Electric power washer?

[XRs_Mostly]

I've been thinking about picking up one of those harbor freight electric power washers for a while, anyone have any experience with them, positive or negative before I pull the trigger? Talking something like this mostly just for getting the mud off the bikes.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1750-PSI-13-GPM-Electric-Pressure-Washer-63254.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMjgxNjg0NTIiLCJza3UiOiI2MzI1NCIsImlzIjoiNzkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk%0D%0AIjoiMTE5NzQifQ%3D%3D%0D%0A

[MikeDi]

i bought one from home depot. been through two handles in three years. about 40 bucks for a replacement
not sure if i'd by a cheap one. but is there a better one out there.
as far as electric, i really like it. not so much power to blow off paint or screw up seals.
don't have to maintain another gas engine is a bonus
i'd try a harbor freight for 75 bucks

got my money's worth for 100 bucks

[Tony]

When my current gas one lets go, I'm going back to electric. Trying to reduce the number of internal combustion engines in my life (maintenance). For washing dirt bikes, low/medium pressure is better anyway.

The last time I bought a H.F. one, I got the extended warranty and was glad for it. Right before it expired at the end of the first year, the washer expired too. Got a new one for $0. Regardless of the brand, they're all pretty much junk. I treat it like any other wear item and know that it will need to be replaced.

[XRs_Mostly]

Tony wrote:

When my current gas one lets go, I'm going back to electric. Trying to reduce the number of internal combustion engines in my life (maintenance). For washing dirt bikes, low/medium pressure is better anyway.

That's my thinking, one less oil to change and one less carb to succumb to **** gas but if most people are saying these things are practically disposable that's not exactly the way I want to go either.

[Tony]

XRs_Mostly wrote:

That's my thinking, one less oil to change and one less carb to succumb to **** gas but if most people are saying these things are practically disposable that's not exactly the way I want to go either.

I also had a Karcher from Home Depot. Got two seasons out of it for $100.

[slojo]

I've had an electric Karcher for close to 10 years. Did have to replace to handle/wand once.
For small jobs like cleaning dirt bikes the electric ones are fine and easy to use....IE no gas & oil.

One thing I've found that will kill any power washer is to leave them in an environment that will allow them to freeze, like an outside shed or your bike trailer.

[Rocketman]

slojo wrote:

I've had an electric Karcher for close to 10 years. Did have to replace to handle/wand once.
For small jobs like cleaning dirt bikes the electric ones are fine and easy to use....IE no gas & oil.

One thing I've found that will kill any power washer is to leave them in an environment that will allow them to freeze, like an outside shed or your bike trailer.

I run RV (pink non-toxic) antifreeze through mine before each winter. I have a gas model, so it has to stay outside.
another way to make them last a bit longer is to never turn them on until they have good water supply through them. If you spin it up dry, you wear the pump out faster.

[ktm4012]

I bought the cheap Harbor Freight one 2 years ago and so far no problems. I only use it when the bike is real muddy or I really want it clean.

[NYKTM]

I stopped using pressure washers and have stopped having to replace wheel bearings as well.


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[Burton]

+1 for the electric Karcher model, I'm on year 7 on my second one, got 10 years out of the first one. The fittings where the water hose screws on eventually strip out.

[R Rodrigue]

Delete

[XRs_Mostly]

Turns out, to nobody's great surprise, if you leave your power washer in the part of your garage that freezes over the winter, the residual water will freeze.

The power washer doesn't have to be reliable, just more reliable than the owner.

[T-Dub13]

Karchers are good machines. I grabbed a $100 Ryobi from HD and couldn't be happier. Agree with Mike that it's not too powerful, wont blow your numbers off and blow water past seals. 1600psi I think. Had a gas one and it was a p.i.t.a.

[Wheredugo?]

I have a 89$ 1800 PSI Sun Joe from Walmart. I’ve had many gas also and for the Dirtbike and boots etc this thing works great ! I’d give it a 4 out if 5 only because it’s made in China.... otherwise it works awesome and has just enough ass to get the cake led up stuff off with no issue. They also have them on amazon cheap if you don’t want to go to the store. I hear the Stanley electric 2000 psi are nice also.

[450exc115]

I've had my gas 5HP 2500 PSI home built for about 15 years now. One pump later and it is still going strong. I agree that the next one will be electric. I need my 9 year old to step up and start washing his own stuff and he can't start the gas one. LOL