Best CHEAP pressure washer??

Get a free one from craigslist and fix it... Sometimes an impeller. Sometimes just o-rings. Sometimes just clean out the carb. Hey, you did say cheap.

Knowing this is an old topic brought back up... if you have a campbell hausfield pressure washer with a good engine, but with a pump that someone allowed to freeze and break... is it worth getting just a pump to put on there, or probably more money smart to just get a new whole washer?

If replacing just the pump, where would you source one?

It's cheaper to buy a pump, even an upgraded one, than to buy a new PW. Try HF.

Canoes deleted

In reply to Apexcarver:

Ebay is loaded with them.

Canoe!!!

Tom_Spangler said:

singleslammer wrote: So I am in the market for a cheap pressure washer, apparently. SWMBO says she wants one and since I mentioned that I wouldn't mind one for washing dirt bikes off at home, it is now my b-day present. Hers too though so it isn't a huge loss. Anyway. I was originally thinking that one of those cheap electric washers (under $250) but I have yet to find one that doesn't have 20 reviews saying how it didn't last a year before dying. This isn't acceptable. So I am setting a soft limit of $400 dollars and want to know who makes the best washer in the low price category. I have researched Campbell H, Karcher, and some others with very little success. What say the group mind??

I picked up a Homelite brand with a Honda engine for $300 at Home Depot a couple of years ago. I've used the hell out of it, so far so good. It's one of those tools where you never knew how many uses it would have until you have it.

I picked up the same model, but it was on sale for like 239 I believe. Been a good pressure washer. I've had it for 3 or 4 years now. The honda sohc engine starts up very good in the cold. I just wish it had a larger fuel tank

old_ said:

Look for a Honda engine and CAT pump. CAT pumps are superior to other offerings.

This. 

I used to own an equipment rental company.  I tried them all.  The brand I ended up with the most of was Simpson.  They had the best unloader valve for when you let go of the trigger.  Belt drive units will last longer, pump speed is lower and engine heat doesn't reach the pump.  Simpson was bought out by Alto in the early 2000's.

To compare apples to apples between pressure washers you multiply pressure x gals/min.  This gives you "cleaning units"  High pressure and low volume machines are easy to find but don't let the "3500psi" fool you if it is only moving 1.5 gpm.  The machine I kept when I sold the place is a 1996 SImpson Water Shotgun, 4000 psi, 4 gpm.  Still going strong. It sounds like overkill until you use it once and get the job done quick.  Of course it was $2800 back then...

I agree that it is not great. You know, most of the cheap ones don't have good quality. 

Buy a used gas powered one. Watch Craigslist too mine was $20 and had garden hose pressure "broken" when I got it. .03¢ of harbor freight o rings and some petroleum jelly and I have a pressure washer that was only used 5 times and works great now.

I do suggestion taking off the trigger section that stops water spray if you can live with it. Just let it spray as the machine runs. The trigger shut off cuts down on the life of the washer significantly.

But do add a garden hose on off valve leading into the washer. That way while not running you don't have to keep running back and forth to the house shut off.