Was recommended this unit

Those are the mistakes that usually get new guys to join the forum. :grinning:

1 Like

Keep in mind, by the time SH hits the house it’ll ideally be at about .8% concentration. We’re not talking 4% here.

1 Like

:joy::joy: that’s funny

1 Like

I’ve burned some grass and plants. It does get tricky when you wash roofs. That is just a risk that most of us take. The benefits of using a cheap effective product greatly outweigh the risks. Thats my opinion.

But, you can use whatever chems you want. Just be cautious and always read the sds.

Also don’t get that little machine. Or do. But you will already be behind your competition not using SH. No reason to weigh yourself down more with a homeowner machine.

1 Like

I would like to purchase a machine on wheels to begin with. That’s for sure. I’m open to the skid concept with a pickup truck as well but really like the units on wheels. This is because if I want to use my truck for something else, I can lift it out and roll it into my garage.

What about a small trailer setup? I think you’ll get tired of lugging the machine and everything else out for each job. It’s just so much more efficient and, easier on our bodies, to be able to pull up to a house and unroll the garden hose and pressure hose from reels instead of lugging equipment around. You’ll spend more cash upfront but you’ll be able to clean more houses in a day due to efficiency so it’ll all pay for itself in no time flat. Another huge plus is you’ll then have a buffer tank. Not only will you not have to worry about your pump being starved of water you can also let off the trigger of the gun and not have to worry about the pump overheating. That feature alone makes it all worth it. I just think it would be a pain always having to remember to pull the trigger every 30 seconds to prevent pump overheating. Just some things to think about.

You are so right about that. I would definitely prefer the small trailer set up now that you touched on the pump starving for water and potential of over heating. Can you explain to me how the buffer tank works and what’s a good capacity?

there’s plenty of topics on here explaining it. Just search here and start reading you’ll find a lot of info and learn other things you didn’t know you were looking for. The general purpose for buffer is you feed it from house to tank. The tank holds water which feeds pressure washer. Helps prevent the pump from starving for water. As for the bypass many pumps just have a small line to circulate water and cool the pump when you left off the trigger. ( the little black hose looped on top of the pump in you pic) That water heats up very fast. With buffer tank you can plumb that bypass to the buffer allowing it to cool and you don’t have to be concerned on shutting pressure washer off immediately when stopping for a moment. Just a quick summary. Search and read then ask if you don’t understand. And as said I wouldn’t consider chemicals without knowing what they contain. There’s always risks with any chemicals whether it be bleach or something else. Understanding what your using and knowing how to reduce those risks is key.

2 Likes

@Vrscr85 did a great job explaining what a buffer tank does.

I should’ve mentioned above that the only time you really have to be worried about your pump starving is if you go over a 4 gpm machine. It also depends on what flow in your area. If you get on a house with a well and, they run a load of water, you’ll be lucky to have enough to feed the pump.

I can’t imagine having to squeeze the trigger every 30 seconds or shutting the machine down anytime a potential customer called, the homeowner came out, had to run back to the trailer for something, etc. With a buffer tank you could lay your gun down as long as you need and don’t have to worry about your pump overheating. Buffer tank size needed depends on size of machine and sometimes water supply in your area.

1 Like

Thank you for that explanation. So what your saying is the water goes from the house into the buffer and then through the pressure washer? Or do you arrive with water already in the buffer?

Thank you as well!

You still hook up to the customer’s water supply. Most travel with their buffer tank almost empty. They just leave enough water in it to keep the pump primed. It’s just a buffer tank not so much a way to haul water. Although, get a dual axle and you could haul it if need be. It would have to be a smaller job though.

2 Likes

I don’t operate with a buffer tank as I only run 3.5gpm machine, but I believe you would show up with an empty or relatively empty buffer tank. Run the garden (supply hose) from customers spigot into the buffer tank. Once “enough” water has filled in tank, fire up washer and get to it. Leaving engine running for entire duration of cleaning would be acceptable as long as you have your bypass hose routing water back into the buffer tank allowing hot water from pump to be released back into tank and pump get fresh cool water constantly. Buffer tank would need to be run low on water before completion of job or you would drain water out of tank before moving to next job site. Hope this helps.

1 Like

Or just look at Brian’s chart :slightly_smiling_face:

That diagram can be very helpful. Ideally the tank is on trailer or back of truck not to be removed. Stays connected to pressure washer. You leave a little water in tank to keep the pump primed so you don’t have to prime it every time you get to a house. (But remember water can be heavy and sloshes around so you typically don’t want a full tank riding around.) Connect house water to tank first. Set up your pressure hoses and set up to clean. By that time your tank will be close if not full (depending in tank size). Some run hudson floats on the tank for supply from house so they won’t overfill. So it will automatically close and open as needed to refill. But I believe I’ve seen that Hudson valves can be finicky at times. Never had a problem with mine but I have done very minimal washing so far

1 Like

If you get a good trailer and drive a good truck you don’t have to drive around empty. I usually drive with around 100-150 gallons in my 225 gal leg tank. I sometimes run two machines off the tank. When I do that I always drive around full. It really depends on your situation. I like to have enough to Start washing without waiting on water.

2 Likes

This chart is awesome! Thanks Marine!

Definitely helps thank you!

This was actually going to be my next question!

If you look at that diagram it shows a Hudson valve at tank. Also shows a filter between the tank and washer. Seeing as your somewhat new from my understanding. Maybe check around see if someone here is around you. Get to check out their system and see how it works and purpose of things. And as I said before searching here will help a lot. I usually just pull up a topic I’m wanting to learn then just jump around the suggested topics at end of each post.

1 Like