I've broken yet another pressure washer!
Discussion
Mort7 said:
Have you got an AquaStop connector fitted on the connection from the hose to the pressure washer, which allows you to disconnect the hose without turning off the tap (like this sort of thing https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hozelock-AquaStop-Connect... If so, remove it.
Pressure washers relieve some of the internal pressure by allowing flow back into the hose. An AquaStop prevents this from happening, so the internal seals take the pressure, and will eventually burst. I had this happen in spectacular fashion with my last Karcher. I was using it at full pressure, released the trigger to stop the flow, and the washer exploded with a bang, and water started leaking from inside.
I think you'll find the instructions say not to use an AquaStop.
This is of interest, as I do use this sort of aquastops.i couldn't find it mentioned in the manual though? (from a skim read) Pressure washers relieve some of the internal pressure by allowing flow back into the hose. An AquaStop prevents this from happening, so the internal seals take the pressure, and will eventually burst. I had this happen in spectacular fashion with my last Karcher. I was using it at full pressure, released the trigger to stop the flow, and the washer exploded with a bang, and water started leaking from inside.
I think you'll find the instructions say not to use an AquaStop.
This is what an industrial pressure washer looks like, they are made by interpump:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Note the abundance of metal and decent sized motor. They are designed to work all day long.
I picked up a complete washer like this with the lance on a trolley for £85 - you just need to keep an eye on ebay once you know what a proper one looks like.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Note the abundance of metal and decent sized motor. They are designed to work all day long.
I picked up a complete washer like this with the lance on a trolley for £85 - you just need to keep an eye on ebay once you know what a proper one looks like.
Andeh1 said:
Mort7 said:
Have you got an AquaStop connector fitted on the connection from the hose to the pressure washer, which allows you to disconnect the hose without turning off the tap (like this sort of thing https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hozelock-AquaStop-Connect... If so, remove it.
Pressure washers relieve some of the internal pressure by allowing flow back into the hose. An AquaStop prevents this from happening, so the internal seals take the pressure, and will eventually burst. I had this happen in spectacular fashion with my last Karcher. I was using it at full pressure, released the trigger to stop the flow, and the washer exploded with a bang, and water started leaking from inside.
I think you'll find the instructions say not to use an AquaStop.
This is of interest, as I do use this sort of aquastops.i couldn't find it mentioned in the manual though? (from a skim read) Pressure washers relieve some of the internal pressure by allowing flow back into the hose. An AquaStop prevents this from happening, so the internal seals take the pressure, and will eventually burst. I had this happen in spectacular fashion with my last Karcher. I was using it at full pressure, released the trigger to stop the flow, and the washer exploded with a bang, and water started leaking from inside.
I think you'll find the instructions say not to use an AquaStop.
Absolutely no doubt that the AquaLock caused the issue, and I've had no problems since removing it (my current pressure washer is quite ancient now). It's possible that other manufacturers, or modern Karcher washers, compensate for back pressure in some way, but unless the instructions specifically state that an AquaLock can be used I wouldn't use one.
Thank you all for the valued input on this and it seems I'm far from alone in wearing these things out.
In answer to the issues raised and suggestions suggested;
1, I'd love a Kranzle but for the same reason I'd never drop a grand on Miele washing machine, I can't justify it although I'd probably end up paying the same in the long run. However no matter how good the machine, the hard water we have here will eventually see off anything, eventually with limescale, even (I'm convinced) when used cold.
2, Aquastop or the simple flow stop widget in the hozlok fittings, yes learned that years ago, probably saw off one of the karchers, so my hoses are free of them.
3, Those petrol driven £160 e-bay jobbies look like a nice idea but knowing my luck...
4, An ex trade / industrial duty machine second hand, if bought round here would likely to be limescaled up to the point or near death. But a good idea all the same.
Another game changer for me in recent years, thanks to PH has been using the "Wet and forget" / "Proclean" type stuff, it really is amazing stuff but won't stop silt and general dirt on the patio / drive. What it does mean though is that the annual pressure washing marathon instead of being an almost full weekend can be done in a day.
I'm leaning towards another cheapish Nilfisk thing that I will duly kill off in a short period of time!
In answer to the issues raised and suggestions suggested;
1, I'd love a Kranzle but for the same reason I'd never drop a grand on Miele washing machine, I can't justify it although I'd probably end up paying the same in the long run. However no matter how good the machine, the hard water we have here will eventually see off anything, eventually with limescale, even (I'm convinced) when used cold.
2, Aquastop or the simple flow stop widget in the hozlok fittings, yes learned that years ago, probably saw off one of the karchers, so my hoses are free of them.
3, Those petrol driven £160 e-bay jobbies look like a nice idea but knowing my luck...
