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UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: water fed bill on June 16, 2015, 03:21:53 pm

Title: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 16, 2015, 03:21:53 pm
Hello
I know this has probably been covereved but Ive done a search and cant find the info Im after,
Im thinking of doing pressure wahing as an add on but not sure what to get,
dont want anything massive as not much room in van it wont be used every day all day so wont need to be super heavy duty, I would like a whirl away aswell to go with it,
I want to try and keep under the £1000 mark for the lot
I have been looking at a clarke pressure washer but not sure if its good enough or if there is a better option
this is the one im looking at https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-pls260n-260bar-heavy-duty-petrol-driven (https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-pls260n-260bar-heavy-duty-petrol-driven)
any help and advice much appreciated.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Kev Martin on June 16, 2015, 04:27:59 pm
Spend a bit extra and get one off Ben Marriot
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Mike Halliday on June 16, 2015, 06:03:09 pm
What sort of guarentee do you get with  that machine?  The spec is good, it must be a cheap engine ( not Honda)  but it's from machine mart, if you can walk into their store  and you get a years warrantee then it might be worth considering.

You won't get a FSC as well and keep it under a grand, I would forget it and use a turbo lance.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: wpclean on June 16, 2015, 09:51:56 pm
Lee Kenny has some good re-conditioned machines, he doesn't come on here much, but I can get you his number if you want to talk to him.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: serj shergill on June 17, 2015, 03:04:24 am
If your interested and the price is right I have honda gx390 15lpm as a back up machine with full main dealer (supplier) history 3yrs old and the latest 20inch whirlaway which has done about 3hrs work for sale. Will come with 10 or 20m hose, lance and turbo nozzle.


Serj.
Call me on 07932606669 or  0800 772  0004.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Ian101 on June 17, 2015, 07:52:33 am
If your interested and the price is right I have honda gx390 15lpm as a back up machine with full main dealer (supplier) history 3yrs old and the latest 20inch whirlaway which has done about 3hrs work for sale. Will come with 10 or 20m hose, lance and turbo nozzle.


Serj.
Call me on 07932606669 or  0800 772  0004.

this is the spec you need
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: davids3511 on June 17, 2015, 04:57:08 pm
Hello
I know this has probably been covereved but Ive done a search and cant find the info Im after,
Im thinking of doing pressure wahing as an add on but not sure what to get,
dont want anything massive as not much room in van it wont be used every day all day so wont need to be super heavy duty, I would like a whirl away aswell to go with it,
I want to try and keep under the £1000 mark for the lot
I have been looking at a clarke pressure washer but not sure if its good enough or if there is a better option
this is the one im looking at https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-pls260n-260bar-heavy-duty-petrol-driven (https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-pls260n-260bar-heavy-duty-petrol-driven)
any help and advice much appreciated.
I use one of these and its been fine for 4 years. Mine is the older model outputting 18.1ltrs pm and it runs an 18" whirlaway without problems. If I was 100% PW every day I'd go for a Honda. For an add on this power washer is fine.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: davids3511 on June 17, 2015, 04:57:46 pm
PS there's one on eBay for £485 right now.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 17, 2015, 05:16:12 pm
Thanks for the replys got a link to the one on ebay ?
I think you get a year warranty with clarke tools
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Ben Marriott on June 17, 2015, 06:25:52 pm
Check what the warranty covers first :) they may say a year but there is sometimes a clause to say you cannot use them commercially / continuously :)
Title: Re: pressure washser ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 17, 2015, 07:59:46 pm
Says in description that its designed for contractors
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 17, 2015, 09:18:26 pm
Found a 16" whirl a way on ebay new for 330 is this right for the job
Item no 301650453634
Many thanks for your help
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Ben Marriott on June 17, 2015, 09:49:02 pm
Spend the extra and get a wheeled fsc - it takes some of the strain off the machine as it is not being relied upon to 'float' the flat surface cleaner. an 18" is about £395
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: davids3511 on June 17, 2015, 09:55:01 pm
http://thepowersite.co.uk/85-403-005-be-pressure-18in-composite-whirl-a-way-rotary-flat-surface-cleaner/
Out of stock right now but you can preorder for when they come back in. £332 for the wheeled 18".
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: davids3511 on June 17, 2015, 10:04:12 pm
Thanks for the replys got a link to the one on ebay ?
I think you get a year warranty with clarke tools
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarke-Petrol-Pressure-Washer-13hp-engine-Used-once-/131522247907?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1e9f563ce3

