Greetings and Salutations and all that happiness. Reading through the history here has been incredibly informative in a drinking from a firehose type of way. You all have completely altered my equipment plans and kept me from buying what I thought was what I “Needed” To keep me from further mistakes would the above washer be an acceptable starter unit for someone wanting to get started in flat work such as driveways? Ide be paring it with a 16-20 inch surface washer. Once I’ve recovered financially from the purchase ide like to get into soft washing for decks and houses as well. I’ll of course be getting my license and insurance.
It’s a lot better than what I started with. I can’t comment on the vendor or price however, the other guys know better than I. That comment section does have spot-on advice.
Ive got just shy of 4 grand to give this a go with and I’m trying to make the wisest choices I can with my funds. Ide like to get what equipment I can and get some practice jobs in before the weather turns bad, this will also give me the winter to save, read ,study and try out different setups before spring. When I’d like to hit things hot and heavy. 12 bucks an hour just isn’t cutting it anymore. Appreciate you taking the time to comment Sir.
Save over winter, then drop atleast 8k In early spring. Or wait a little longer for the pre winter to scoop up the ( I didn’t make it, Please take this off my hands so I can buy Christmas gifts )sales ,for pennies on the dollar, on Facebook, Ebay,bla,bla etc…
I know nothing about you Sir but with a handle like Appalachian American I believe we’d get along just fine. Appreciate the advice. Are you suggesting I get another pump with the 8 k or rather set up everything at one time with the money?
Don’t forget, It’s okay to buy on credit. If you’re going to run it as a business and I assume you are, loans aren’t the worst thing on the planet. If they set you up to make more money faster. Just think about it.
I’d love bullet proof, but at this point I’ll settle for quality at a reasonable price. I do not want garbage. If I was going to blow money there are much more enjoyable things to spend it on
5.5 gpm ain’t bad @Greenman . Good starter for rez and driveways. But I’d go 3500 psi pump. Because of pressure loss through you pressure line . If you venture into commercial or fleet work, than you’ll need to go to a hot water skid. Hot skids are 3 times more $ than your typical cold washer.
@Hotshot I wondered if the loss in pressure would be detrimental, imagine it gets cut even lower if I attach a surface cleaner. Right now commercial is way out of my league, but who knows what the future might hold. We had a HUGE hot washer at my old Unit. We used it for cleaning out the Bradley’s and other armored vehicles so I know they can do some serious work.
Your gonna get an 8gpm @3500 psi with a gx690 or 20hp vanguard. It’s just a matter of time. So either save for one or get a 5.5 or 6 ish gpm @3500 psi With an 18 hp vanguard or a gx630. ALL STEEL platform ,no aluminium! Pick your poison on the pumps. Most use Udor or Legacy. I’ll buy comet or Ar pumps as back ups. But some like them. But do your own research on here. Its well worth the time outta your day.
You don’t have to listen to me but I’d say Spend the money on the thing that’s bringing you income. If you can’t afford it in cash, that’s okay. This industry is fairly cheap to get into. I’m not saying you’re one of these people that drive around in a $20k truck the bank owns and you don’t want to spend money on equiptment that will save you so much time and headache.
Do whatever you want but when starting a business, any business, don’t plan on making money for a while. That 4 grand may be better off in your pocket with a month or two buffer until you get yourself out there. It’s your business run it the way you want.
The whole reason I say this is because I bought a machine comparable to the one you just listed and I thought It was doing great but with that pressure you’re going to have problems on concrete. Maybe not all concrete but some and it will ruin your day. Maybe put you behind and throw off a whole week. Now you’re dealing with unhappy customers. I’ve been there. So the next day I went out and bought a 8gpm on credit and it has paid for itself probably 6 times over in just 6 months or so.
If you made it the whole way through just know I didn’t review the post beforehand so sorry for any run on sentences or misspelled words. Sorry for the rant.
Everything you said makes perfect sense, I guess I’m a bit gun shy. In my 20s I made some poor financial decisions and found myself in about 15k of debt with absolutely nothing to show for it. I worked like a mad Bas@#$% and finally got it paid off. Since then I’ve bought nothing on credit, my vehicles have been cash purchases and things have been good. I absolutely see distinction between the bs I wasted money on and a business type loan. I’ll definitely take it into consideration Sir.
