We finally made enough money to upgrade my machine to a 5.5/3500. I now have a dilemma and need some guidance.
For $2900 I can get a Vanguard belt drive with General pump, or Vanguard with Udor gear drive. For another $700 I can get the Honda GX630 but I know zero about either engine…especially why all three Honda motors have exactly the same stats but different HP.
I can’t go 8gpm, my tank is only 50 gallons. Suggestions on vendors is appreciated too. Southside can get one but takes two weeks from Pressure Pro.
If I were in your shoes, what I think I might do is try and find a reasonably priced 80-125 gallon tank, and build a Predator/Udor gear drive machine. The money you save on the machine could go towards the tank and other odds and ends you might need going to 8gpm.
If you have a slow water supply, either idle the machine down for less gpm, or use your old machine. But you’ll probably have a lot of customers with good water supplies that can handle the 8gpm just fine, and you’ll be glad to get through the jobs quicker.
Keep your old machine as a backup, as the Predators are not 100% bullet proof. But the Udors are, and they can handle when you run your tank dry.
Keep in mind that generally speaking, it will take ~x amount of gallons of water to clean a house or driveway, regardless if you’re using a 5.5 or 8 gpm. You might actually use less water overall with the 8. So with the 8gpm, you may spend more time standing around waiting for the tank to catch up, but the job really shouldn’t take any longer start to finish, and you will have done less actual work.
I just can’t, with my setup. I have a 65 gallon leg tank on the tongue and it fills to 50 gallons. I’ll be perfectly happy with a 5.5/3500 but just undecided where and how to go about buying one.
If it was strictly for house washing my current 390 would get another pump but some of this brick and aggregate is super dirty here and I feel a 3500 would be necessary as I have 200’ of hose, sometimes more.
Right now an Udor/Vanguard combo seems ideal when factoring in cost but can’t seem to find such a beast, and I don’t know how to piece a machine together myself.
From everything I’ve read, it’s literally 4 bolts to attach a gear drive pump to a motor. I’m sure someone like @SchertzServicesLLC or someone else could walk you through it or at least help allay your anxiety over the process.
You’ll be quite happy with the upgrade from 4 to 5.5 gpm.
Btw, you can get your tank to fill to the brim if you install your hudson valve like so:
Oh I know, if I were to swap out pumps on my current 390. I’m just intimidated about buying a Vanguard 18hp, muffler, gas tank, skid, proper tips, correct gear drive pump, various unloaders, bypass hoses, correct shaft size/type etc etc.
Southside can order a Pressure Pro 5.5/3500 belt drive with general pump for about $2800…but I’m really leaning toward an Udor and they insist belt drive is the way to go.
A gear drive Udor will be miles better than a belt drive General.
^^ I’m not too impressed with their stance. Sounds like they are just trying to sell you what they carry. There is very little difference between the two nowadays in terms of longevity. It seems like the gear drive would be lower maintenance, as well. Don’t have to worry about belts breaking or stretching. Just change the gear oil at the proper intervals.
A gear drive will be a little more compact for your setup, as well.
All of the stuff you mentioned, can be sourced and ordered in an afternoon.
You will need to have proper tips, bypass hose, and unloader regardless the machine you choose. Half the suppliers out there will give you less than the ideal stuff for all of that, anyway.
I would take the ‘gamble’ on the Predator, personally. It comes with a muffler and more HP. Just plan on replacing the fuel pump asap.
That extra HP will come in handy next year, when you’ve got a truck and are ready to get an 8gpm pump . Then you can swap the 5.5 over to your gx390.
Oh, and don’t underestimate the cost savings on freight, either. That Pressure Pro could cost you $250+ to have shipped. A gear drive pump from Dultmeier would probably run $50-$60 for freight, and you could pick up the motor locally.
These are all things you need to know to keep your washer up and running. It really isn’t that tough and you’ve got support here. Add in the money savings and it’s a no brainier imo.
Ok, I’ll try to find a motor locally. What shaft size/type do I need for that gear drive? I called a local mower supply, he needs a specific model number before he can order one.
Have you ever put your hand on a direct drive pump running and then a belt drive. Big difference in heat. Direct drive,I couldn’t even touch. It was that hot.
. Then you can swap the 5.5 over to your gx390.
