Motor Blew Up Today

[rick77 14]

Well, the motor blew up today on my 4 gpm 3,000 psi direct drive power washer. It was bound to happen as this machine was a very low end so called commercial power washer.

I'll be ordering a belt drive machine tomorrow. I've been under the impression that CAT pumps are the best but what do I know.

The machine I'm looking at costs apx $60 bucks more outfitted with a CAT pump instead of a General pump. Is the CAT pump really better and worth the extra $$?

[chris francis 15]

Sorry to hear that you lost you motor my machine is same as yours cat pump with commercial honda motor direct drive. is your pump damaged also or just motor.

[Henry Bockman 14]

I've got an 11HP belt drive Honda engine if anyone wants it. I won't be needing it.

I prefer General Pumps over Cat any day!

[rick77 14]

I prefer General Pumps over Cat any day!

Any particular reason?

[rick77 14]

Sorry to hear that you lost you motor my machine is same as yours cat pump with commercial honda motor direct drive. is your pump damaged also or just motor.

I took the pump and drive shaft housing off of the motor and found out that the motor is locked down, not the pump.

I don't know if the pump is damaged or not because I can't test it without a motor to drive it. I do know that the pump is not locked down though.

[Henry Bockman 14]

Any particular reason?

The replacement parts for General Pumps are cheaper and easier to find. Also, in my experience, they just seem to run longer than CAT pumps. I know some guys prefer CAT over General pumps but most of the contractors I know also swear by General Pumps.

Every time I talk with other contractors about their favorite equipment three names are always mentioned more than any other.

Honda Engines, General Pumps and Becket Burners.

[rick77 14]

You'd think that the CAT should be better just going by price alone but higher price doesn't always guarantee a better product.

Maybe I'll go with the General pump. I don't know......I'll be ordering from Bob at Pressure Tek so I'll talk with him about the Cat vs. General pump.

[FullBlast 14]

I wouldn't give the extra buck for it.

General pumps for me. Cat loves living off their name, I'm not saying they are junk but I don't think they are better either.

[rick77 14]

A name is just a name. Endorsements from pro power washers speaks for itself. I'm gonna save a bit and get the machine with the General pump.

[Paul Kassander 26]

I agree with the above, Cat pumps are good but General is just as good.

[nlantz 14]

General Pump's

We have been running 2 per truck for over 8 year's with no major problems. Occasional valve replacement's but they take 20 min. We did have one a few years ago where the little oil checking window came off the back and the pump ran dry for as long as it could. It needed total replacement. But I think that was due to employee tampering.

We had one cat based portable that struggled if multiple machines were connected to 50gpm water outlets in parking garages. 5 4gpm gp's ran fine 4 gp's and 1 cat the cat struggles.

[kcpowerclean 14]

General Pump's

We have been running 2 per truck for over 8 year's with no major problems. Occasional valve replacement's but they take 20 min.

How do you know a valve needs replacing on a pump?

Please excuse my ignorance, don't know much about maintenance.

[Paul Kassander 26]

The hose will begin to jump or you will feel a vibration/pulsation in the line. This can be caused by debris also so check them before replacing, sometime they can last years.