Cheers mate. When I uploaded this a few months ago I was still in the process of putting the business together. Towards the end of last autumn I managed to do that, but the temps here in VA started to drop around that time. Instead of launching the business I held off for the spring, which is now around the corner. As of this week the business has officially launched - website, marketing etc. - and I am currently spending most of my time handing out hangars in my neighborhood. I plan to document my progress on this platform, so I appreciate the sub. I'll try and keep folks updated on my progress. All the best to your business as well. Warm Regards, OWL
As far as reliability Iv had two Honda clone predator engines on two self propelled lawn mowers for over 8 years that get used frequently and they both still start first crank with no loss of power or smoke
That jives with what I hear. They're decently reliable if taken care of etc. For context the unit from this video is still firing up on the second/third pull - sits for months between me using it, too. Can't complain really. I do use it exclusively for residential purposes now though, so for commercial work I'd probably opt for a true Honda or similar product instead.
For context I've had this unit (at the time of posting this comment) a couple weeks and it's been run very casually in that time. For long term impressions you should seek out other perspectives. That being said I have liked it in the short time I've owned it. If you're a homeowner I think the price-to-specs are compelling, so if you're looking to wash you car or house I think it should be under consideration. Personally though, if the unit is going to get sub 10hrs of run time per year - typical for a homeowner - I would probably opt for something with a Honda engine. You cant find a vastly superior pump in this price range, but you can opt for a more established, reliable Honda engine. For long-term mothballing I would want the security of a Honda engine's reliability. For commercial use I really like the HB. You get better specs at a competitive price, and if you opt for the warranty it makes the deal a lot better. You really cannot beat the ability to "trade it in" for a new one under the warranty terms - because you're going to run into issues at a client site, and youre going to be put in that "down tools" and scramble to the store scenario. You just have to treat it like an annual business expense - anticipate replacing it every 12 months. Anything longer than that is a bonus. I apply this logic to the larger 4gpm unit, too. In terms of quality I think you can find a better engine and a better pump elsewhere, but the price will increase. Significantly in some cases. That of course is the balance you have to strike. Overall without more specifics (what you're intending to use it for etc.) I would recommend it, under the provisions I outlined in the beginning. Cheers
you can use a cement/stone cleaner will look better clean faster we use 4 6 and 8 gpm machines but I make a living doing it..we use a nozzle chart to take the 4000 psi to 1500 psi..this is not a pro unit..for home use not pro use..we soft wash with a bleach soap mix.. as far a washing goes sometimes its not the pressure its the amount of water you use... water flow... my 8 gpm with a heater is 8500. a 8 gpm cold wash is about 4500 to 5500..ya the price..but we get what we pay for..any 1 starting a wash biz would need to buy a 4 gpm at 3500/ 4000 psi youll just be able to work fast ..do a better job...I have to say I started cleaning rugs with a rinse and vac rental...I m on my 4th truck mount..also note we all need to start someplace.. thanks for the video
Jay, Much obliged for the comment. For some backstory, I actually went to Harbor Freight to pickup their larger unit (4gpm). For most of the reasons you mention I was looking for that larger unit to kickstart my business. However, they only had one in stock and it was an open box that was... missing a head gasket 😂. So that was a dodged bullet. The only other unit they had in stock was the one I purchased (again and open box). I will absolutely look to a larger unit down the road, but I am starting out (sensibly) by keeping my startup costs reasonable. The smaller engine also is pretty efficient with gas, so my overhead will be lower. The sacrifice is performance of course, but I still consider the performance (from my initial impressions) satisfactory. The price to performance ratio just seems good value in my eyes... At least while my business is truly a 'small' business. All the best mate
Dan, Thanks for the comment mate. I'm pretty new to Harbor Freight. I'm aware that their products are typically from China, and therefore have hit and miss reliability. Depends on the exact product of course, but that appears to be the thirty thousand foot consensus on them - at least from what I can tell. I was honestly taken back by how minimal the quality control was for these open box returns. The fact a unit can be returned without a head gasket (and a hose btw) and it not get flagged before ending up back on the shelf for purchase is... Indefensible. If I had ended up purchasing that bigger unit before noticing the missing part at home, I would be bloody fuming tbh. So definitely a word to the wise to CHECK these open box items thoroughly before purchase. Still, the unit I purchased needed only a new wand to fix the issue it had. So $270 for the washer and a further $20 for a wand. Not too bad. For commercial use I can live with limited reliability. If I can sustain it for 12 months it will pay for itself easily and moreso. All the best mate.
