Turbo and ZK1 issue

1

I don’t know what happened today. I was using the turbo on some rocks and it worked fine for a few minutes, then it suddenly started surging. It would go full pressure then drop to nearly zero, cycling every couple seconds.

I tried to eliminate a few things, turned the unloader screw in a bit, shortened the pressure hose to 150’, checked the pressure with a gauge attached. I had it all the way down to 2100psi and no change.

I put the green tip on and readjusted back to 3000psi without issue.

Any ideas?

2

Brock, are you running a filter on the turbo nozzle?

3

No filter. It flows freely though.

4

maybe clogged

5

The only time I’ve had a zk1 cycle was due to restrictions somewhere in the line

6

Too much restriction at the nozzle will confuse the unloader and it won’t be able to decide whether you are on the trigger or not. If I barely crack open the ball valve, it will surge on and off.

1 Like
7

It worked fine with everything else, is the turbo defective or something?

8

What everyone mentioned above. Too much back pressure is the culprit. Is your turbo designed for an 8gpm? they make different ones.

9

Far as I know it is, I got it from Southside three years ago and used it many times with the trapped unloader. I’ll try and see if there is a number on it.

The top says Made in Germany 3100psi, the brass says 03003ADARP.

10

sounds like a suttner, I haven’t used one yet. I go through several turbos every season and I’m just a part timer, they shouldn’t last 3 years (maybe with minimal use). Mine will either sputter before they die (won’t cycle) and shoot out a single stream (no rotation). 3100psi seems a little low, did you buy it after you went to 8 gpm or before?

Funny you mention this, as I was thinking about switching to the zk1. I won’t even attempt to put that thing on my rig if it affects a turbo. I’d lose a lot of dirty work.

11

I’ve never had a problem using a turbo with my zk1.

1 Like
12

Same here

1 Like
13

Update…I called Russ at Southside. As you guys suspected he thinks it’s the wrong size for the machine, and when I had the trapped unloader it would simply bypass the rest of the flow it couldn’t get through the turbo.

When I switched to the K1 it tried to shove all the flow into the line but started surging instead. I gave him the numbers on the bottom and it’s definitely the wrong size which is weird as I got it after my 8gpm upgrade.

Looks like I need a new nozzle. Thanks for everyone sleuthing this!

2 Likes
14

Thank you and @Traskrider. It is currently in my tool box as my backup. When brock posted that I thought more money down the crapper.

15

It’s one of those things that when you start using it you’ll be like, “Why’d I wait so long?” Trust me.

3 Likes
16

Agreed, @Racer hounded me for years to get one and it’s been a godsend for my wrist pain.

2 Likes
17

If you were as ripped as me it wouldn’t be an issue. I asked specifically for a 4x trap unloader just to get the extra work in. Look at me now.

image
image1500×1500 97 KB

2 Likes
18

Glad it’s helping

19

Exactly what do you guys use a turbo for? Been at it right at 12 years, have used my turbo once for 5 min, probably 6-7 years ago. And I wash a lot of different things. In fact, I only use a hp nozzle of any type for gum and curbs.

20

I had to use one on a triple retaining wall made of blocks, it was awful. Regular nozzle wasn’t working very well. Yesterday I was using it on some limestone rocks that had lichen all over.

1 Like