Karcher Pressure Washer, Honda Engine, Wal*Mart

[CharlesW]

Recently I saw a Karcher PW with a Honda engine at our Super Wal*Mart.
I think it was 2.4 gpm, 2400 psi, 5.5 hp.
About $260.00. Sounds like a good deal if you are in the market for one. It might not be heavy duty enough for the Pro's, but for occasional use, it might do fine.
I gave more than that for my Campbell-Hausfeld that is 2.0 gpm. 2200 psi, and a 6.5 hp Briggs & Stratton engine. Mine was the lowest level of the commercial line and has seen a moderate amount of use over 2 or 3 years with no problems.

Charles

 

[Beemerboy]

Thanks Charles I was thinking about this just the other day...my electric one took a dive last year....I have been doing without so far...its not like I really need one but it is a time saver...Karcher-Honda combo should be a good one!

 

[CharlesW]

Karcher, Honda, Wal*Mart may not be a great combination, though.
I have always had a great deal of repect for Honda quality, but when you see Honda lawn mowers at Home Depot and Honda engines on equipment at Wal*Mart, it makes me wonder.

Charles

 

[GearHead_1]

I would find out which Honda engine is on it. The GX engine is the one you want. All Honda engines are not created equal. If it is the GX engine it will last for many years. In fact the engine will most likely out live the pump.

 

[Poorboy]

I would find out which Honda engine is on it. The GX engine is the one you want. All Honda engines are not created equal. If it is the GX engine it will last for many years. In fact the engine will most likely out live the pump.

Will it say on the engine if it's a GX ..i might be interested in one:notme:

 

[GearHead_1]

Will it say on the engine if it's a GX ..i might be interested in one:notme:

Typically not, though the literature may say which it has. I'm going out on a limb here but I doubt they can sell a GX powered unit at that price. If you are familiar with the way small engines look, the non GX motor resembles a Briggs engine in many respects. If you were to look around and see the two respectively you would easily be able to pick out a GX motor. If someone would like to post a picture to the model in question I could identify it.

It still may be a good value but the thing to consider here is that you're comparing the non GX engine to the Briggs and Tecumsah powered washers price range. Here is a picture of a washer with a GX engine though the color may vary they are often just like this. They look pretty much the same from 4.5 h.p. all the way up through 13 h.p. engines. Notice how the square flat fuel tank sits directly on top of the blower housing on the first unit. The second two pictures are examples of Honda's entry level line, GC and LH engines. The third pump is a style of pump that I wouldn't recommend purchasing. They are vertical shaft models.

 

[CharlesW]

While I didn't really look closely, the picture on the carton at Wal*Mart looked a lot like the one on the right. I see it is 2500 psi and 2.4 gpm. I could very well have not remembered the psi correctly when I said I thought it was 2400 psi.
Either way, it would be plenty for most of us.

What is the problem with the vertical shaft pumps?
Mine is 90 miles away right now, but I'm pretty sure it is a vertical shaft.

Charles

 

[Poorboy]

Typically not, though the literature may say which it has. I'm going out on a limb here but I doubt they can sell a GX powered unit at that price. If you are familiar with the way small engines look, the non GX motor resembles a Briggs engine in many respects. If you were to look around and see the two respectively you would easily be able to pick out a GX motor. If someone would like to post a picture to the model in question I could identify it.

It still may be a good value but the thing to consider here is that you're comparing the non GX engine to the Briggs and Tecumsah powered washers price range. Here is a picture of a washer with a GX engine though the color may vary they are often just like this. They look pretty much the same from 4.5 h.p. all the way up through 13 h.p. engines. Notice how the square flat fuel tank sits directly on top of the blower housing on the first unit. The second two pictures are examples of Honda's entry level line, GC and LH engines. The third pump is a style of pump that I wouldn't recommend purchasing. They are vertical shaft models.

thanks for the info ....I think i'd probably spend a bit more to get the better model since it will do a lot of sitting after its use

 

[GearHead_1]

What is the problem with the vertical shaft pumps?
Mine is 90 miles away right now, but I'm pretty sure it is a vertical shaft.

Charles, It's not really a problem but more of a cost/durability issue, you get what you pay for. These type of units were designed to put the more common lawn mower (vertical shaft) style engines on a pump. The cost savings of doing so is significant. For instance a Tecumseh engine frequently used on this style pump can be had in the after market for less than $100 bucks if you do your shopping. A GX engine might cost between $300 - $400. When using a less expensive lawn mower style engine a high quality pump usually isn't put behind it. These pumps will do what they claim but their life span is considerably less in my experience (my father has a small engine repair business, I've repaired small engines for over 20 years). I would think you could expect 5 years or less under normal home owner use.

Horizontal shaft engines (regardless of brand) by design are more expensive engines. Think roto tiller verses lawn mower. When using an expensive engine it's typically backed up by a better pump.

When it comes to small engines and the Honda name I prefer none other assuming it is their commercial quality engine. Their typical consumer engine is nothing to write home about and in many cases isn't even as good as the competing Briggs or Tecumseh engines. I've seen commercial Honda engines that receive just normal maintenance run 15 years and longer. It's a dramatic difference. They start better, run better particularly at low speeds and last longer. Most small commercial quality small engine machines offer some type of Honda engine as an option. There are other good engines. Subaru Robin, Kawasaki, Kohler all make good engines but like Honda's commercial usually cost more.