New machine?

[Jaime]

I am thinking of purchasing a new Hot water unit. Any Suggestions? Would like a 4gpm at 4000 unit. Under or around $4000.00 Iron Horse or Tuff Part #T4040G for $3,345.00 General Admiral or Giant pump? Other brands? Thanks Jaime

 

[Scott Stone]

I have a tuff and an elite. They both come from a distributor not in my area.

The Elite is hands down a much better machine than the Tuff. Although mine are both 5 @ 3000, I think that quality always tells. I know absolutely nothing about the iron horse except for the hype from the manufacturer. The parts are all the same so it just depends on the engineering of the electrical parts. I used to believe that all machines were the same, but not anymore.
If you are for sure going to go with one of the machines that you mentioned I would go with the general pump. It is easier to get parts for if you get them locally in an emergency.
Just my thoughts.
Scott Stone
PS Notice I did not mention any particular distributors. Am I a good boy or what?
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If man evolved from monkeys and apes, Why do we still have monkeys and apes

Just a guy driving around trying to make a living washing trucks, Wouldn't know a deck if it bit me in the hind quarters,

Bus. Phone 480-834-3434
Cell Phone 602-509-9741

[This message has been edited by Scott Stone (edited February 26, 2000).]

 

[Dan Flynn]

Your the Best

i replied to your emails but I was having problems with the out going mail. I fixed it now and all is good.



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Dan Flynn
Flynn Service Pro
www.powerwash.net
708 715-4205

 

[Craig/PowerWashUnlimited]

Cat Pumps are heads and tails better than any other, in my opinion. If you have the option, the upgrade is well worth it. Like Scott said though, having a local distributor to work on, or get replacement parts quick, is the key.


Craig

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Craig Knight
Power Wash Unlimited
www.powerwashunlimited.com

 

[Kevin]

My pwasher is 5gpm at 3000 psi 200degree f with a cat pump on it. I was told its more expensive to work on a cat but a cat is supposed to last longer. There is no dealer in my town for any pressure washers so Ill have to drive an hour for help. Not too bad. I paid 3500 for mine. Hope that helps!

 

[Bruce]

Jamie,
I have several 5@3000 TUFF machines all with CAT pumps on them, not had much problems at all with them except replace the fuel filter a few times (less than $3.00). For the money these are very good machines. Less than $3000.00 each.
Bruce

 

[Lorin Grable]

Think about the details that you like on a unit. For instance, I believe the Tuff unit (as E-spec is selling it) comes with a pressure actuated unloader - I prefer a flow actuated unloader. I did some comparisons a while back between a Rahsco RK-21 and a Tuff unit from E-spec. By the time I got the options to match up, they were the same price.

I have a cat pump and a genral pump. The cat parts are expensive compare the general. I don't think in the short haul it would make any difference. The cat might be worth rebuilding by the time it wore out but in a general, you can buy the whole pump new and start over again. Personally, I like to be able to have a complete pump on hand to swap out and get going again quickly - take my time troubleshooting and repairing the broken one. Its harder to justify buying a Cat pump just to sit on the shelf.

 

[Craig/PowerWashUnlimited]

Obviously, if you were going to buy a backup pump to set on the shelf, you would not buy a cat. I don't buy backups, mine never goes down. I trade in my machines every 750 to 1000 hrs, or once a year (which ever comes first). May do it tonight, but i don't break down. It's just worth it to me. I always buy top of the line, whether it be a pressure washer, vcr, camera, tv, etc. I just believe you come out better in the long run. Like i said, it's just not worth it to me wondering when, not if, my machine will go down and cost me a fortune. My father always thought otherwise. He always said, you can buy 4 pair of cheap shoes and always be wearing a pair of new shoes, compared to price of one pair of Nike's. Different strokes, for different folks i guess.

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Craig Knight
Power Wash Unlimited
www.powerwashunlimited.com

 

[Bruce]

I may be wrong but i think the only diference in the tuff and the rk21 is the fuel tank, the unloader, and the fuel filter and may the battery, cant see where that would cost $400.00 more but maybe i'm wrong. also the reason i run cat pumps is because i run alum. brightner through my pump at high pressure. a general would only last about 2 months where a cat will hold up about 18 months, but if you run downstream the general would probably do fine.
Bruce