4, An ex trade / industrial duty machine second hand, if bought round here would likely to be limescaled up to the point or near death. But a good idea all the same.
Another game changer for me in recent years, thanks to PH has been using the "Wet and forget" / "Proclean" type stuff, it really is amazing stuff but won't stop silt and general dirt on the patio / drive. What it does mean though is that the annual pressure washing marathon instead of being an almost full weekend can be done in a day.
I'm leaning towards another cheapish Nilfisk thing that I will duly kill off in a short period of time!
I Buy pressure washers for a living for a large well known company. (not saying who!)
The cost has been sucked out of most of the machines on the market, Nilfisk, Karcher etc, sometimes the cost wasn't ever there (Titan, Macallister) you need to look at the working pressure (not max, anything but max!) and flow of the machines, higher flow means more cleaning as does higher pressure, often with budget machines you sacrifice one for the other. Don't touch anything under about £200 as it will be so cheap inside you won't believe it!
Karcher are essentially junk (weren't always) with plastic pump heads on most machines, brass on others but all of the domestic machines are pretty much only good for 50-60 hours of use before they expire (but think about how long you wash for, it would still be years to an occasional domestic user) Their industrial stuff is good but with price tags to match!
My new machine is supposed to be good for 200 hours before a rebuild is needed then probably another 200 again. Should be around the cost of a Karcher K4 but more like a K5 in capabilities. I wont say who the machine is for and it won't arrive until the end of May (almost missed the season, great!) but if you want to know about it, PM me.
Otherwise a used industrial machine would make a very good buy, readily available spares and a well built machine in the first place!
The cost has been sucked out of most of the machines on the market, Nilfisk, Karcher etc, sometimes the cost wasn't ever there (Titan, Macallister) you need to look at the working pressure (not max, anything but max!) and flow of the machines, higher flow means more cleaning as does higher pressure, often with budget machines you sacrifice one for the other. Don't touch anything under about £200 as it will be so cheap inside you won't believe it!
Karcher are essentially junk (weren't always) with plastic pump heads on most machines, brass on others but all of the domestic machines are pretty much only good for 50-60 hours of use before they expire (but think about how long you wash for, it would still be years to an occasional domestic user) Their industrial stuff is good but with price tags to match!
My new machine is supposed to be good for 200 hours before a rebuild is needed then probably another 200 again. Should be around the cost of a Karcher K4 but more like a K5 in capabilities. I wont say who the machine is for and it won't arrive until the end of May (almost missed the season, great!) but if you want to know about it, PM me.
Otherwise a used industrial machine would make a very good buy, readily available spares and a well built machine in the first place!
I've gone for another cheapo Nilfisk but have noted that they have a three year manufacturers guarantee. That'll teach me to keep the receipts and register the new one when it comes as the one that has just gone to the dump probably wasn't quite three years old!
Apart from the annual patio marathon, they get little use, mainly the cars and mountain bike once every few weeks. My man maths coudln't justify spending more. Besides this year the major white goods acquisition is going to be about £700 on a portable aircon unit, and I'm sure that will provide an altogether different world of expensive pain.
Apart from the annual patio marathon, they get little use, mainly the cars and mountain bike once every few weeks. My man maths coudln't justify spending more. Besides this year the major white goods acquisition is going to be about £700 on a portable aircon unit, and I'm sure that will provide an altogether different world of expensive pain.
Mort7 said:
Interesting. Any feedback on Stihl?
Usually good machines, however they suffer from the same thing all manufacturers have, envy! They see cheapo machine selling huge numbers so they introduce one, which to be competitive has to be of similar quality to the parkside machine or tesco special and thus they end up selling poor machines and tainting their name.
Don't waste money on a K2 by Karcher as it is no better than a dozen or so budget offerings! The K7 on the other hand is a different beast altogether, better components (for now) and longer life.
See it as a yearly price for cleaning, you may get 10 years out of a £500 machine (50 a year) or you might get two out of a £100 machine (50 a year!) either way your costs per year are the same, no cheap machine will ever last for 10 years unless it never gets used or exposed to the cold!
colin_p said:
Bought my first one around about 1996 and since then I've broken / worn out a few
x4 Karchers (Yes 4!)
x1 Homelite (this lasted a good ten years and by far the best)
x1 Nilfisk (the most recent and the defacto make talked about on here, lasted about two years)
What model/spec are you buying? Sounds like you are using cheap (£30-75) units when you need a semi-pro spec for the amount of use.x4 Karchers (Yes 4!)
x1 Homelite (this lasted a good ten years and by far the best)
x1 Nilfisk (the most recent and the defacto make talked about on here, lasted about two years)
When I spoke to Barlows four years ago they said the C125 was the smallest you could get proper spares for, and the N140 the defacto spec and what they use for all their hire washers.
