[nathankaye]

Started doing pressure washing a short while ago. Mostly to target my existing customers, whos drives are relatively smaller than one on photo. So im quite happy with my 6.5hp 3000psi 200bar 8lpm machine and addition of 15" surface cleaner. However on this job i would sooner have a higher litre per minute pump. But my knowledge on this is virtually non existant. Im wondering if i would simply be able to change the pump to a cat or something?? And would i be reliant on pump to suck water from a buffer tank as well, or is that pendant upon the engine as well??

[CleanClear]

Started doing pressure washing a short while ago. Mostly to target my existing customers, whos drives are relatively smaller than one on photo. So im quite happy with my 6.5hp 3000psi 200bar 8lpm machine and addition of 15" surface cleaner. However on this job i would sooner have a higher litre per minute pump. But my knowledge on this is virtually non existant. Im wondering if i would simply be able to change the pump to a cat or something?? And would i be reliant on pump to suck water from a buffer tank as well, or is that pendant upon the engine as well??

Nathan you can put whatever pump you like on it as long as it fits. Wether a pump sucks or doesn't is down to the pump not the engine. Nearly all reputable pumps suck, and as most taps don't produce anything near 10 LPM if you get a pump that quick you'll need to run off a buffer tank because a tap won't supply it quick enough.Your sticking point is your engine, the more powerfull pump you want then you'll need a bigger horsepower to run it. You can probably fit a higher flow pump on it, it will come with a cost in terms of pressure. Some people might tell you pressure is not the be all and end all anyway. I'll be suprised if you can run a pump that runs more than 11 LPM off a 6.5 HP engine. But i'll stand to be corrected.
  You're probably easier going for a higher spec machine.

[Smurf]

Can I ask how long that job took you to do with that washer as must have felt like forever to do?

I know from first hand experience what you must have felt like as I've tried when I first started out taking on largers job with a low spec 10 lpm direct feed washer. It did not take me long to realise the washer I was using was simply not up to the job. Even when doing small jobs took forever especially with poor tap pressure which really use to do my head in.  It use to take even longer when doing weed infested filthy block pavers even usin a turbo nozzle so was a case of getting a better washer in the end.

[nathankaye]

Can I ask how long that job took you to do with that washer as must have felt like forever to do?

I know from first hand experience what you must have felt like as I've tried when I first started out taking on largers job with a low spec 10 lpm direct feed washer. It did not take me long to realise the washer I was using was simply not up to the job. Even when doing small jobs took forever especially with poor tap pressure which really use to do my head in.  It use to take even longer when doing weed infested filthy block pavers even usin a turbo nozzle so was a case of getting a better washer in the end.

Yep, i bit off more than i could chew with this one. The ariel shot is from google and doesnt do justice. The whole back is indian stone, the side where garden area is a maze of block pathing and down side of bungalow and then the massive front as can see slightly from original picture.
For various reasons, water pressure problems (im sure old dear keeps running the bath) then problems with turbo nozzel not working and then my complete novice aproach, its taken 2 and a bit days. Yes didnt take long for 1, for me to regret taking on the job just for big money and 2, for me to realise a bigger pump/engine required.
Completely under researched it. I was thinking bigger bar/psi output the better. Didnt take into account an higher lpm output. So that massive blocked pathing front drive kicks out alot of sand n grime. When i watched hundreds of u tube vids and saw water blasting it away with a surface cleaner. I wrongly assumed that its not just down to psi but combined with a greater waterflow per minute. So i lack the power to either spray brush it or pick up brush n start to sweep to allow engine to cool     plus itd just me on tod
Today did an average size garden, one of my normal customers. Thankfully great water pressure and slabs n concrete. Took no time to do with fsc. Didnt want to spend  overly much on machine as these jobs im guessing are seasonal and didnt know if theres money in it.

[Smurf]

Still the washer you have will pay for itself in no time if it has not already and should be eraning you good money. Then maybe you can get a better one. Don't forget sometimes you don't need a big washer on some jobs as if you use hypo it can do all the work for you.

I've still got my 10 lpm direct feed washer as still come in handy when I can't be arsed nor need to use one of my other higher lpm washers.