I'm actually in the same boat. Looking for something to clean around the house. I would like to get something with a Honda motor.

 

I love Honda motors, but for a pressure washer pat particular attention to the pump brand. I like CAT pumps. I've had a 3,300 PSI Ridgid with a CAT pump that is going strong after 8+ years of use by myself and all of our friends.

 

@kur1j agreed. The Ryobi 2,900 PSI doesn't have a Honda but the 3,000 PSI does. But it also comes at a $50 difference.

 

@marshtj Is there different types of pumps? At least at a consumer level.

I was looking at the Simpson. Would love to get the GX Honda motor version but it's 150$ more.

Simpson Cleaning MSH3125-S 3200 PSI at 2.5 GPM Gas Pressure Washer Powered by HONDA with OEM Technologies Axial Cam Pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MXKUCY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4EaiBbV9TQB61

 

If I was looking at a new pressure washer I'd probably try and grab one from Harbor Freight on sale. The Predator engines are Honda clones and seem to get positive feedback everywhere. I was thinking about piecing together a washer with the Predator engine but couldn't do it for much less than the turnkey unit.

 

@marshtj Is there different types of pumps? At least at a consumer level.

I was looking at the Simpson. Would love to get the GX Honda motor version but it's 150$ more.

Simpson Cleaning MSH3125-S 3200 PSI at 2.5 GPM Gas Pressure Washer Powered by HONDA with OEM Technologies Axial Cam Pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MXKUCY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4EaiBbV9TQB61

Yes there are. This article may be of use to you: https://pressurewashr.com/pressure-washer-pumps/

I just pulled the trigger on a pressure washer last weekend. I went with the DeWalt badged Simpson that HD sells. It was on sale, and I couldn't find the equivalent Simpson model locally. Also, Consumer Reports has it listed as their highest rated model - whatever that's worth.

When looking for a pressure washer I recommend you get one with a Honda motor and Triplex pump. I think the most important thing about pressure washers is reading the manual and storing it properly. After reading the manual to my new one this weekend I realized I haven't stored pressure washers properly in the past.

 

With washers, the engine brand doesn't really matter. Especially on homeowner grade, sub-$500 machines. Almost any engine is guaranteed to outlive the pump, and the replacement pump is likely to meet or exceed the original purchase cost. You will get what you pay for, that said, there are some pretty nice machines for home-owner duty at the $400 price point.

 

@MasterMech do you have any thoughts on what pumps to look for? Any recommendations at the price point you listed?

 

@cnet24 Just curious, does it have to be gas?

 

@cnet24 Just curious, does it have to be gas?

I'm going back and forth on this. I like the range of gas as I have a decent sized lot and don't want to be dealing with long extension cords, etc. With the electric, you are essentially dealing with a hose, electric cord, and gun hose. I just forsee many issues dealing with that. However, storage of gas is a concern since it won't be used as frequently as my mower, for example. I'm also wondering, is the 3000 PSI model too much for general use?

 

I have the Greenworks electric power washer. It's currently on sale for $79. It has done an excellent job thus far on siding, wood deck, and cement block.

I had the same concerns regarding hose, cord, and pressure washer gun hose. However, the gun hose is long as well as the electric cord so you end up with quite a bit of play without ever having to move the water hose.

It's small so it stores nicely as well. You can always return it if it doesn't meet your needs and if it does you only spent $79!

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Greenworks-1600-PSI-1-2-Gallon-GPM-Cold-Water-Electric-Pressure-Washer/50353388

 

I ended up with the electric start Ryobi with a Subaru engine and love it. I use it 1-2x per week to wash cars, sidewalks, house, ect. Starts extremely easy, wide can start it with no issues. Pull the choke, turn the gas on, push the button and it starts.

 

@MasterMech do you have any thoughts on what pumps to look for? Any recommendations at the price point you listed?

Pressure washers are pretty simple machines really. There are no real design tricks or advantages, only compromises. My advice for homeowners looking at pressure washers is to start with the task. If this machine will be only be used to clean the patio furniture, a wood fence once a year and other small jobs, then even the small electric ones do a fine job, and I'd prob stay electric vs gas in that case too. Consider hiring out the annual driveway/sidewalk/house cleaning as those jobs take forever and a day with a small washer.

If you are the DIY type and really enjoy playing with your toys, then you have some more options for sure. I can't stress this enough, money buys performance. I really don't see value in "extras" like on-board detergent tanks, electric start, chrome wheels, etc. I want a good engine, (preferably horizontal crankshaft) and an even better pump.

You can overcome a couple hundred psi difference with proper nozzle/accessory selection, flow is what matters the most. In short, I'd take a 2500 psi 3.0 gpm unit over 3000 psi 2.5 gpm every time. That's a general rule of thumb of course, because until they start publishing the flow curve for the pumps, you don't really know how one pump would compare to another for any given application.

I'll pay for long-life flexible hoses, and a quality spray gun. Nozzles and other accessories are easily obtained so I don't pay much attention to that for the initial purchase.

