Shipping will be your problem, they're damn heavy - mine weighs 92kgs, and pash's gotta be the same.
kew dont exist any more they have been taken over they're called nilfisk now
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Old 09-04-2009, 08:03 AM   #18
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Thanks for all the great advice guys!
I've ordered one now, can't remember the name off hand, i'll let you know this evening but it's a major name in industrial equipment. It's got a honda engine, has plenty of poke and i can just about lift it. It doesn't do hot, but i think i'll live without it.
Thanks again for the help, pretty sure i would've got the wrong thing if it wasn't for this advice!

Cheers, James
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