New to the business and looking at a graco machine

HI there!

I’m Nathan, figured I’d write an intro and possibly get some feedback. I’be been doing some reading and feel pretty confident about my ideas, but i always prefer to get some feedback from those more experienced than I. i’m shooting to make it into a viable side business, as I enjoy my job quite a bit. Just to preface, I plan to register as an LLC, and i’m currently waiting back on a quote for my insurance

I’m in a growing upper midwest town of 35,000 with a larger city of 175,000 about an hour away. From my google searching, it appears that there is one other guy in town that washes, but he doesn’t have much of an online presence. I’m a bit nervous that 35,000 isn’t big enough to support the business, but I don’t have enough experience to say either way. How far do you guys end up driving for your jobs?

My original plan was to put together my own washer with a gx390 and an udor 5 gpm belt driven pump. I was shooting to keep the total under $1000. However I found a Graco belt driven machine thats 4.4/3200 psi. I can’t seem to find what pump brand it is, but it appears to be a decent machine, though there isn’t much info online. Does anyone have any experience with a Graco that can validate my assumptions?

That’s all the questions I have for now, and I appreciate the time you spent reading.

Thanks!

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Hey! Welcome :slight_smile:

I live in a small town. Waaaay less people than that (9000!).

If I search plumbers there are 30+, yet they all seem to be busy. My point is, don’t let that put you off.

If you have the right eye for detail and do a proper job, word of mouth and reputation really works on smalller places too.

I’d personally go GX390 and a decent pump. That’s just my opinion though. Tried and tested, parts available, lots of people start this way and it works.

Have a great day!

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I’m not familiar with Graco PW…I would be careful of PW that have pumps with the unloader and chemical injector built into them. Many big box store PW and even some CAT pumps have unloader/injector built in and those are usually the first to go and your pump is then worthless.

If keeping under $1000 get a cheap low hour gx390 and put an Udor 5gpm or General 5.5gpm with gear-box and you’ll be good to go.

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Where are you located? I have a super low hour belt drive id let go

I’m in the upper midwest, so doesn’t appear to be close to you. But thanks for the offer!

I just put together a brand new gx390 with a 5gpm Udor pump and gear box. Engine was $600 with free shipping. Pump and box was about $750 with shipping. That’s about as cheap as I could find to put one together with new parts. Then you still need a unloaded. Buying a prebuilt one is easier and even a little cheaper, however I wanted the Udor pump so it was worth it to me.

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Udor pumps are something else! Well worth the effort

I appreciate the input! I glad to hear about the udor and gx390, the Graco looked nice because it was together and local, but if the udor pumps are that much better it’s probably worth it to build one.

I have never used one before to be honest. However I have only ever heard good things about them. The feeling I get from most people is that they are top of the line. So thought I would give one a shot.

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I appreciate everybody who’s chimed in. Is there anything else someone has advice on?

Thanks!

I got advice on

Marriage: make it once and to the right person

Lemonade: minutemade is better than country time

Guns: there should be nicks and scratches on them

Welding: pay someone to do it until you are confident

Children: kneel down and look at them when you talk to them

Retirement centers: visit random ones often and bring your your kids with you

Things that make you money: buy the best and take care of it

Pocket knives: never be without one

Boots: don’t save money over comfort

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Every time i went to vist my great grandma. I ended up playing cards with random people that swear i am thier grandson :joy::joy: not sure why but always would have stuff they stole or saved up(bar soap, boxes of tissues,etc.) And try to give them to me. Id always act very thankful for the stuff and return it to the main desk.

I love talking to them.

Hold on just a minute…I grew up on this pink stuff. Countrytime rocks!!! Of course I haven’t had it since a kid…

I like to think you are very knowledgeable and put a lot of stock into your advice…Then this. I just can’t buy into this one @Innocentbystander. :man_facepalming:t2:

I know. It hurts. I drank country time for 45 years. My boys turned me onto minute made and it’s better. My mom probably thinks I turned Methodist and let me hair touch my collar but it’s the cold, hard truth.

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My wife just asked me when I am going to get my hair cut. I told her when warmer weather gets here

Simply brand lemonade. Water, sugar, lemons.

Definitely. I got a squeezer for making lemonade and orangeade