CLASSICPW 14 Report post Posted February 3, 2006 After 3 1/2 yrs I'm FINALLY stepping up. I'm purchasing a diesel F250 Saturday and i'm looking for a quality hot water skid. I want it to be diesel fired stainless, belt drive and about 4000 psi and 5 gpm. Anybody got any good websites? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry B 55 Report post Posted February 3, 2006 I am currently looking at a M-T-M (mighty M). It has a 25.hp Kohler, 5.6 gpm, 3600psi General, w/2500 watt generator. I got them down to $5035.00 for it. Water cannon (http://www.hotsuperskid.com/default.aspx ) has a decent looking skid for $4199.00 as well. I also saw this listed on ebay. The guy originally had a buy it now of $3000.00 but that is gone now that the bidding started. You might contact him and offer some money to end it? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4437134178&ss PageName=STRK:MEWA:IT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted February 3, 2006 After 3 1/2 yrs I'm FINALLY stepping up. I'm purchasing a diesel F250 Saturday and i'm looking for a quality hot water skid. I want it to be diesel fired stainless, belt drive and about 4000 psi and 5 gpm. Anybody got any good websites? Pressure-Pro also makes a heck of a nice 8gpm machine for not a lot more than the price of the 5.6gpm machine. You want the entire machine to be stainless? If so, that's gonna be expensive! Don Phelps sells the PressurePro line. See what kind of price he can work up for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrod 22 Report post Posted February 3, 2006 I second what Mike said. Go with an 8 gpm. - It's worth it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted February 3, 2006 I second what Mike said. Go with an 8 gpm. - It's worth it! Meant to put this in my original post... The only reasons I wouldn't go with an 8gpm machine is if you can't run off a tank for some reason, or if your water supply at a good portion of your jobs is extremely low. Nothing more aggrivating than having to stop and wait for the tank to fill up a bit so you can continue washing. The last reason I can think of is if you have serious drainage problems at a lot of your jobs... Other than those three reasons, I can't think of any reason not to go with a higher gpm machine...Yes, it costs more, but not a huge amount more, and the increased efficiency will more than make up the difference in the cost of the machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ken wiggins 14 Report post Posted February 3, 2006 Go to www.1800333wash.com. Look at the skid units. I'm thinking seriously about the 5.6 or the 8. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted February 3, 2006 Hydrotek You won't regret it. Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atlantic Power Washing 14 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 Meant to put this in my original post...The only reasons I wouldn't go with an 8gpm machine is if you can't run off a tank for some reason, or if your water supply at a good portion of your jobs is extremely low. Nothing more aggrivating than having to stop and wait for the tank to fill up a bit so you can continue washing. The last reason I can think of is if you have serious drainage problems at a lot of your jobs... Other than those three reasons, I can't think of any reason not to go with a higher gpm machine...Yes, it costs more, but not a huge amount more, and the increased efficiency will more than make up the difference in the cost of the machine. On jobs where the water supply is low, all you have to do is go down to a smaller tip size and that will cut you flow down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wesley 15 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 On jobs where the water supply is low, all you have to do is go down to a smaller tip size and that will cut you flow down.__________________ Tom Work smarter not harder... That would totally defeat the purpose of a 8gpm machine! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry B 55 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 smaller tips= higher psi, not lower gpm. Lower gpm by throttling the machine down Granted you can see a small increase in gpm when the psi is lowered but not much, there is only so much water a positive displacement pump can physically move. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 On jobs where the water supply is low, all you have to do is go down to a smaller tip size and that will cut you flow down. Ummm....no, it won't. The flow stays the same, unless you throttle down the motor. Throttling down the motor isn't a good idea. In fact, many newer pressure washers don't even have a throttle control. Mine doesn't. At full rpms, the pump puts out whatever volume of water it is designed to put out. Making the nozzle smaller won't change that. You COULD turn down the unloader, if you have a pressure type unloader. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 smaller tips= higher psi, not lower gpm. Lower gpm by throttling the machine downGranted you can see a small increase in gpm when the psi is lowered but not much, there is only so much water a positive displacement pump can physically move. How is the volume going to change simply by lowering the psi (with a tip)? The pump puts out what it puts out, assuming rpms stay the same. My understanding is that lowering the throttle speed on the motor isn't good for the motor. They're air cooled, and designed to run full throttle. Better to turn down the unloader, if you're so equipped. