What Should You Look for First When Choosing a Power Washer?

[PWC_Ad_Min]

The debate has been going on for years....what is the most imporant feature to consider when choosing a General Purpose Power Washer if you could only purchase one unit?

[Robert Hinderliter]

1. Engine Horsepower, 2. PSI, 3. GPM

[Pressure Washing]

GPM would be my first feature important to me.

[MarkA]

It depends alot upon what your cleaning!

[Robert Hinderliter]

The reason I said HP is that a good indicator of the amount of energy available. GPM X PSI x .0006858 gives the amount of Electric Horsepower needed to produce the GPM at a particular PSI. The Electric HP needs to multiplied by 1.3 for a Diesel Engine and 1.8 for a Gasoline Engine.

A lot of consumer pressure washers inflate the PSI and reduce the GPM in order to match the HP available. It is a combination of PSI and GPM for the HP available is the secret for a good professional pressure washer.

[Jim Gamble]

For me, it is Hot water.

We need the hot water to break the bonds of the oil from the concrete.

[prestigestl]

I'm going with GPM.

[Doug Rucker]

......gpm..........

[John Tornabene]

The reason I said HP is that a good indicator of the amount of energy available. GPM X PSI x .0006858 gives the amount of Electric Horsepower needed to produce the GPM at a particular PSI. The Electric HP needs to multiplied by 1.3 for a Diesel Engine and 1.8 for a Gasoline Engine.

A lot of consumer pressure washers inflate the PSI and reduce the GPM in order to match the HP available. It is a combination of PSI and GPM for the HP available is the secret for a good professional pressure washer.

I had to think about this for a second but Roberts answer would be the same as mine. To many PW's give you an 8gpm at 3500 psi and there Belt driven so they can have a Generator to run a Burner. My Mi-T-M is like that except for one big problem...its only 27hp Kohler.

GPM you need the Horse power first and not the other way around. So Horse Power would be first in my book also which is the reason why I bought Guy Blackmons PW with a 34hp Kohler with a pump rated at 8gpm at 3200 psi belt driven. Now I can put a small Generator on it because its all belt driven and this generator will run 2 burners.. So HP is the starting point with me also in the level of importance.
where not talking over kill... even though I'm picking up a 50 HP diesel motor to run a pump, a burner and a Vac all at the same time. I can't wait to put that one together.. all in a low profile enclose Trailer. I take pics when done. THis trailer is strictly for Garage cleaning mostly.

[Grime Busters]

Horsepower is king. Heat (250 + degrees) is mandatory.

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new rig John.