Give them a bell and post back what you know. https://jbarlows.co.uk/
Daniel
freecar said:
Mort7 said:
Interesting. Any feedback on Stihl?
Usually good machines, however they suffer from the same thing all manufacturers have, envy! They see cheapo machine selling huge numbers so they introduce one, which to be competitive has to be of similar quality to the parkside machine or tesco special and thus they end up selling poor machines and tainting their name.
Don't waste money on a K2 by Karcher as it is no better than a dozen or so budget offerings! The K7 on the other hand is a different beast altogether, better components (for now) and longer life.
See it as a yearly price for cleaning, you may get 10 years out of a £500 machine (50 a year) or you might get two out of a £100 machine (50 a year!) either way your costs per year are the same, no cheap machine will ever last for 10 years unless it never gets used or exposed to the cold!
freecar said:
Don't waste money on a K2 by Karcher as it is no better than a dozen or so budget offerings! The K7 on the other hand is a different beast altogether, better components (for now) and longer life.
See it as a yearly price for cleaning, you may get 10 years out of a £500 machine (50 a year) or you might get two out of a £100 machine (50 a year!) either way your costs per year are the same...
This in spades. Karcher or Nilfisk, the right machine will last a long time.See it as a yearly price for cleaning, you may get 10 years out of a £500 machine (50 a year) or you might get two out of a £100 machine (50 a year!) either way your costs per year are the same...
I am still using the Karcher my grandad bought 20 years ago even after it was dropped 15ft onto concrete everything but the case is in perfect order. Then have the Nilfisk for paving as it has the patio head which reduces mess a mile!
But cheap buy twice, and shaft the environment in the same breath.
A £150 pressure washer is totally different from a £50 one.
If you are using a cheap one, avoid running it in short bursts. The starting/stopping is what kills them.
Daniel
I have a K7 with 5 year warranty. It is nearly a year old and ive already had it swapped out once when the pump went. I wouldnt buy another but I use it a fair bit and at least I know I have 5 year hassle free use. I bought a 20m extension cable to add on so good for the cars etc. Also had another issue where the varilance would not go on one setting so they sent me a new one. Friend of a friend works for their HQ and said they are built like Flymo's now. Cheap tat. If you can get one with a 5 year warranty then maybe worth it. Also dont pay full price. The refurb outlet on their website sometimes has some good deals.
Mort7 said:
Interesting. Any feedback on Stihl?
Just looking at their website, and in appearance they are very similar to some of the Nilfisk ones, but in orange and black rather than blue. I assume they both come from the same factory in China.I have an 30+ year old KEW machine which was made in Denmark. KEW was one of the brands folded in to Nilfisk.
In case anyone is interested, Costco have an offer on the Bosch Aquatak 140, with patio cleaner head, for £185.98 inc (£35 off) for the first two weeks of April.
This one:- https://www.costco.co.uk/Garden-Sheds-Patio/Garden...
This one:- https://www.costco.co.uk/Garden-Sheds-Patio/Garden...
Bungleaio said:
colin_p said:
Do they let Joe Public in to buy stuff?
They do if you meet their criteria:Costco offers Individual Membership to current or retired employees of select employment groups or professions.
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You may qualify as a current or retired employee of one of the many UK or USA Gold Companies. Please contact either Central Membership on 01923 830477 or your local warehouse to confirm whether the company you currently work for or have retired from is a registered Gold Card Company.
https://www.costco.co.uk/membership-individual-req...
https://www.costco.co.uk/how-it-works
RSVR101 said:
Which Nilfisk did you have? I just had the c135 delivered today which has the induction motor, currently in a deal with 42%off on amazon. I put it together this evening, the main unit is very solid and bloody heavy so it must have quite a decent motor inside. I think it’s an aluminium
Motor?
I've got a nilfisk C120 and the problem i've encountered is not the motor but whatever valve or switch tells the motor to turn off when you release the trigger. I've had two fail in the same way. Motor?
budgie smuggler said:
I've got a nilfisk C120 and the problem i've encountered is not the motor but whatever valve or switch tells the motor to turn off when you release the trigger. I've had two fail in the same way.
Yes, its the same as what failed on my Nilfisk, which resulted in a free replacement under warranty, requiring a trip to Barlows in Machester where I got the advice I posted above, both on the minimum spec to get spares (which mine fell below, hence the whole unit was replaced) and on avoiding starting and stopping.It is mad the the whole unit is replaced when the pressure switch fails, and that that they appear to be such high failure parts.
If buying again I would certainly ensure I spent enough to get one with spares available for the switch, if only on environmental ground. Plus a nicer more powerful machine to use.
Daniel
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