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doug T 19 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 My understanding is: If you make your tip smaller the psi will increase. If your unloader is set correctly, this increase if pressure will make the unloader bypass some water. The pump is still pumping "X" amount, but only "W" is coming out the tip(s). Thus you are really using less water and pumping the same. But I agree, defeats the purpose of getting an 8gpm machine Doug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John T 744 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 What I do with my Powerwasher to lower the GPM since its 11 gpm is to lower the throttle spead but My Powerwasher is differnet then most since it has its own radiator. When there is no hook up for water when we do commercial and there is only one guy cleaning such as myself or my worker this is when we lower the throttle cause even though I can hold 700gal of water in my truck you can go thru it extremely fast at 11gpm. My engine is similiar to a car engine and if you don't have to run it full tilt then there's no hurting it by lowering the throttle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 My understanding is: If you make your tip smaller the psi will increase. If your unloader is set correctly, this increase if pressure will make the unloader bypass some water. The pump is still pumping "X" amount, but only "W" is coming out the tip(s). Thus you are really using less water and pumping the same. But I agree, defeats the purpose of getting an 8gpm machine Doug I'm not sure with a pressure unloader, but with a flow unloader, it's either in bypass or it isn't in bypass. Depending on how much smaller a tip you're trying to use, if the unloader isn't set correctly, you run the risk of overloading your pump, fittings, and hoses! Something is going to give way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FullBlast 14 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 My understanding is: If you make your tip smaller the psi will increase. If your unloader is set correctly, this increase if pressure will make the unloader bypass some water. The pump is still pumping "X" amount, but only "W" is coming out the tip(s). Thus you are really using less water and pumping the same.But I agree, defeats the purpose of getting an 8gpm machine Doug This is true and it is NOT good for the unloader to bypass just a lil, it wears away at the lil ball in there and soon you won't be getting full pressure anytime. I have my bypass plumbed returning to my tank and you can see when it bypasses a lil. If we think a pump is getting down on pressure first check the pressure and that is good check the bypass and you can tell real fast if a unloader is junk. I don't think throtling the motor back would hurt it but I don't know that, but that is what we some. Lets ay you have a 7 gpm pump and you get a job that can't quit keep up with water take and throtle the motor back a lil and put 6 gpm nozzel in just make sure that it is not bypassing any and you will save 1 gpm. Done and do it!! I have three 7gpm pumps on my one trailer =21 gpm trust me we try the well out!! I carry a stream pump along just in case... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOPER 14 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 HydrotekYou won't regret it. Beth I'll second that. I have had a couple of different brand skids and bought a new Hydrotek back in the summer. To me it is the Cadillac of PWs. Its got the looks and the performance to back it up. I just bought a used one the other day that is 15 years old and it still runs like a new one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Russ Johnson 141 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 An 8 gpm machine with a regulating unloader designed for 2 gun operation DOES decrease flow out the gun by reducing nozzle size. The unloader is made to run in partial bypass...so...if you set the unloader for 3,000 psi operating pressure, with a #9 nozzle, all 8 gpm's are coming through. Use a #4.5, and you have 4 gpm @ 3,000 psi at the gun. A hot water machine should never be "throttled back" because: A) As was mentioned, the engine needs the air flow for cooling. B) The engine's charging system won't make enough juice to keep the battery up on a 12 volt burner system. C) With a 120 volt system, the generator requires proper rpm's to make 110 - 126 volts at 58 - 62 Hz. So...with a regulating unloader and a thermostat, you can vary the flow at full pressure with a tip change. PS...My vote is for Hydro Tek, too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerG 14 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 Check www.pitchwitch.com Glen sales skids also. Roger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jarrod 22 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 Russ is right. BTW - I have a Hydrotec 8 gpm machine. It's a good unit - I just wish it came with a Honda - not a Kohler (Kohler engines SUCK!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted February 4, 2006 To me it is the Cadillac of PWs. Don't tell the Landa guys!! :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dfox99 14 Report post Posted February 7, 2006 For less than twice the amount that Larry B mentioned for a Mighty M, a complete rig in an enclosed trailer is for sale on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7587964303&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting or item 7587964303 if that you have trouble with the link. FYI, it is my rig. Doug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted February 7, 2006 For less than twice the amount that Larry B mentioned for a Mighty M, a complete rig in an enclosed trailer is for sale on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7587964303&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohostingor item 7587964303 if that you have trouble with the link. FYI, it is my rig. Doug You getting out, Doug, or just upgrading? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
