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grober
MB Master
Sp!ke
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IIRC quite a few people here have had problems with Karcher washers.
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It IS all about flow-rate - how much water is actually fired at the area to be cleaned.
Don't go for a bottom end machine with short flimsy hose that will make walking around the car awkward. Also if you need a replacement hose for one of the cheaper machines you'll be surprised how expensive it will be.
Go to a local "specialist" pressure washer supplier and pick their brains.
We have had several industrial steam cleaners over the years which heat and power are excellent machines but costly to buy. (beware cheap second hand machines, the are expensive to repair).
At present I use a Honda petrol engined machine that is able to draw water from a stream if necessary and it is a good piece of kit.
Don't go for a bottom end machine with short flimsy hose that will make walking around the car awkward. Also if you need a replacement hose for one of the cheaper machines you'll be surprised how expensive it will be.
Go to a local "specialist" pressure washer supplier and pick their brains.
We have had several industrial steam cleaners over the years which heat and power are excellent machines but costly to buy. (beware cheap second hand machines, the are expensive to repair).
At present I use a Honda petrol engined machine that is able to draw water from a stream if necessary and it is a good piece of kit.
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Agreed.
They used to be quite decent machines but have taken the bottom end, pile 'em high sell em cheap route that seems to scupper most decent products.
If you went for a Stihl machine you would see very high quality but they are expensive. You get what you pay for.
Hello
For the occasional cleaning of our cars (under the arches etc) as I don't like using them for cars and for our patio / flags etc we use a Karcher. It's on wheels so easy to use and has a choice of three lances. You can also fill up a little tank with cleaning stuff and use it lance free to spray foam out first.
Cost around £100 several years ago and works a treat. Long hose on the lance and quite long power lead.
For the occasional cleaning of our cars (under the arches etc) as I don't like using them for cars and for our patio / flags etc we use a Karcher. It's on wheels so easy to use and has a choice of three lances. You can also fill up a little tank with cleaning stuff and use it lance free to spray foam out first.
Cost around £100 several years ago and works a treat. Long hose on the lance and quite long power lead.
whizzkid11
Active Member
I have had a small karcher for the last 8 years and never had a problem. Have cleaned several patios annually as well as the windows, drains and cars - works a treat.
Pop down to you local costco as they always have specials on Karchers. And yes I would stick to karcher over other brands, I did get a backup RAC jet wash, but the karcher is still going strong so I passed the other one on to a friend.
Definitely get the dirt blaster head and the tri ject patio washers is brilliant. I also got the extending pole for windows - and would also recommend the drain blaster if you need it.
Pop down to you local costco as they always have specials on Karchers. And yes I would stick to karcher over other brands, I did get a backup RAC jet wash, but the karcher is still going strong so I passed the other one on to a friend.
Definitely get the dirt blaster head and the tri ject patio washers is brilliant. I also got the extending pole for windows - and would also recommend the drain blaster if you need it.
Swiss Toni
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Nah - Yer just a bloke on t'internet. What on earth do you know about squirting water at things eh?
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Nah - Yer just a bloke on t'internet. What on earth do you know about squirting water at things eh?
Of course, choosing the right pressure washer is very much like making..
Take out your lance
Decide where to aim it
Make sure the flow rate is adequate for the job in hand
Then pull the trigger.
Bought a £300 halfords one a few years ago when they had 50% off, 1st one broke after 11 months so did second one, but to be fair all that broke was the adjustment on a micro switch that switched the machine off when you let go of the trigger.
So 1st one replaced under warranty.
2nd one did over a year then i pulled it apart bent the switch contact and its still fine 2 years later.
Main hose on a reel which is great, loads of different jets incl the wobble one for patios etc.
As said years ago karcher where the nuts now just sell on their name, bit like jcb etc.
Lynall
So 1st one replaced under warranty.
2nd one did over a year then i pulled it apart bent the switch contact and its still fine 2 years later.
Main hose on a reel which is great, loads of different jets incl the wobble one for patios etc.
As said years ago karcher where the nuts now just sell on their name, bit like jcb etc.
Lynall
AANDYY
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My Dad has this, it's very good.
I thought the wobble jet would be a gimmik but it's good.
120 bar 520ltrs/hour
Nilfisk ALTO C120 2-6 Pressure Washer 120bar 1.7kW 240V - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys
I thought the wobble jet would be a gimmik but it's good.
120 bar 520ltrs/hour
Nilfisk ALTO C120 2-6 Pressure Washer 120bar 1.7kW 240V - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys
Satch
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My Karcher is about 8 years old and despite heavy use has exhibited no problems at all. My brother in law on the other hand has a more recent model which has suffered numerous problems.
Key is flow rate, especially if you hanker after one of those water powered hovercraft on a stick thingies for cleaning large areas of driveway, patio etc. With a decent machine they work well. With something that boasts a high psi but has low water volume delivery they are next to useless.
Key is flow rate, especially if you hanker after one of those water powered hovercraft on a stick thingies for cleaning large areas of driveway, patio etc. With a decent machine they work well. With something that boasts a high psi but has low water volume delivery they are next to useless.
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My point exactly.
Like so many brands the old Karcher kit was decent, but now every company has to drive down the price to compete with a lot of the cheap rubbish and thus quality does suffer.
I got Mrs Ringways Mum a Sharp microwave 25 years ago at a trade cost of £380! IIRC it lasted over 20 years and they sold it for £25 due to having a new kitchen.
As expected, they bought another Sharp microwave to compliment the new kitchen. It was on the scrap heap after 13 months.
