Chad 14 Report post Posted June 9, 2004 which is better? To me they both seem to do the same job. I currently have neither, and am wonder which one I should get. Any and all comments, pros and cons for each, etc would be greatly appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirtgun 122 Report post Posted June 9, 2004 I would get the Xjet first,it will pull chemicals at whatever the gpm's of your machine are.They both have there place,but for housewashes I would invest in the Xjet beofre a shur-flo.Remember with an Xjet you can apply and rinse with it.The shur-flo give you more equipment to move around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howard 50 Report post Posted June 9, 2004 I have the x-jet and wouldn't give it up for nothing. It is really a time saver washing houses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul B. 523 Report post Posted June 9, 2004 It should not be an either or question as both have their place as equipment is concerned. There are things that the Shurflo will do that the X-Jet can't and vice versa. Just a couple of examples: The Shurflo can apply chemicals at full strength, where the X-Jet can't. The X-Jet can shoot chemicals 30 ft into the air where the Shurflo can't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyanH 14 Report post Posted June 9, 2004 How does the Shurflo handle strong/caustic chemicals over time? Is it okay to pump something like acid or bleach (full strength) through the pump for extended periods of time (3+ hours) if fresh water is run through afterwards? Replacement parts or easy serviceability? I would like to put together a shur-flo setup....thinking of the long-term problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firedkm 14 Report post Posted June 9, 2004 Ryan, Just make sure you flush out the pump after each use. I really mean after each use. I would not wait until I got home at the end of the day. There are replacement parts for these pump and if your not mechanically challenge it's fairly easy to do the repairs on them. If I had to choose wich one to buy first, it would be the X-jet and then the surflo setup. They both have there places in our toolboxes and both have pros and cons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted June 10, 2004 I use the M-5 for house washing Shur flo for applying wood restoration chems each has its use and serves the purpose well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bill3752 14 Report post Posted June 10, 2004 Ryan, regarding corrosion, pick a pump without a screw in the path of the fluid, and use seals appropriate for the material being pumped - EPDM, but more probably viton. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RyanH 14 Report post Posted June 10, 2004 That puts me on the right path. Thanks, Bill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Everett Abrams 501 Report post Posted June 10, 2004 The best advice is to always carry an extra pump in your arsenal. Easy to change when you need to. If you do any volume you will change them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aplus 525 Report post Posted June 11, 2004 Everett is absolutely correct. I carry a spare pump in the trailer, and I even have a spare in the garage. In my experience, the pressure switch is what typically fails. I've also found it best to solder all exterior wire connections, then encase them in shrink tubing. Corrosion can be your worst enemy. As far as pumping chems is concerned, I have put many different chems thru my pump, and of course follow up afterward with fresh water for a rinse. In three years, I'm happy to report very good results with my sureflow setup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 533 Report post Posted June 11, 2004 I have never used anything but a Shur-Flo for applying my chemicals and always, ALWAYS run several gallons of water though when done. X-Jet for my purpose would be over kill but someday would like to see one in action. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul B. 523 Report post Posted June 11, 2004 I have some Shurflo pumps that have been running over 3 years. Had two that I thought were dead but when I took them apart, everything was in good shape. There was some corrosion on the external switch that was causing the problems. Reassembly is a bit of a trick and it helps to have the right tools to hold the springs down while you are replacing the cover. Other than that, (IMHO) Shurflo pumps with Viton seals are the only way to go for acids and high alkalyn solutions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNTPW 14 Report post Posted June 15, 2004 I am gettting a Shurflo. What gpm and psi is best. I will be using it for mostly wood and roof cleanings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
