Power Washers - PTO vs Petrol (2024)

One of the many many machines on the shopping list is a power washer.

Have hired a few petrol ones recently and the 3000psi one was the job.

looking online this evening and PTO washers are way cheaper than petrol ones (obviously, no engine)

4000psi for 750
http://www.donedeal.ie/otherfarmmachinery-for-sale/4000-psi-power-washers-for-sale/7525520

http://www.jebbtools.ie/sip-13-hp-4000-psi-honda-pressure-washer

How does the hassle of mounting/dismounting the PTO pump balance against the hassle of maintaining another engine?

JohnBoy said:

One of the many many machines on the shopping list is a power washer.

Have hired a few petrol ones recently and the 3000psi one was the job.

looking online this evening and PTO washers are way cheaper than petrol ones (obviously, no engine)

4000psi for 750
http://www.donedeal.ie/otherfarmmachinery-for-sale/4000-psi-power-washers-for-sale/7525520

http://www.jebbtools.ie/sip-13-hp-4000-psi-honda-pressure-washer

How does the hassle of mounting/dismounting the PTO pump balance against the hassle of maintaining another engine?

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I have a pto pump mounted on a chassis with a tank! I have pictures in another tread but I cant seem to upload them again! I find it handy anyways

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Username said:

Far higher flow/greater output from a pto washer, if a tractor is available to you, and given the lower cost, you get more bang for your buck.

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Not necessarily on the output.
We had a pto until earlier in the year, putting it on and off was a fair pain if you were washing stuff fairly regularly. Also if you want to wash a machine(mower/topper/spreader etc) you need 2 tractors free, one for the washer and one to move the machine about.

The pto one would do something like 12-15ltr/min and 540, we could have changed the nozzle and stuck it in 1000rpm and they'll do 20ltr/min at good pressure,

The petrol one we have on the other hand is 22ltr/min @2200psi I think, it's a serious took to wash stuff with, for sheds it's the only job, far quieter than the tractor and a lot easier to move about, 60ft hose length also helps a lot! Biggest problem we have is keeping water to it, a half inch pipe running off a good pump won't keep up!

if washing sheds or yards on occasion is the main job go for pto.
If washing down machines regularly a petrol is far handier as you don't need a second tractor.
Ive had a 5.5hp Honda for years and I find it perfect for my needs as any stronger would be harder on machinery and I rarely wash sheds or concrete.

Mine is set up all the time so its handy to wash fert spreader etc before taking it off.
Something I did recently was tap in to the main 1&1/4" pipe from the pump house and fit a 1" wash down hose which gives fair flow and power for washing off loose stuff.
Friend of mine did same but fitted a booster pump which is like a parlour wash down hose,great for filling sprayer too

Dratted said:

PTO for sheds and yards, petrol for everything else, much easier on machinery and much quicker. Hose pipe onto the side of the washer and away you go.

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I agree, and a Honda engine if given any servicing at all will go forever.
Electric can be handy too, I have a Kranzle 135 here and its a good washer.

how much is a diesel one these days? have a diesel one ~3000psi cant hold the lance with one hand

get one with a key start

If going for PTO look at landy washers,

http://www.landypressurewashers.com

They do one with a tank and all combined, seem like a good handy job.

Seem to be a handy setup but then again aren't cheap.

Just have a good electric one here but would like the higher pressure for washing out sheds

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JohnBoy said:

One of the many many machines on the shopping list is a power washer.

Have hired a few petrol ones recently and the 3000psi one was the job.

looking online this evening and PTO washers are way cheaper than petrol ones (obviously, no engine)

4000psi for 750
http://www.donedeal.ie/otherfarmmachinery-for-sale/4000-psi-power-washers-for-sale/7525520

http://www.jebbtools.ie/sip-13-hp-4000-psi-honda-pressure-washer

How does the hassle of mounting/dismounting the PTO pump balance against the hassle of maintaining another engine?

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i suppose you have to ask yourself the question, am i willing to put it on the tractor and save myself a good part of 600 quid while im at it.
i have a few washers here, but ive been meaning to get a pto one, just for the sheds, indeed i had done a bit of research and it was the best value i could find, clarkes too, and unless im mistaken, a hawk pump, which is a top class pump.
4000 psi isnt anything to be sniffed at with a turbo head, it ill strip paint.
spanner is right about the noise of the tractor, unless you have 1000pto, its going to be loud, near full tilt on the rev.
the petrol is dearer, but if it was to be my only washer i was buying, id strive for the petrol one tbh.
its dearer, but i think it makes more sense.
unless that is, we get back to that 600 quid again...

Thanks for the feedback folks, in summary pto for the big jobs, maybe a bit of a balls for the smaller stuff, maybe not ideal if its your only washer.

We have a 2kw electric Lavor for the smaller jobs anyway, and I've long had a notion of installing that semi permanently in the milking parlour for washing down machines. Think I might go pto for the big jobs so.

I have an axle and drawbar from a rotten cowbox too so an IBC with that and I'd be rightly setup

Pippa said:

Anyone using an electric power washer, or any other electric tool, with an extension reel please remember to unwind the reel fully. The heat generated in the extension cord can melt through the cover and cause a fatal electric shock especially as there is water involved. I think this was the cause of a fatal farm accident.

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more to the point make sure it is on a circuit breaker
Pto washer is ok if run on an old tractor but it is a very expensive way to be clocking up hours on a good tractor ,you would be cheaper buying a separate diesel washer

this guy would be worth a shout too
http://michaelwhitepumps.com/index.html

I have a long hose which was purchased for cleaning drains with the powerwasher, its a little more flexible than the standard powerwasher hose. We use it as an extension when powerwashing. Its a great job because you can leave the tractor outside, and don't need to be moving the tractor very often either while working.

Because its more flexible it is also seems to be less restrictive.

Dratted said:

Don't know what you lads are using it on that its noisy with high revs? We use it on a 70hp tractor and it will strip paint if you're not careful. That is with a turbo end though.

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Forgot to say we run it on tickover, amount of noise depends on the tractor [emoji14]