You CAN buy powerful electric units. They aren't cheap, which just reinforces that the price indicates and emphasizes the quality of the pump, more than the engine. You also are limited by how much power you can draw from a 120v/20a wall receptical via a long extension cord. 10AWG 100' extension cords cost more than a gas engine these days. :shock: But HD electric units are awesome to use and do run somewhat quieter than equivalent gas units.

I know this question is coming, I have a John Deere branded unit. Cold water only, 3000psi/3.0 gpm. Top-shelf AR pump, had a 7 year warranty on the pump. 9 HP Subaru EX premium engine. It does everything I need and does it fairly quick. Sometimes a little more flow would be handy to get things like my driveway done quicker. Mi-T-M is the OEM for my unit, they make fantastic pressure washers for everything from residential through commercial/municipal (read: sewer!) applications. I do enjoy window shopping on sites like Pressure Washers Direct just to see what's out there and the current price points. But I'm not likely to actually need another pressure washer - ever. So I live vicariously through all y'all. :bandit:

 

@MasterMech do you have any thoughts on what pumps to look for? Any recommendations at the price point you listed?

Pressure washers are pretty simple machines really. There are no real design tricks or advantages, only compromises. My advice for homeowners looking at pressure washers is to start with the task. If this machine will be only be used to clean the patio furniture, a wood fence once a year and other small jobs, then even the small electric ones do a fine job, and I'd prob stay electric vs gas in that case too. Consider hiring out the annual driveway/sidewalk/house cleaning as those jobs take forever and a day with a small washer.

If you are the DIY type and really enjoy playing with your toys, then you have some more options for sure. I can't stress this enough, money buys performance. I really don't see value in "extras" like on-board detergent tanks, electric start, chrome wheels, etc. I want a good engine, (preferably horizontal crankshaft) and an even better pump.

You can overcome a couple hundred psi difference with proper nozzle/accessory selection, flow is what matters the most. In short, I'd take a 2500 psi 3.0 gpm unit over 3000 psi 2.5 gpm every time. That's a general rule of thumb of course, because until they start publishing the flow curve for the pumps, you don't really know how one pump would compare to another for any given application.

I'll pay for long-life flexible hoses, and a quality spray gun. Nozzles and other accessories are easily obtained so I don't pay much attention to that for the initial purchase.

You CAN buy powerful electric units. They aren't cheap, which just reinforces that the price indicates and emphasizes the quality of the pump, more than the engine. You also are limited by how much power you can draw from a 120v/20a wall receptical via a long extension cord. 10AWG 100' extension cords cost more than a gas engine these days. :shock: But HD electric units are awesome to use and do run somewhat quieter than equivalent gas units.

I know this question is coming, I have a John Deere branded unit. Cold water only, 3000psi/3.0 gpm. Top-shelf AR pump, had a 7 year warranty on the pump. 9 HP Subaru EX premium engine. It does everything I need and does it fairly quick. Sometimes a little more flow would be handy to get things like my driveway done quicker. Mi-T-M is the OEM for my unit, they make fantastic pressure washers for everything from residential through commercial/municipal (read: sewer!) applications. I do enjoy window shopping on sites like Pressure Washers Direct just to see what's out there and the current price points. But I'm not likely to actually need another pressure washer - ever. So I live vicariously through all y'all. :bandit:

I really appreciate this feedback, this is what makes this forum so awesome :thumbup:

I agree with hiring out the big jobs- I'll probably pick up a Sun Joe or comparable unit for small jobs around the house.

 

For what it's worth, I've used my Troy Bilt 2,600 PSI 2.3 GPM pressure washer with a Honda GCV 160 motor on it for over a decade. It starts with the first pull season after season. I remember wanting to buy one with a Honda motor when I was in the market for a washer, and my wife tried to talk me into buying a lesser expensive model. I didn't budge, and I have a quality machine that still works great.

Looks like the newer models have 3100 PSI and 2.7 GPM pumps The price is about what I paid way back when. If mine broke today, I'd not hesitate to go buy this as a replacement.

 

For what it's worth, I've used my Troy Bilt 2,600 PSI 2.3 GPM pressure washer with a Honda GCV 160 motor on it for over a decade. It starts with the first pull season after season. I remember wanting to buy one with a Honda motor when I was in the market for a washer, and my wife tried to talk me into buying a lesser expensive model. I didn't budge, and I have a quality machine that still works great.

Looks like the newer models have 3100 PSI and 2.7 GPM pumps The price is about what I paid way back when. If mine broke today, I'd not hesitate to go buy this as a replacement.

That newer Troy bilt is the exact model I just bought. I used it on the driveway and concrete steps and really liked it. It's pretty loud but most pressure washers will be. One thing to remember is the listed psi and flow rate are maximums. You will not get both at the same time. With my model at 3100 psi I think I get 2.4 gpm. At 2800 psi I get 2.7 gpm. It varies by the tip you are using.

 

Thanks @Colonel K0rn . I ended up getting a Ryobi 2000 PSI electric model. Used it for the first time this weekend and works great!

 

I was liking the SPX3000

 

Is buying a "used" pressure washer much of a risk? Is it something that you would recommend buying new?

I found these in my local facebook marketplace. One is new in box, the other is used.

