need some advice please

G

Greg

New Member
Hello !
Folks i am new to pressurewashing and i would appreaciate some advice.
I am from sweeden and have lived in te states for 3 years ,now decided to try pressurewashing,so dont laugh t me or my english mistakes.
Could somebody give an advice on choosing a good unit.I am looking at belt drive 13 hp honda engine,cat pump/3500 psi/4,5 gpm,priced at $1799,and is sold by some maury company or something like that.Does any one knows aboui it?I would be using it many hours a week,washing houses,decks,boats,driveays et.It has stailnes steel frame.Is there anything else ,i mean features that i should consider before i buy one?What are the differences between general and cat pump,and what kind of unloader i should consider with it/pressure or flow controlled.
Maybe somebody could tell me about unit you use and where to get a good one at a good price,i am sure you all know a lot more than i do.Then more i reaserce internet ,than more confused i get.I would really like to go in business and be succesful at it thats why i need to choose right equipment.There are just 2 guys in my town who pressurewash and they are always busy.
I would highly appreaciate any advices for beginners.By the way this is the best board i have seen,very friendly and cool.A lots to learn from you all.Thanks,Greg
 
G

Greg

New Member
Originally posted by Greg:
Hello !
Folks i am new to pressurewashing and i would appreaciate some advice.
I am from sweeden and have lived in te states for 3 years ,now decided to try pressurewashing,so dont laugh at me or my english mistakes.
Could somebody give an advice on choosing a good unit.I am looking at belt drive 13 hp honda engine,cat pump/3500 psi/4,5 gpm,priced at $1799,and is sold by some maury company or something like that.Does any one knows aboui it?I would be using it many hours a week,washing houses,decks,boats,driveays et.It has stailness steel frame.Is there anything else ,i mean features that i should consider before i buy one?What are the differences between general and cat pump,and what kind of unloader i should consider with it/pressure or flow controlled.
Maybe somebody could tell me about unit you use and where to get a good one at a good price,i am sure you all know a lot more than i do.Then more i reaserce internet ,than more confused i get.I would really like to go in business and be succesful at it thats why i need to choose right equipment.There are just 2 guys in my town who pressurewash and they are always busy.
I would highly appreaciate any advices for beginners.By the way this is the best board i have seen,very friendly and cool.A lots to learn from you all.Thanks,Greg
Click to expand...
 
W

WILLIAM STOTT

New Member
GREG,

I AM NEW IN THE BUSINESS TOO. WENT THROUGH THE SAME QUESTIONS YOU ARE ASKING ALSO. HOWEVER, THIS IS WHATS BEEN PASSED ALONG TO ME.

13 HP HONDA ENGINE IS DEFINATELY A GOOD CHOICE. HONDA IS VERY RELIABLE.

CAT PUMPS ARE THE WAY TO GO IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT. OTHERWISE NEXT CHOICE WOULD BE GENERAL.

THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER EITHER A 3500 PSI, 4 GALLONS PER MINUTE (GPM) OR 4000 PSI, 4 GPM.


I WENT A LITTLE SMALLER SINCE MONEY WAS TIGHT. (HONDA 10 HP, 3000 PSI/3 GPM)
WISH I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN 4 GPM. MAYBE LATER.

HOPE THIS HELPED.


BILL
 
Jon

Jon

New Member
This is my opinion only, others will disagree with me.

I would not go below 3000PSI and 5 GPM, nor would I buy a Honda 13 HP motor.

I would get at least 16 or higher, either Vanguard or Kohler. I have 18 HP Kohler.

Again, before you buy anything spend more time researching and perhaps finding someone in the business that will let you either spend time with him/her learning or at least talking with. Jumping in without knowledge is dangerous, I took 3 month and did I ever ask questions, and yes I spent a couple days with someone who was nice enough to allow that.

Jon

I love my job, it's the work I hate
smile.gif


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Beep beep, the OPC Roadrunner coming through.

Jon Fleischer
Oasis Pressure Cleaning
(909) 792-2247
Fax (909) 792-5633
 
H

hotwaterwisard

Guest
Get one with a belt drive. General Pump is cheeper on your wallet when you have to buy parts for it. The price of that unit is a little high. Check around on the web for a better deal.

