I’m just getting into the PW/SW Business. What GPM machine should I start with? As for the SW 12v should it be 5.5 or 7 GPM?
12gpm should be good.
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2 x12gpm machines connected together (siamese) at the bare minimum.
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And a 24’ telescopic wand with a turbo nozzle if you want to reach 2 story soffit.
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Why we messin’ with people?
@cleanup, do some reading before buying anything.
Most run a 5 or 8 gpm. Some who go with 5 later upgrade to 8 and wish they would’ve started there.
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I got on here thinking people didn’t mess with someone trying to get started. Thxs “qons” for the response I was looking for.
Get 8 gpm….you won’t regret it.
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Thanks!!
My very first job was with a little 2.3 gpm machine, did a $600 deck with it and got a 4gpm. Worked with that for a year and (foolishly) got a 5.5/3500 v-twin, for $500 more I could have bought the 8gpm.
If you don’t want to mess around with a buffer tank, just find a 4gpm BELT DRIVE machine. You can grow some with that.
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Yes don’t get a 4gpm direct drive pw like I did from home depot.
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a 5.5gpm will be a good start. you can tackle all residential jobs with that at a pretty decent pace. i started with 2.3 ryobi trash then 4gpm then 7gpm. all upgrades were awesome.
Where would be a good place to purchase a 5.5gpm belt drive with pump? And what HP engine is best?
Depends, where are you located? If you’re looking to buy new, then I’d probably look for a local store that can walk you through everything and will be there to answer any questions you have. If you know what you want (engine, pump, etc) and handy with youtube or doing your own research, then buying online can save you some money. Obviously if going used and comfortable with knowing what to look for or fixing up issues, deals can be had from the local used marketplaces. Pretty standard to get 5.5 gpm at 2500ish psi from a GX390 (or equivalent 420-440cc engine) so around 13 HP. If you want more PSI (assuming the pump is rated for it) or more GPM you need to step up to at least 16+ HP.
Thank you!!
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Where might be a good place to purchase a Honda GX390 with a 5 GPM pump?
He’s hoping for recommendations not a google search. 
I previously asked where they were located… without knowing that it’s hard to recommend anything other then to search google and look for a local shop or the lowest price from the least sketchy looking website. For all we know they could be just down the street from a vendor or in the middle of nowhere. I have my opinions on who/what vendors I would rather do business with, but I’ve seen how threads can get derailed by mentioning specifics.
Thxs Anton. I am located in Michigans upper peninsula. I currently don’t know of any PW/SW companies anywhere in the Upper Peninsula. That is why I’m starting my own. I also would have to travel quite some distance south to even find a pressure washing store. So I turned to here for advice as to the best place to go online for supplies.