Looking to stay around 400-500$ mark and would like a Honda GX and Triplex pump. These are slightly higher price but maybe negotiable on 50-100$?

@MasterMech Is this JD the same as yours? The model on this one is the 020297. I can't find much online about them except for finding parts haha.

 

Nope, those were built by Briggs and Stratton Power believe it or not. They weren't bad units and that one should have even more umph than mine. I'd beat him up on the price some. He's at about 75% of new and it's missing OEM accessories.

 

@MasterMech

What is "missing". He said he was missing the "short" wand? Is there a long wand and short that comes with it?

 

Usually they come with a standard wand, nozzles, and a hose. Sounds like he might have a telescoping wand for washing high areas. They're nice but def not going to be what you want for 90% of the work you'll do with it.

 

I have a Simpson 3100 psi Im not sure of the pump name but I can tell you this get a Honda engine. A pressure washer sits a lot you use it a couple times a year but its not used like a mower, blower etc everytime I go to start It it starts with 1 pull. It's like 8 years old too.

 

MasterMech, Col, all contributing, just wanna shout-out a huge, "Thank You!" and THIS IS YET ANOTHER GRRRRREAT TLF THREAD !!!!

Man, what you say about engines outlasting the pumps is soooo true! I have a nearly 20 year old Campbell-Hausfeld run-o-the-mill model with a B&S engine on it which literally "sings" but, on which the 2,000 psi pump has been rebuilt twice.

However; going forward I do not believe I am going to be lucky enough to find anyone to rebui,d the pump, "next time." :-(

And thus, I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS THREAD!!!

(I was in Rural King awhile back, came upon a Stihl pressure washer mixed in with the string trimmers and chain saws and my knees buckled and my vision blurred a moment when I saw the price tag on that sucka!

No doubt, I'll be coming back to this thread again and again as I anticipate the next time the pump goes tits up on my C-H / B&S (crazy how strong that engine is after I'd say about 90-hours of use - fires right up on first pull of the rope every time and rpms as even as sewing machine!) and I find myself back in the market ... (ugh!)

. . .storage of gas is a concern since it won't be used as frequently as my mower, for example. . . .

Hi, cnet! Those are the same concerns I had about my generator AND my prsr washer (and probably a couple other gas small engines we only run when we "really need" them). Thankfully, the following regimen (which I got into before I had access to non-ethanol gas) continues to keep all our small engines running (knock on wood) flawlessly: first, I keep a "log" of sorts attached to each pc of eqpt with a binder clip and which we use to track hours of use, oil and spark changes, etc. which I change religiously (oil and sparks are cheap! ;-) Secondly, now that we have access to zero ethanol gas that is ALL we run in them. We got turned onto "PRI-G" by some chemical engineers in the military avionics/space flight programs and swore by it when we were forced to use ethanol gas and, even though we use no eth now we still use PRI-G as an additive stabilizer in roughly a dozen engines across the estate and dock, everything but our everyday driver vehicles. Third, I never store small engines with gas in them; siphon the tank and run em dry (only momentarily) with the PRI-G gas. Fourth, and probably the reason everything (again, knock on wood) fires right up is before I store any small engine I remove the spark plug and apply a small amount of lightweight oil into the spark hole and give the starter rope few good pulls (or ignition a single rotation). If it has a rope on it I try to have the cylinder wind up "midway" (in between resistance). Replace the spark plug and sleep well. (Funny, I was stuck in an Emergency Opns center for days during a particularly hellish hurricane and, when when I finally made it home a week later I had male neighbors waiting for me to explain how it was they observed my wife (a grandmother) fire our rope pull genny up on the first pull, while they were all outside at the same time struggling coaxing and cursing their own machines. Even after I walked them through my "back to storage process" I got the standard peanut gallery "ethanol is harmless," etc. from one or two of "those neighbors" (every street has theirs). To each his own, I suppose.

I don't have anything against electric anything's but, I no longer fret about storing gas engines long term, either!

"Pumps" on the other hand, I gots lots to learn about!

Best o' Success!

 

I have a Simpson 3100 psi Im not sure of the pump name but I can tell you this get a Honda engine. A pressure washer sits a lot you use it a couple times a year but its not used like a mower, blower etc everytime I go to start It it starts with 1 pull. It's like 8 years old too.

There is nothing about a Honda engine that would make it any less prone to fuel storage issues than any other brand of engine. Good fuel (and general) storage habits = easy starts when you need 'em!

The basics are to add stabilizer immediately when you buy your fuel. Store gas in a -sealed- container in a temperature stabil, and at least semi-dark area. Store equipment with the tanks either completely full (of stabilized gas) or completely dry tanks. If you use an engine occasionally through the year, it's ok to leave fuel in the tank, but take a moment to shut off the fuel at the tank or the line, and drain the carburetor.

The rest is optional (extra oil, spark plugs, fogging procedures, etc.) in my opinion, but I do like to change the oil and store engines on clean oil. Especially something like a lawn tractor that runs a lot during the season and then gets put up for a few months rest. A lot depends on how long you are planning to store an engine. A few months is one thing, several years may dictate a few extra steps.