On closer inspection that doesn't look like the original pump. I would question him about that.
Title: Re: pressure washser ?
Post by: wpclean on June 17, 2015, 10:30:50 pm
Says in description that its designed for contractors
Says oxo on buses, but doesn't mean they sell em ! ;D
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Ben Marriott on June 17, 2015, 10:32:38 pm
http://thepowersite.co.uk/85-403-005-be-pressure-18in-composite-whirl-a-way-rotary-flat-surface-cleaner/
Out of stock right now but you can preorder for when they come back in. £332 for the wheeled 18".

The PowerSite is Genpower which is also three other online stores :D they do it to try to mug their distributors into thinking they aren't selling direct to the end user - the 18" whirlaways you are pre-ordering were ordered Tuesday and will be here in 8 - 10 weeks :D Direct from China on the slow boat to Swansea docks
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 17, 2015, 10:36:09 pm
Thanks chaps that pressure washer on ebay looks abit suspect.
If they say its for contractors they cant argue about warranty really.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: wpclean on June 17, 2015, 11:16:03 pm
Thanks chaps that pressure washer on ebay looks abit suspect.
If they say its for contractors they cant argue about warranty really.
You think ?
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: davids3511 on June 17, 2015, 11:46:42 pm
If the want to they can say anything. Running it without oil, cooking the pump by leaving it running with no water moving. Anything really. What is machine marts reputation like?
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Rob@Blast off on June 18, 2015, 12:54:18 am
I've learnt the hard way that you get what you pay for, can't comment on the Clark machine but I think rhinoman has one, as for genpower/powersite/be pressure their after sales is awful.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: chris scott on June 18, 2015, 06:54:34 am
Buy from here Rutland Pumps Limited - 01572 729303 - benm@rutlandpumps.co.uk
Proper "tradesmans " warrenty.
Quality engines and pumps
Excellent after sales back up …from someone who uses and builds equipment on a daily basis.
You would have to ask but I would imagine he will price match as long as it is "like for like" same spec equipment.
In this game the cheapest option is not always the best..buy quality and it will give you better service in what is always a harsh working environment. The equipment that Ben supplies will always have a residual value when you come to sell it unlike the machine mart equipment.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Ben Marriott on June 18, 2015, 09:01:30 am
Ta  ;D

Check eBay if looking for a bargain but again beware warranty!
No matter where the warranty comes from the first thing you look for is user error / poor maintenance.

50% of pump problems come down to cavitation the other half is fair wear and tear or incorrect use.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 18, 2015, 09:07:03 am
I was always led to believe that clarke tools are decent quality ?
Dont forget it will be for an add on service not every day all day use. I need to think about earning the money back before I make any profit
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Ben Marriott on June 18, 2015, 10:32:34 am
The machine for the money will do the job fine :)
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Matt. on June 18, 2015, 10:33:03 am
Hello mate,
Am a window cleaner, all day everyday, similar situation to you as I was 'adding on'. I bought my machine off Ben earlier this year, and am very happy with it, infact well impressed

The info being offered about Ben is coming from all over the country so it's not like we all on his door step, am in Liverpool any many were buying off him long before he came on here, it's just an added extra part of the service he offers to come on here to help out anyone ( even those who buy elsewhere ) who is having a few problems.

Like Chris says you buying off the guy who puts these machines together and knows everything about them,
Not

The guy on the phone/counter who then phones his man, who then orders it in to the docks, on the steam boat.......eventually arrives, but what happens when something goes wrong does the machine have to go back around the world to sort warranty out ???
And we all know what quality the Chinese make  ;D

Have used my machine on a few jobs, and have probably earned back what I have spent on equipment, my problem is I am having to turn jobs away as am to busy with window cleaning, new customer has got me working nights and still having to maintain my day to day work, so pressure washing is only done for the absolute must jobs, anything else is put on a to do list as long as my arm

In short terms " Ben is all day " and very trustworthy.

