Honda motor and 5.5 or 8gpm gear or belt at 3500.
Udor pump if u can or general if u can’t.
Why did u decide on buying your current machine.
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Man, look…I was in your shoes a few months ago. Before I found this site I purchased that same exact machine you have and did my level best to make it work despite being a direct drive and absurdly high PSI 4200/4gpm. I did a lot of jobs with it and finally upgraded to a 5.5/3500.
Please listen to (most) of the guys on here trying to help you out. When they say to set and leave the unloader, do it! Nozzles on the surface cleaner are what determine the pressure exiting the unit, and you’ll do good to get some form of Whisper Wash. Don’t make equipment decisions on your own right now, you basically have zero idea what is truly needed. Ask me how I know as I had to sell off all that beginner BS stuff for pennies on the dollar. 
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See thats what I’m not completely understanding. It’s for pressure relief right, more of a safety feature? The water recirculates and heats up and thats part of the reason it isn’t recommended correct? I’ll keep reading about unloaders.
I was reading that you should adjust the unloader to where its around 500 psi above the pressure that will come out of the tip to avoid pressure spikes while the gun isnt engaged.
I’ve heard a lot of people say not to touch it because its bad or wears something out, but in my pressure washers instructions it says to use it to adjust pressure and doesn’t say its bad for it. cant imagine its great in the long run and will be using nozzles with different orifice sizes once i get them.
This is why I came here, trying to cut through the conflicting answers . and thanks fro being helpful and not rude, I’m sure a lot of this might sound like someone who skipped the research phase and just came straight here, I really appreciate any help.
We have another winner
Bypassing to lower pressure is cutting your gpm at the nozzle.
No, that is a pressure relief valve. Set your unloader. Spot weld the set but or grind down the nut edges so your aren’t tempted to mess with it again
Here’s where you need to get a buffer tank with bypass. It’s a real PITA having to hit that trigger every minute so it won’t overheat the pump.
If it’s not too late, return that unit you have if it’s not a belt drive and at the very least spend $1300 on a 4/4 belt drive. You can also try for a 5.5/2500psi gear drive with a gx390, believe me I know those v-twin units are insanely expensive for what you actually get.
When you’re off the trigger the pump doesn’t stop producing pressure. That pressure has to be directed somewhere else since it’s not going out the end of the gun. As mentioned, a safety relief valve is for safety. An unloader prevents your pump from blowing up.
I’ve done way more than an hour of reading. I have been doing a lot of reading and a lot of sifting through forums and websites. Don’t think that I haven’t been putting in time for research.
I figured I’d come here to get some clarification or to see if others who have a similar interest and have been around the block are on the same page as me.
It’s hard sifting through all the stuff online and decide whos credible and factual and who’s just joe schmoe that bought a pressure washer.
Thank you, I appreciate it, Ill look into some similar machines.
thank you! I’ll do some more reading to make sure I fully understand.
also I checked my surface cleaner. I’m going to buy some new nozzles to get my desired pressure like you were saying.
the hose is rated for 4750 psi so it is a little higher, but couldnt see any markings on the gun itelf.
What surface cleaner do you have? Homeowner grade units probably don’t have replaceable nozzles. I used a Maxx SC for a while until I could afford a proper Whisper Wash.
Oh theyre replaceable for sure, gp hammerhead 20”
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