I need a new Karcher type thing

[PrivateHireGuy]

Hey all,

I’ve reached the point where the constantly leaking Karcher pressure spray device we have is giving me rage.

So, I’d like to replace it, but have no idea where to start, or even if I should look at other brands.

Advice appreciated.

 

[Headhurts]

These are superb and quite a few good reviews, this is the one I have but many are out of stock unfortunately.

Smart P60

The AVA Smart series boasts several of the successful features of its big brother, the Master series, but in a more compact form factor.

avastore.co.uk

Robin

 

[HappytalkAgain]

I had a run of Karchers for many years. When the last one gave up I thought I’d have a change and bought this:

Nilfisk Premium 180 Pressure Washer | In Stock | CleanStore

CleanStore provides quality cleaning products for delivery across the UK.

www.cleanstore.co.uk

It’s been a fab little machine.

 

[keith of kent]

I have a Nilfisk now over 10 years old. It is quite normal for it to be running non stop for two hours plus cleaning my drive.
Had a Karcher, it broke

 

[PrivateHireGuy]

Wow, I never realised these things could be so expensive…

 

[John N]

Hey all,

I’ve reached the point where the constantly leaking Karcher pressure spray device we have is giving me rage.

So, I’d like to replace it, but have no idea where to start, or even if I should look at other brands.

Advice appreciated.

 

[chic0821]

Assuming you wish to remain with Karcher, check out the Karcher Outlet, often have good deals on

 

[BTB 500]

Be aware that the connectors on power washers are far from universal, so switching from one brand to another may well mean you can't use existing stuff you might have (patio washers etc.).

I had a Karcher that died ... replaced it with a 'Titan' one from Screwfix which has been great, but I couldn't find a snow foam lance to fit it. In the end I managed to buy a Titan to 1/4" quick release adapter, then got a 1/4" quick release fitting lance to go onto that. So not insurmountable, but a bit of extra cost & hassle.

 

[AMGeed]

+1 for Nilfisk.
Been far more reliable than both Karchers that eventually leaked.

 

[Will]

I’m a bit of a tool snob, but I bought a ‘Workzone’ pressure washer from Aldi about ten years ago - it’s been used to clean countless cars, patios, boats, bikes - you name it. Has turbo lance, vario lance, detergent bottle and bought a patio scrubber too.

It’s fallen over more times than I can remember, never been winterised, never had a single fault or even a leak with it in all that time

I’d be surprised if a Karcher would still be working okay a decade later - everyone I know who’s had one has had problems in less time than this. And in some areas a lot of Karchers seem built to a lower quality - eg plastic thread/fitting on the water inlet (my one is brass)

In other words, almost all of the DIY/domestic machines appear to be made cheaply with plastic fittings and cheap motors etc. So unless you’re paying several £££ for a semi-pro machine, I’d give something like what I bought a go - I can’t remember how much it cost but was probably around £100-130 +/- and it’s been well worth that. I think they come with a 3-year warranty too

If they still make them today, I’d buy another in a heartbeat.

 

[Will]

Be aware that the connectors on power washers are far from universal, so switching from one brand to another may well mean you can't use existing stuff you might have (patio washers etc.).

I had a Karcher that died ... replaced it with a 'Titan' one from Screwfix which has been great, but I couldn't find a snow foam lance to fit it. In the end I managed to buy a Titan to 1/4" quick release adapter, then got a 1/4" quick release fitting lance to go onto that. So not insurmountable, but a bit of extra cost & hassle.

Yes there’s quite a lot of brass adaptors out there for the various PW fittings - worth a look on eBay - eg:

Snow Foam Lance Adapter Pressure Washer Karcher Lavor Bosch Black Decker QR | eBay

Each of the foam lance adaptors is supplied with a free reel of PTFE tape, ready to connect to the Foam Lance.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[GrahamT]

I had a run of Karchers for many years. When the last one gave up I thought I’d have a change and bought this:

Nilfisk Premium 180 Pressure Washer | In Stock | CleanStore

CleanStore provides quality cleaning products for delivery across the UK.

www.cleanstore.co.uk

It’s been a fab little machine.

+1 for Nilfisk. I have the c110

 

[AP211]

I have a Bosch Universal Aquatak 135 which seems to do the job fine. Use it for washing the car and pressure washing the garden and drive as well.

 

[StMarks]

I've had three different Karcher models in the past.
They have all failed (imho) prematurely. A lot of wasted money & disappointment.
I'm not one for throwing things away, I prefer to be able to repair. In every case this was not a viable option with any of the Karchers.
After the last failure, I purchased a Stihl RE128. My decision was based on the fact that Stihl's product range & distribution network are geared towards machinery that is "repairable" with maintenance parts readily available & their designs are conceived accordingly.
Having said that, so far I have only ever needed to replace one wheel because it was melted in an incident with a flame weeder.
It is perhaps not as powerful as I would ideally like, but maybe my expectations are unrealistic.
Hth

 

[MeQ]

I use a Worx Hydroshot, not the most powerful thing available but plenty for washing the cars…

https://amzn.eu/d/dl7h3Oo

 

[Chrishazle]

I also have a Worx Hydroshot, cordless variety. It's fine for the car but useless for the patio. For that I have my Lavor Tiger mains pressure washer purchased from Jetwashdirect Ltd in 2004 for £97+VAT, it's my second of these as the first was stolen, so I have about 35 years experience with one and have been really happy - hence replacing the original with another when the first was stolen c. 2003. I have for it a second long HP extension hose plus metal rather than plastic lances that I found on Ebay. The long HP hose means I can do our extensive flagged area and only have to move the machine once.

 

[Smart320]

Another vote for Nilfisk , had a Karcher broke, bought another broke again as soon as warranty finished. The Nilfisk has been worked very hard for 5 years and is still going strong

 

[rf065]

Gave up on Karchers years ago, too many leaks, even on brand new lances straight out of the packet, moved to Nilfisk, much better build quality.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

One has staff, so can't comment - except that everyone berates Karcher for leaks and faults, so swerve.

 

[BTB 500]

Yes there’s quite a lot of brass adaptors out there for the various PW fittings - worth a look on eBay - eg:

Yep that's where I got my adapter from.