I bought my machine, with 130m high pressure hose, I know he's got me a fsc in his unit, I just need to pay for it, so as you see a lot of us keep going back to Ben for the next piece of equipment so he must be doing something right.








Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 18, 2015, 10:46:51 am
I have looked at rutland pumps and although im sure they are great machines they are double the price of what I want to spend. I am running the risk of buying a machine n not getting enough work for it so dont want to go mad on buying top end gear. If it takes off n I get a high demand for it I would look at upgrading to a a honda or something.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Ben Marriott on June 18, 2015, 10:49:12 am
Ta Matty! Bill is right if you are really unsure of the work to come go for something manageable and upgrade! :D

I believe Rhino Man uses one of the machine mart machines for little jobs and is struggling to kill the thing off :D
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Matt. on June 18, 2015, 11:38:04 am
Ok bill, dont start laughing now...........

The only machine I had ever used was a £50 karcher from B&Q.  When I got my machine I sent an email to Ben asking which hole was for what  ???

I didn't even know how to start it haha

My point is mate, this is not an add on, this is another route to explore, in truth I need another van, just for pressure washing,

Am all about cutting corners and saving on costs, but if you going to spend say £1000, and you want everything bar the fsc, you may end up spending another £500 on a new pump and fitting after 2 months. Then you have spent £1500 and still want a fsc

I think with this equipment, you either need to buy new or know the person who sells you it second hand,

let's say " Jim has a machine it's 12 months old, looks spotless coz he wipes it down everyday, but he's been as busy as a bee and inside of machine has had a good kicking, he spent £1400 on machine and Bob offers him say £1000, from Jim's point of view he's thinking it would cost me £400-£500 for new pump and all the messing about, ok mate we have a deal,

Jim's then thinking ......... Ring Rutland, can I have a brand new machine please Ben ! Blah blah blah .......... Yes mate only had to put £400 to it  ;D

Al pass bob ya number coz he will need a new pump soon !!!

You see where am going, and if you spent £1000 and the machine broke, you then put it in the shed and say I will sort it out soon.......... 12 months later it's on eBay for spares or repairs, idiots ringing up offering £100 inc delivery
Or
 you get it repaired and your already at the cost of a new one

You look back and say I hated that pressure washing stuff, bad idea at the time. Where taking the right decision, maybe looking back saying that's was good decision.

Decisions taken today will decide the outcome of tomora.

Either way I just wanted you to see both sides for and against new and used

For me it's new every time unless the price is less than 40% of what it would cost to buy new,so I would give you £400 max for a £1000 machine





Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 18, 2015, 11:50:02 am
Thats my thinking too I know its not a honda but it is new with a years warranty. Every machine for sale on ebay thats second hand has "only done one job " or "very light use" but unless you strip it down n check the internals you just dont know.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Matt. on June 18, 2015, 11:57:31 am
Decision decisions ................

I based the price on a gx390 20 lpm 220 bar say, as this is about mine but am not 100% sure, if only 15 lpm is needed am not sure of price difference

Good luck anyway mate, but if it was me I would be chatting to Ben.......... ( off line  ;D )
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 18, 2015, 01:40:07 pm
I have rung machine mart and asked about the warranty it is 1 year and covers commercial use. They can also get me one within 5 days to my door.
I did forget to ask though and you guys will probably be able to answer it for me, can it be run from a tap or will I need to run it from my water tank ?
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: wpclean on June 18, 2015, 02:36:41 pm
I have looked at rutland pumps and although im sure they are great machines they are double the price of what I want to spend. I am running the risk of buying a machine n not getting enough work for it so dont want to go mad on buying top end gear. If it takes off n I get a high demand for it I would look at upgrading to a a honda or something.
Funny way of looking at running your business, you would be better getting the best equipment, and going out there and finding the work.        Talking about " add on " makes you look like a part time amateur !    Sorry to sound harsh, but if you start with the attitude of " buying the cheapest gear, and just trying it, you are doomed to fail !
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: serj shergill on June 18, 2015, 02:45:33 pm
Unless you can get 15lpm from the mains, yet to experience that, usually your lucky if you can get 10lpm. You will need to work from a tank...
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: serj shergill on June 18, 2015, 02:57:52 pm
Totally agree samson, I started my business 3yrs ago and on a part time basis, I  invested in the best and recouped all my money within a few jobs. Touch wood I have never had any problems with my equipment bar a reel I bought a few months ago.