STAN 14 Report post Posted June 16, 2004 I use the X-jet for house and the shurflow for most everything else. The exception being decks - I use the one that is fastest for the situation and that is considering what floor the deck is on and the type of landscaping around the deck.:usa: Bruce Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CLASSICPW 14 Report post Posted June 16, 2004 I had a job a few days ago that was 2,240 linear ft of picket fence. Not fun. It was grayed with some tough mold spots under the trees. I had my helper pumping on citralic and it was working fine, but the dark green mold spots weren't budging. On a whim I went to the truck and pulled out a half bucket of house wash with the x-jet still attached, snapped it on and shot about 16 ft of fence. Instantly the fence brightened up and the pump spray labor was eliminated. My helper was no longer needed to spray the fence ahead of me thus shaving about 3-4 hrs off the job. Thanks again x-jet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aplus 525 Report post Posted June 17, 2004 I use 60psi at 1.4gpm for applying deck chems. Works well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNTPW 14 Report post Posted June 17, 2004 Thanks Tony Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted June 18, 2004 Classic: What are you using in your housewash mix? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Celeste 341 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 We have an x-jet which is wonderful for the high houses we get. We also have a dual electric pump setup (Cobra JobBoss which I think is along the Flojet type) that has its own purposes. When there are two doing brick, pump system is outstanding....one applying acid & one washing right behind. We run a minimum of 5 gallons clean water immediately after every job (on the site, not after we get home). We're thinking about spraying stain with that as well....but that's still in the thinking stages, no practical testing yet. The x-jet is an investment you will not regret at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted September 21, 2004 The x-jet is an investment you will not regret at all. The only regret will be that you waited so long to get one! I used to be a skeptic, until I started using it. I'd be lost without it now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the_GUNN_man 14 Report post Posted September 23, 2004 I use the Shur flo to spray chems on the house and have my employee right behind me rinsing it off with an X-Jet. One thing I have stopped doing is pre wetting. I have done that all year and it comes out fine. I never leave anything on the hose long enough. That is for vinyl only. I use a strong house wash let it set for maybe 2 minutes and rinse off. Been finishing houses in under 90 minutes. The biggest hassles are the gutters. They take up most of my time. About the pre wet thing I do do that when doing most of everything else. Just not with vinyl houses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanDiesel99 14 Report post Posted September 23, 2004 I am debating on how I am going to setup my roof cleaning pump/setup. Right now I use the x-jet for the roofs I do, but its nothing but a pain. It gets the job done but it can't draw the chemical up to the roof from the ground, so I have to take 5 gallon bucket up on the roof(not fun). Then I have an extra hose to work with while on the roof(not fun). Then everything gets a fine mist of sodium hydroxide on it(not good). I have not yet experimented with the shurflo pumps but I have heard they have a problem pushing the chemical great distances(150-200ft) without losing a lot of flow. I need at least 2-3 gallons per minute at the peak of a roof. The problem is I can't really get that flow rate without using something like a roller pump with a gas engine setup. The problem with that is, once your up on the roof you don't want to get back down for any reason(such as turning off the extra gas engine). Plus the extra maintainence and worry involved with another engine. One idea I had, was using an electric motor/roller pump that I could plug into the polarized outlet on my skid unit. That way once I climb up on the roof I can use my remote to start the pw'r then the roller pump is ready to roll. Since its an electric motor there is little/no maintainence and it won't have to be shut down after I apply the chem. My problem is that I know very little about electrical applications. What would be compatible and what wouldn't. How the roller pump and motor would act when not in use, what kind of switches(pressure/flow) the roller pump has. If this setup would even work or not. Any helping hints would be appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dale 16 Report post Posted September 23, 2004 Just wondering why you need 150-200 ft of chem line if you can reach it with a x jet which only shoots about 30-40 ft? I use a 1.6 gal/100 psi for whatever and it has no problem pushing what seems like full pressure thru 100 ft. of 3/8 hose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CCPC 26 Report post Posted September 23, 2004 Dale, is your shurflo chem source on your rig or on a cart? the reason I ask is because 100ft doesnt seem like it would be enough chem line to reach all areas of the roof on some houses unless you were toting a cart around the perimeter of the house. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