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Hotwaterwizard@aol.com John DeRosa
 
S

Shane Clardy

New Member
Greg , heres what I did buddy 2 years ago when I started . I went To Home Depot and got there best unit yes they have good cold water units(honda cat pumps general vangaurd direct drives and belt drives) .

get either one charge it or pay for it . they have a 30 day money back garantee so keep it clean and keep the box with all the packageing use it ,get a good feel, research while you use it , and the unit will give you something to compare to . you may decide its what you need or you may go spend big money on a hot water skid model?????if not take it back and say hey tried that and smile

but God bless you freind and hope this helps
 
P

pressurewashing

Guest
There is a lot of other things you have to consider also....Liability insurance...licesing..nozzles..tons of stuff. What town in Tennessee do you live and want to work? Sounds like you have picked the right city if there is only 2 other guys around. Is this a large city that can handle more..what type of advertisement have you been considering? There are more things to consider than I have time to type here..But i think hot is the best, a lot more expensive but can do a lot more that cold. Remember you wouldn't wash your dishes in cold water. Give us a little more information and maybe we can help with where you need to go in Tennessee for good help.

Good Luck
Shirley
 
J

John@Sea Coast

New Member
Greg,
Look in Home Depot or Sams club. I was in Sams Club a few weeks ago and saw a 3500 psi 13hp honda 4gpm with a general pump for $999.00 it is not belt driven. To get started this should be a good machine that leaves you money for other things like Insurance ext... Also if your not wild about pressure washing after you try it you did not break the bank getting a machine. Just my opinion.

John

<FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by John@Sea Coast on June 04, 2000 ]</font>
 
J

J Prewitt

New Member
Hi Greg:
I can't remember the correct formula but the HP controls the PSI. 16hp eng can run a pump that will produces 3,000 psi. You can bring up the psi by reducing the size of the tip.
The unit you buy, needs to be for the type of work you are going to do! Fleet washing and decks, cold water, 2,000 psi is OK, and less money, commercial and gas stations you need 3,000 psi, and a heater.
If you stay with a cold water a pressure controller is OK, but with a heater you need a flow controller.
I read allot about direct Vs. belt drive which is better, Don't know, I like a direct drive.
Question?? If your machine is a 16 hp belt drive how much HP is lost through the belt drive?? I know that a general pump 4 gpm, producing 3,000 psi requires 15.5 hp.
Cat is big in car washes, General is big in mobile pressure washes.

Have you every done this type of work, where are you going to get experience? You state there is 2 other competitors in you town, what are they doing, can the town support another pressure washer?? What are their prices, what is your pricing going to be? Have you completed a market survey?, Just wanting to go into business because you see the other business are busy is no reason to invest into a unit and create hard feeling. Have you talked to any of them? I know 10 of the 23 competitors in my town, and I help them, I recommend them for jobs I don’t want, we trade supplies, parts, customers, even tell them when a company has a bid out. I know what they do and they know what I do. Some times I take one of their customers and sometime they take one of mine. I try to meet every "new" competitor, I give them my price list and invite them for tea. I do this, to let them know what the going pricing is, and so they woen’t under cut the going pricing in town. It’s taken several years to increase the basic pricing in town so everyone can make a living.
Buying a machine is the simplest part of the business. If you are not a "salesman" then don’t get into business, If you can’t accept "no" for an answer and have a comeback, then don’t invest into a pressure washer. I don’t mean to sound mean, but I have seen many people start into business and did’ent make it because being a "Owner" is more than the had expected.
J Prewitt
 
A

AranPressureWashing

Guest
Hey bud - here is a complete set up for about (I think) $7,500.00 It has a skid mount unit on a trailer w/tank, scrubber, and 2 hose reels & about 1/2 of a 55 gal of degreaser and another of fleet wash. It ALSO comes with an X-jet tip!!!

Call (919)776-0979



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Cleaning America - One Job At A Time!
I love My Boss! I Married Her!
E-MAIL: Randy Ferrantino at aran@bellsouth.net
 
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