Why upgrade later and spend double when a few hundred ££ extra can buy the best.

also with the Internet most customers know what to expect and turning up with the right equipment makes a good impression and not to mention no lost days to poor quality equipment.

I recently did a job where the customer wanted to know what equipment I was using, including the bar and flow rate ??? ???.  Only after completion I was told that I was chosen because of my setup,  even though I was not the cheapest.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Matt. on June 18, 2015, 03:25:07 pm
Totally agree samson, I started my business 3yrs ago and on a part time basis, I  invested in the best and recouped all my money within a few jobs. Touch wood I have never had any problems with my equipment bar a reel I bought a few months ago.

Why upgrade later and spend double when a few hundred ££ extra can buy the best.

also with the Internet most customers know what to expect and turning up with the right equipment makes a good impression and not to mention no lost days to poor quality equipment.

I recently did a job where the customer wanted to know what equipment I was using, including the bar and flow rate ??? ???.  Only after completion I was told that I was chosen because of my setup,  even though I was not the cheapest.

And that's pretty much everything in a nut shell
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Matt. on June 18, 2015, 03:35:12 pm
Am working through the night on an on going job cleaning windows, just had a call from a customer, " can I pressure wash there site tonight" - £300 about 6 hours work.

Without the machine there I would have to say no, instead I just rang a lad who works for me, £100 job an knock, and about £12 fuel.

Just means him dropping me off and taking my van.

It's not an add on no more, it's up an running, wouldn't really have done this job but it's emergency for customer.

I suppose once it's paid for it's self, it's just another service you can provide and saves bring competitors onto sites that we already have work on



Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 18, 2015, 04:49:59 pm
I have looked at rutland pumps and although im sure they are great machines they are double the price of what I want to spend. I am running the risk of buying a machine n not getting enough work for it so dont want to go mad on buying top end gear. If it takes off n I get a high demand for it I would look at upgrading to a a honda or something.
Funny way of looking at running your business, you would be better getting the best equipment, and going out there and finding the work.        Talking about " add on " makes you look like a part time amateur !    Sorry to sound harsh, but if you start with the attitude of " buying the cheapest gear, and just trying it, you are doomed to fail !
Might be to you but I think I need to walk before I can run I cant see the point in buying all the top end gear to use it a couple of times a week. If I was running just a pressure washing business then I would get a big van with a bigger tank and go for a top end diesel machine. But thats over kill for what I need. Ive got a good bussiness cleaning windows with a good wfp system that I use every day. Ive got a gutter vac system as an add on and has been a good investment so maybe a pressure washer will be the same but I just dont know. Im not bloody alan sugar so I cant see point in acting like him.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: wpclean on June 18, 2015, 06:21:45 pm
Your're fired  ;D
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: serj shergill on June 18, 2015, 06:31:12 pm
 As said before you will be able to pick up a decent honda pressure washer for £750 (used) which will pay for it's self after a couple of jobs and still have a resale value, plus the added reliability.

At the end you know whats best for your business,  all I can say is that I have learnt a lot from these guys and I would always take onboard in what they say.

Best of luck.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Matt. on June 18, 2015, 07:31:37 pm
When I was buying, I was told if you are going to buy a second hand machine, a 21 lpm 200 bar so to say, with lances an hoses, not to pay more than 800 as it's then on the boundary of buying new, so as Serg says it may be worth picking one up for 750 ish and being able to sell on for 500 ish if you do decide to buy a new one, that way there's not a massive out lay and jobs can then be done, money starts coming and equipment can then be renewed.

