Pressure Washers

[OutInTheShed]

audi321 said:

Hi all, I'm on the lookout for a half decent pw.

Contrary to what I thought, there doesn't seem to be a correlation between flow and pressure. For example this one, has a flow of 12l a min but only pressure of 100 bar. Whereas this one, only has a flow of 8.5l a min, but has a pressure of 180 bar.

Should I be looking at pressure or litres/min? I see from other threads that Nilfisk are recommended, but are there other brands I should consider?

Thanks in advance all.

There should be an inverse correlation perhaps, because pressure x volume rate = power?

[snotrag]

My trusty Nilfisk has finally givden up after (I think) 13 years.

I've had to service/rebuild the unloader vavle once and changed the oil in the compressor.

I'll be buyng another Nilfisk I think, although I am tempted with the higher powered Worx HydroShot as taking it with me when biking would be super useful. Not that powerful but I'm not convnced I need it, its only for car and bike washing,.

[FMOB]

OldPal said:

FMOB said:

If you are washing driveways all day everyday then absolutely but if directing that towards a car you should pre-book the bodyshop to repair the damage.

Looks like it’s got adjustable pressure , the little black handle with the blue lid on the left side of it controls it. Same as my electric one

The spec sheet doesn't say it adjustable but still £2300 (2-3x the price of a decent Kranzle) and weighs 70kg.

[OldPal]

FMOB said:

The spec sheet doesn't say it adjustable but still £2300 (2-3x the price of a decent Kranzle) and weighs 70kg.

You can just make out the blue arrows on top for the adjustable pressure. Bit pricey at 2k mind but the poster who suggested it picked his up for relative buttons.

[Condi]

The Karcher HD range is very good. Still 13amp but is their "heavy duty"/professional models. Much more robust than the cheaper domestic models.

[blueg33]

After 15 plus years of reliable service the pump in my cheapy (£98) Nilfisk seized up.

I bought its direct replacement a Nilfisk Titan Xtra circa £140 with quite a few attachments although I already had them. The new machine was not great, poor pressure, stupid design hose reel which my old machine didn't have. It has the same specs as my old machine but was definitely worse, not enough pressure to make my foam cannon work. Very disappointing as I have praised my old Nilfisk many times on here. I sent it back.

Yesterday my new AVA Easy P50 arrived. I haven't tried it yet but it seems well made, I like the 10 year warranty and in particular I like the 12m pressure hose on a reel that allows you to wind it up with the hose still attached (unlike the Nilfisk). It looks like a thoughtful design, the handle folds away and the nozzles say in place on the holder when they do, the lance is clever (but a tad heavy) and you get a stubby gun which is great for car cleaning. Its bigger than I thought, certainly bigger than the Nilfisk, but it is very stable.

£189 from B&Q is good value, and with an £8 adaptor from Amazon all of my Nilfisk accessories will fit.



Edit to add

I have now used it. It’s a revelation. Way easier to use than the nilfisk was, very stable, stubby gun much easier for car washing and the vario nozzle is brilliant. Despite slightly lower flow rate on the stats it puts out much more water than both my previous pw’s

Edited by blueg33 on Friday 24th May 04:08

[fido]

smifffymoto said:

Kranzle but they carry a premium.

I paid about £300 for my Kranzle 8 years ago. It has been serviced once and is still like new (and very quiet) despite regular use.

[CammyN]

My first pressure was a diesel powered job that was bought at a garage auction, moved it around on a small trolley. It even heated the water.

Trouble was that it was meant for the underside of commercial vehicles and could dent the panels of a car.

I now have a very old karcher 411A and it does all I need.

[Mr Squarekins]

Buying a lonnnnng, proper after market hose for the lance transforms any pressure washer experience too imho.

[a340driver]

blueg33 said:

After 15 plus years of reliable service the pump in my cheapy (£98) Nilfisk seized up.

I bought its direct replacement a Nilfisk Titan Xtra circa £140 with quite a few attachments although I already had them. The new machine was not great, poor pressure, stupid design hose reel which my old machine didn't have. It has the same specs as my old machine but was definitely worse, not enough pressure to make my foam cannon work. Very disappointing as I have praised my old Nilfisk many times on here. I sent it back.

Yesterday my new AVA Easy P50 arrived. I haven't tried it yet but it seems well made, I like the 10 year warranty and in particular I like the 12m pressure hose on a reel that allows you to wind it up with the hose still attached (unlike the Nilfisk). It looks like a thoughtful design, the handle folds away and the nozzles say in place on the holder when they do, the lance is clever (but a tad heavy) and you get a stubby gun which is great for car cleaning. Its bigger than I thought, certainly bigger than the Nilfisk, but it is very stable.

£189 from B&Q is good value, and with an £8 adaptor from Amazon all of my Nilfisk accessories will fit.

That looks good. I had a Karscher which lasted a couple of years. Replaced by a basic Nilfisk which is much lighter and still going after 6 years I think. When the inevitable plastic bits break I'll look up this thread.