[JSMC]

have 2 on the go with no replies anybody have any info?

Also type of pressure washer suited for taking water from tank? I am sure there are 2 types and one pulls from tank whilst other is fed from taps?

[Rob_Mac]

I have a Karcher 745 - electric, this machine does not draw from a tank. It must be mains fed> I believe it is air cooled>

I have two Yanmar engine diesel pressure washers that will draw from a tank and they are water cooled, two other petrol pressure washers that are water cooled and will draw from a tank.

What pressure washer would I recommend - if you go on Ebay and type in diesel pressure washer, there is a Yanmar diesel one, red trolley - buy it!!!

I use two of these day in and day out. They run on about 2 quids worth of red diesel per day!!! and they just keep going. Don't be put off by secondhand. Five of the six pressure washers I own have been bought from Ebay and the only one I bought new - Northern Tool - the pump blew up after 5 months.

That pressure washer on ebay is the exact model that i use, bombproof and they just keep going!!!!!

Rob

[JSMC]

if i had to get this job i would be buying a pressure washer. If taking water from tank does the washer need to be next to the tank? at what distance away from tank does the pressure washer not operate as good. I would need to move the pressure washer about but van would need to be parked upin one spot. I would be hoping to run a hosereel from tank to washer

[Rob_Mac]

I have two of mine set up in a trailer with a bottom feed that is 22mm and split by a T junction that goes one way to a drain jetter and the other way to the two pressure washers.

The whole supply is in 22mm ( because of what the equipment will draw - if all on at the same time!). I have a second trailer that I am setting up with a 400ltr tank, bottom feed but single pressure washer, generator and chewing gum removal system.

This trailer will also have 22mm feed supply for one pressure washer.

For what you are proposing I do not believe that you can go long distances to draw the water between the machine and water tank. I think that we have gone about 4 metres but cut this down to a couple of metres(when we first started) and now they are right next to each other, possibly a metre between all equipment. If the distance is too far the machine is working twice as hard to get water and I think it will struggle to draw. I can't remeber if the people i take them to for servicing said something about 3 metres max!!

Rob

[JSMC]

this is no good! how are you supposed to get to areas without having the van parked right up nex tot you? would you need a portable water supply say forma large container holding 100 ltr etc?


the washers which take from tanks would you be able to just dip hose into tank and then start washer up no probs or does the hos eneed connected into tank.

i only have my tank in van which i use for cleaning windows but would drain it and fill with normal water

[Rob_Mac]

This is the easy bit. Go out and start spending about 80 - 100 pounds per 20 metre coil of pressure washer hose.

I have 15 @ 20 metres and 3 @ 30 metres and on one or two jobs I have used 200 metres worth - with no loss of quality or pressure!!

Rob

[Rob_Mac]

You can drop a feed into the tank but it needs weighting down so it stays near the bottom.

Rob

[JSMC]

ok got ya mate. so it seems diesel washer is required and also portable water tank. I can get a large drum from my old work and stick on trolley for areas where it's hard to access with van.

any probs with pressure washers breaking down etc?

[Rob_Mac]

If you want a first class job, with low running costs, you are going to be doing more than one job and are looking at offering a serious service then buy a diesel pressure washer.

You need a bypass valve fitted, this recirculates the water back into the tank and keeps the pump cool. If there is no bypass and the machine is on but there is no flow of water the water in the pump has nowhere to go and gets hotter until it forces itself out of the pump wall. It will explode, I have done it!!!.

Buy a decent machine and you should have trouble free pressure washing for many years. Buy cheap and you will regret it!!

Whereabouts are you based

Good luck

Rob

[JSMC]

based in scotland. lanarkshire. this one job would pay for apressure washer easily i reckon. Is ot just a case of point and spray when cleaning up slabs?

Also is using my tank in van it would be driane dof pure water and then filled with normal tap water with tds of 28. I wouldn't be letting myself in for any problems would i ? especially when recirculatig or stuff. Hope not to contaminate tank. Reckon all would be ok though

[Rob_Mac]

Till I got the trailer I used the same tank as I cleaned windows with. just make sure you mop up any pooled water. any droplets on the side etc wont make any difference.

Running costs are a factor if you are going to offer as an add on.

My petrol pressure washers cost about 12 quid per 8 hour shift. that is a constant eight hours.

My diesel pressure washers cost about 2 quid per 8 hour shift, continual use. use red diesel at 50p per litre and I get a 20 litre drum and that will last over a week.

Like anything there is technique, it is easy to stripe areas if you don't pass over them close enough but also you need to be high enough to not take twice as long as it should. People swear by flat surface cleaners but again I am very, very quick, I do hundreds of thousands of metres per year! with turbo nozzles and the FSC never really gets wet!

Rob

[JSMC]

wha is minimum requirements for pressure washer? Flat surface cleaner would be a good option i think. I guess when cleaning cars and stuff need to be moved incase any damage occurs

[Rob_Mac]

Minimum 3000psi but I think they are set up to work better with 4000psi machines. You need to check that the machine and FSC are compatible. If you do buy a pressure washer and FS cleaner from Ebay it is only a case of getting the nozzles changed to make them compatible andd any reputable supplier will tell you what size you need.

You can achieve a good job with a 5.5hp @ 2000psi but you will always work harder and maybe need chemical assistance. I have 15 litre per minute machines, petrol and diesel and boost the pressure up with the turbo nozzles.

I have to work round cars all the time. If you can get them shifted that is better but if it is unavoidable that they are going to get dirty I wash them off with the pressure washer

Rob

[JSMC]

http://www.equip2clean.co.uk/diesel-pressure-washers/pressure-cleaning-business-start-up-blockpaving-patios-p-330.html


good deal? what these washers like?

[Rob_Mac]

LOL

Was that 1400 pounds. I've given you my advice. that is not a pressure washer make I am familiar with. It does not have a recognisable pump or engine and may be a cheap chinese import. It may be brilliant and never go wrong.

I would look for Honda, Yanmar, Lister, Pratisorri, Interpump, Cat pumps.

It may have a big price but it doesn't make it good quality. The machine on Ebay will go for 600 or 800 max. Get it serviced and you will have a great machine.

Going to bed

Rob

[JSMC]

http://www.sweepfast.com/washers.htm#Petrol%20Pressure%20Washers

these are honda engines on this site. Don't have funds for the yanmar one just now. Honda one from 900 quid up seem ok

[Rob_Mac]

JSMC

I can see where the confusion has come in. The secondhand Yanmar diesel pressure washer that I was looking at has ended and is no longer there.

Yanmar pressure washers come up regularly and sell round the 600 mark. My final say is I would hang on till one does come up and I would bid to buy.

Good luck

Rob

[trevor perry]

This is the easy bit. Go out and start spending about 80 - 100 pounds per 20 metre coil of pressure washer hose.

I have 15 @ 20 metres and 3 @ 30 metres and on one or two jobs I have used 200 metres worth - with no loss of quality or pressure!!

Rob

i have done the same if needs must but it is not recomended to use over about 50m for a long time as this causes back pressure and isnt very good for your pump.

[JSMC]

so what about those honda ones?

[Rob_Mac]

Trevor

I use long runs of hose on just about every single job. Averaging 80 metres - never had any problems!. It can't cause that many problems or my drain jetter and everyone elses wouldn't be set up with 100 metre reels, or am I missing something.

Rob