Pressure washers - which one?

[Howsafe Workwear and Safety Equipment]

Ok looking for a new pressure washer...

 

Requirements -

 

1. Longer hose than the "too short" 5 metre hoses they generally come with

 

2. The though of spending much more than 100-150 quid does not appeal

 

Anyone got any recommendations?

 

Thanks in advance chaps

 

 

[JeffC]

forget karcher they are ****e, I went through 3 in less than 6 months although I do use mine pretty much everyday, I then on recommendation  bought a Bosch Aquatic with extra long hose for about £150 and used it for 4 years and it never flackered , Nick Algar has it at the moment and its still going strong       

[User0083]

I have a karcher, awesome bit of kit!

Cost £100 ish in 1/2 price thing.

Cleaned courtyard garden and walls in Devon, high pressure adaptor that I put hand in and turn on, to test, it's powerful! Had floor thing too and allows cleaning stuff straight from bottle through a little pipe off the side. Had it 18 months, never an issue.

But use it once in a blue moon if I'm honest. So if use it lots listen to someone that uses theirs more.

[jacko9370]

I had a karcher, cost hundred ish in sale, was good while it worked.

Lasted about 9 months, not heavy use but then started leaking through the pump, was going to cost more to repair than replace.

I wouldn't have another karcher.

[Barry Ashcroft]

Had several Karchers, now changed to a Nilfisk Poseidon2 from there industrial range not cheap but a great washer, got a great deal at the NEC Classic

[FILFAN]

i wont have a karcher again. had mine out today and every time i use it something else fails. there just the usual tarted up crap that gets sold on the domestic market. 

[jeff oakley]

KArchers are fine if you look after them. You must flush out the detergent as some that you can buy are corrosive to the alloy the unit is made from. Also let the water pump through until the unit is dry, which takes a few seconds after the hose is turned off. Many get frost damage in a cold garage. They are meant for home use but as the worlds largest pressure washer manufacturer they do a range, at a cost, for industrial use as well.

[Bob Bobbleton]

I got a Nilfisk from machine mart on vat free day

It has all accessories including a 15m drain cleaner, patio cleaner, nozzle selections, brush etc

It was I think about 100 quid

It is excellent

The patio cleaner itself as an accessory is supposed to be about 40 quid... It does a fantastic job

Cant fault it. Best money I've spent for a while

Bob

[Darrell O'Neill]

Funnily enough, Ive just been looking at these two

 

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/nilfisk-alto-c-120-6-6-pcad-x-tra-cold-water-c

 

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/nilfisk-alto-c130-1-6-pad-x-tra-cold-water-pre

[Wile E. Coyote]

Been looking around recently - apparently the Karchers have plastic pump internals but the Nilfisks are all metal (and are reputed to last longer).  Can't report on reliability though as a I won't be buying for a few more weeks.

[JeffC]

as said my Bosh is 6 year old, for 4 year used daily washing cars and engines off and still in use today and I bought it refurbished but to be fair it looked new just box was scruffy .

 

found one here for £70! if it hast got the extra long hose with it  you can buy them.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-AQUATAK-Garden-Combi-Pressure-Washer-110-Bar-1600W-/150985832331?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item232774f78b

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Don't get a Karcher. The domestic ones are just that, built to a price and don't last.

Jeff lent me his Bosch couple of years ago, cracking bit of kit, just got a Kew Hot pressure one they are awsome, big mind. But dirt doesn't stand a chance. Old industrial machine with slow running motor but massive pressure. Proper bit of kit. Thanks Jeff

[langy]

I had a Karcher unit fail on me a few years ago. Must admit I've been looking at getting replacement.

 

Might be worth ensuing you can get a snow foam attachment for the car cleaning

[iain m]

Had a Karcher for years, the hoses are very stiff and damage easily, had to buy a new hose which came with the gun, stood in the Karcher dealer looking at a new mid range 50% off machine £30 more than the replacement parts,no brainer. The machines in this thread look to have more flexible hoses, worth a look.

[Barry Ashcroft]

One of my main requirements was a hose reel and nice soft hose.