Has anybody ever noticed... ... how many different models of gasoline engine-driven pressure washers that Sears sells?I believe I counted at least 41 different models on-line... and at least a dozen or more on display in the local Sears hardware store... and I'm sure I missed a few. Most are Craftsman brand... but other brands are in there as well (mainly for special order or on-line purchase).
I always thought it was funny how many different lawnmowers Sears offered... but I am now convinced that pressure washers have overtaken lawnmowers in the sheer number of models offered race. The difference here is that I can understand... at least in part... the reasoning behind so many different lawnmower models. But I am having a very hard time trying to figure out why they need to sell so many different pressure washer models.... often with specs and prices so insanely close to one another that you have to wonder why???What is the point?
Now, I will acknowledge that part of the problem is that they probably need to have multiple suppliers and they also seem to be in a model changeover mode right now. In fact, some models seem to be 2008 leftovers... not just 2009 leftovers.Weird.
This happened to come up because the GF and I are planning to paint Dougster Manor this summer and pressure washing seems to be the most recommended method of both washing and removing flaking paint prior to re-painting. Our current electric pressure washer is not up to that task.
BTW, the new "can't advertise a horsepower rating anymore" rules are not exactly helping with this already near impossible comparison shopping. Neither are these concepts of maximum pressure and maximum gpm (or peak pressure and peak gpm) applied to some (but not all) units. What a bunch of crazy marketing bullstuff.
Dougster™
You've already said it Doug, MARKETING. Anything, any claim, what ever it takes to get that next sale.
For me if I was in the market, the specs I'd pay most attention to is regulated pressure (at least my washer has a pressure regulator) and flow rate. I would also pay attention to who made the components. Durability is important.
Practice makes perfect: After many decade of hard work and practice, it now takes almost no effort to get tired.
Ray Bream - May the most you wish for be the least you get, - BUT work for it.
1970 Bolens 1257 w/tiller
2003 Cub 3204 48" deck
Yanmar Fx24D
RSB 1300 Yanmar tiller
At some point, I'm sure I'll figure it all out.Originally Posted by Mickey
There is no great rush on this and I am inclined to wait for another "friends and family" sale or "midnight madness" sale to get the lowest possible price anyway. Oddly enough, availability of an extra long discharge hose might end up being the deciding factor given our intended use.
Going by the customer reviews & rating posted on-line, there didn't seem to be much model-to-model variation in customer satisfaction. I'm not sure how you can judge the durability of a particular model... other than to go by the salesman's pitch and anything you can find on-line to back-up or contradict the salesman's claims. Occasionally, they will mention the pump manufacturer's name. Seems that a lot of them are made in Italy for some odd reason.
Dougster™
Or you could do like me. I drug my feet long enough that my parents and aunt and uncle went together and surprised me with one for Christmas this past year.
It's a Troy Bilt similar to this one except with last years more contemporary style support frame. (6 Hp. Briggs)
It's essentially the same old school Briggs Quantum I have on the Toro Super Recycler. Outside of being a bit of an oil burner it's been a decent engine for the last 10 years. So hopefully the one on the pressure washer will be as reliable. I'm actually more concerned about the pump. That seems to be the real weak point on any of the less then commercial duty units.
There were some ulterior motives involved though. Mom's been worried about the mildew buildup on the house for several years as well as my uncle and further his garage is too cramped to store one. As you can imagine the result of the gift has added a number of possible cleaning, striping, and painting projects to the summer job list.
Mark - 2002 John Deere LT150-H
This is the (leftover) one we are leaning toward:Or you could do like me. I drug my feet long enough that my parents and aunt and uncle went together and surprised me with one for Christmas this past year.
It's a Troy Bilt similar to this one except with last years more contemporary style support frame. (6 Hp. Briggs)
It's essentially the same old school Briggs Quantum I have on the Toro Super Recycler. Outside of being a bit of an oil burner it's been a decent engine for the last 10 years. So hopefully the one on the pressure washer will be as reliable. I'm actually more concerned about the pump. That seems to be the real weak point on any of the less then commercial duty units.
There were some ulterior motives involved though. Mom's been worried about the mildew buildup on the house for several years as well as my uncle and further his garage is too cramped to store one. As you can imagine the result of the gift has added a number of possible cleaning, striping, and painting projects to the summer job list.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...Washers%2C+Gas
It's currently $351 plus tax (after mail-in rebate for using the Sears credit card).
No HP rating so I can't tell how it compares to your Troy Bilt.
I did hit Home Depot and I wasn't impressed by anything they had to offer. We haven't hit Lowes yet.
Dougster™
When it comes to durability I think one could look at make, model of the engine and pump. Is hose plastic or reinforced rubber?
For the engine is it one of those low cost throw away models or something more substantial. Same for the pump, can it be found separately from the washer if so what is its intended purpose and has it been around for some time?
My OLD washer is electric, a 1 HP motor with a Hypro pump. Washer is ~ 30 yrs old and no real problems so far but pump is in need of new seals. The hose is 25' reinforced rubber. Carriage is almost non-existent, just a platform with sheet metal cover over the motor and a couple small wheels. I bought it used at a garage sale for something like $50. Suspect it will last another 25 yrs.
The pump is still in production. https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.a...245-B&catname=
I'm not so excited with the ultra high pressures found on today's washers. Pressure at what is being advertised today can do a lot of damage to many things if hit at a close distance. BIL blasted the decal stripping off his new car using the washer with it's 500 psi rating.
Practice makes perfect: After many decade of hard work and practice, it now takes almost no effort to get tired.
Ray Bream - May the most you wish for be the least you get, - BUT work for it.
1970 Bolens 1257 w/tiller
2003 Cub 3204 48" deck
Yanmar Fx24D
RSB 1300 Yanmar tiller
Lord knows that I am not very worried about over-performance. I am far more worried about under-performance.
Just got back from Sears and it turns out we're going to have to stretch a little more to get something halfway decent. Here is my new target:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...Washers%2C+Gas
But this one is a bit of a budget buster and I'm not sure where that extra money is going to come from. I was already short about $30 on the first one. Now I'm about $100 short.
I hope this one ain't a throw-away... but only time will tell. I cannot afford one with a Honda Engine... but I'm not that overly impressed with those small Honda engines anyway. The one on my Sears push lawnmower has not been good at all.
Dougster™
Have you looked at what's available from your least-favorite store Horrible Freight? I am not a fan of Sears powered devices any more.
Good luck
Fred
After my last home depot machine died due to pump plunger failure (a cat pump mad in ???) The Honda engine was fine...
I bought a nice USED machine off Craigslist 6HP to replace the forementioned and it's been doing fine at 1/3 the money of new and no taxes. Even came with a 50' length of aftermarket prior owner installed hydraulic braided hose for the wand connection.
Been using that method as of late to replace stuff.
Alan
Al Letts
SW Ohio
455 w 60" mmm , front plow, front sweeper
L245DT Fire victim still being restored
Hi Fred - Nothing suitable from Horrible Fright this time around. Even with a deep sale price, another free LED flashlight and 20% more off, the only unit meeting my minimum spec is way beyond my budget. They simply don't offer one in that ~3,000 PSI, ~3 GPM category.
Hi Alan - I did make an offer to a guy on Craigslist for a 3,000 PSI Troy-Bilt. No response yet. Nothing else on Craigslist looked like it would work. Even this Troy-Bilt looks a bit marginal and risky for our intended purposes... but it could potentially save us some money if the seller accepts my offer.
Dougster™
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