I think no matter what, your going to need a tank to draw from so you will need something that hold about 300L ( this won't last long so need to be feeding it ) I use 650 and can empty a full tank in just over an hour if am not feeding it, so the bigger the better really, just depends on van size,

Again the info am given is not to buy a second hand fsc as on another post there tonight it's gone pop just like a second hand machine can, ( not to put a dampner on the idea ), and am sure I read about someone buying a fsc the other day, it would not work with his machine or something so beware and check first before spending

Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 18, 2015, 09:31:40 pm
Thanks for the advice will let you know when I decide what to do.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on June 24, 2015, 02:14:41 pm
Ok so we went for the clarke machine got the Vat knocked off so worked out with delivery £503. Have also ordered a 22" whirlaway. So may need more advice when it arrives.
Cheers
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: serj shergill on June 25, 2015, 03:41:20 pm
Will  a 22inch whirlaway  work effectively  off a Clarke  pressurewasher?  I would think you will need at least  21lpm. I am guessing  your  whirlaway  cost as much as your pressure  washer? Only my thought, you would have been better of spending  the extra on a pressure washer and using a turbo lance if your budget  was tight.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Ben Marriott on June 25, 2015, 03:42:06 pm
Will  a 22inch whirlaway  work effectively  off a Clarke  pressurewasher?  I would think you will need at least  21lpm. I am guessing  your  whirlaway  cost as much as your pressure  washer? Only my thought, you would have been better of spending  the extra on a pressure washer and using a turbo lance if your budget  was tight.

+1

It will run it... but ish
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: water fed bill on July 19, 2015, 08:38:09 pm
Hi sorry for the late reply guys have just got it all set up and running after abit of messing about its runs the whirlaway but ive not had anything really dirty to try it on so I am worried now that it may be nit good enough would I be better with a smaller one ?
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Smurf on July 20, 2015, 12:33:55 am
I've been lucky to date as have always brought good used pressure washing kit cheap which is still going strong.

So I can say when starting out when you’re on a tight budget you don't have to buy new at all. Just need to make sure you buy it at the right price to start with so if it goes tits up you have not lost out.

I have so far accumulated 3 pressure washers and 4 spinners (2 whirlaway and 2 dirt devil) that in total I paid out less than a grand for the lot.

 







Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Plankton on July 22, 2015, 11:33:24 pm
I've been lucky to date as have always brought good used pressure washing kit cheap which is still going strong.

So I can say when starting out when you’re on a tight budget you don't have to buy new at all. Just need to make sure you buy it at the right price to start with so if it goes tits up you have not lost out.

I have so far accumulated 3 pressure washers and 4 spinners (2 whirlaway and 2 dirt devil) that in total I paid out less than a grand for the lot.
How much in repairs and over what period of time and do you service them yourself. If you don't mind me asking :)
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Smurf on July 24, 2015, 12:11:33 am
Not spent a penny in repairs as of yet. What you have to service them aswell?  ;D

I've been lucky to date as have always brought good used pressure washing kit cheap which is still going strong.

So I can say when starting out when you’re on a tight budget you don't have to buy new at all. Just need to make sure you buy it at the right price to start with so if it goes tits up you have not lost out.

I have so far accumulated 3 pressure washers and 4 spinners (2 whirlaway and 2 dirt devil) that in total I paid out less than a grand for the lot.
How much in repairs and over what period of time and do you service them yourself. If you don't mind me asking :)
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: serj shergill on July 24, 2015, 09:38:43 pm
Don't want to sound negative,  I would be surprised if your flat surface cleaner will remove stubborn weeds etc with the flow rate of your pressure washer, it will clean your brickwork though. The problem is you will be doubling your workload with using a flat surface cleaner then a turbo nozzle.  I only ever use my lance to rinse as my whirlaway takes care of everything else. Also the whole point of the flat surface cleaner is to save time over a lance.
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: scott johns on July 26, 2015, 10:07:12 pm
try spinaclean lovely company excellent service and back up
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Ben Marriott on July 26, 2015, 10:16:46 pm
Lovely but their prices are mental! No one should be able to get away with a 2k net profit on a pressure washer.
http://www.spinaclean.com/patio-paving-surface-cleaning-packages.asp
Title: Re: pressure washer ?
Post by: Smurf on July 27, 2015, 09:07:58 am
They do look a wee bit overpriced like all the stuff the chap seems to sell  ::)roll

Lovely but their prices are mental! No one should be able to get away with a 2k net profit on a pressure washer.
http://www.spinaclean.com/patio-paving-surface-cleaning-packages.asp