Higher Volume Machines

[Paul Kassander]

We are contemplating building a cold water unit with a smaller HP Gas engine (8-10) that would be capable of producing 5.6gpm @ 1700psi, and another version that would be 8gpm @ 1200psi. This unit would be equipped with a larger remote mount tank and fuel pump instead of the typical top mount gas tank.

Do you have an interest in a product like this?

[Russell Cissell]

Paul

It may be slow to catch on, but I think that's an excellent solution for wood restoration.

It's often hard to find tips large enough to reduce the pressure on the higher HP machines. Even when you do, you are wasting energy. Your solution should be just as effective and much more efficient. It makes good economic sense.

[Beth n Rod]

Originally Posted by Paul Kassander

We are contemplating building a cold water unit with a smaller HP Gas engine (8-10) that would be capable of producing 5.6gpm @ 1700psi, and another version that would be 8gpm @ 1200psi. This unit would be equipped with a larger remote mount tank and fuel pump instead of the typical top mount gas tank.

Do you have an interest in a product like this?

A thought occurred to me from what I read in the past and keeping in mind I am not an expert in design specifications but could the lower horsepower be an issue on a higher gpm pump?
I don't recall the formulas used to compute the necessary horsepower needed to run certain spec'd pumps but thought I would bring it up for consideration.
Other than that, it is an interesting idea.

Rod!~

[One Tough Pressure]

lower hp equals lower psi on a higher gpm pump, which in this situation is just fine.

[Jarrod]

Alan is correct.
Paul, I think it would be a great idea for woodies and house wash guys.

If you have never washed a deck or house with 8 or 10 gpm, you have no idea what you are missing!

We have one 10 gpm, two 8gpm, and one 5.5 gpm. Last guy in the door every morning gets to use the 5.5

[Jarrod]

If you do get one of these units, you will need a 55 gallon float tank. Those are very easy to find.

[squirtgun]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

Alan is correct.
Paul, I think it would be a great idea for woodies and house wash guys.

If you have never washed a deck or house with 8 or 10 gpm, you have no idea what you are missing!

We have one 10 gpm, two 8gpm, and one 5.5 gpm. Last guy in the door every morning gets to use the 5.5

Lies,all lies.
Jarrod has 4-2.3gpm/2550psi machine loaded in old beater ford rangers.The grocery store hates to see him come in because he buys all the bleach up.He told me he goes through several hundred gallons of Thompsons every year,but he stretches it by adding water.
He's the biggest band geek hack on earth

[plainpainter]

Couldn't one just adjust your unloader to the correct pressure - and once achieved - back off the throttle until the engine just 'meets' the required output? I mean heck - a car with a 250hp engine, only uses 18hp to cruise at 55MPH.

[John Orr]

Paul,

I think its a great idea. As my company name implies, I am all about low-pressure. My back-up machine is 5.6 gpm/2300 psi. Its an older direct drive 4/3500 unit from HD. Has a 13 hp Honda and the Comet pump went bad. I found a gear drive pump that fits. Works great for wood, but also drives a 20" surface cleaner (also a back-up) very well. (P.S. My main rig is 8 gpm/3000 psi - love them psi's!)

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by squirtgun

Lies,all lies.
Jarrod has 4-2.3gpm/2550psi machine loaded in old beater ford rangers.The grocery store hates to see him come in because he buys all the bleach up.He told me he goes through several hundred gallons of Thompsons every year,but he stretches it by adding water.
He's the biggest band geek hack on earth

Actually, we add Kool Aid for pigment.

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by plainpainter

Couldn't one just adjust your unloader to the correct pressure - and once achieved - back off the throttle until the engine just 'meets' the required output? I mean heck - a car with a 250hp engine, only uses 18hp to cruise at 55MPH.

Good question Dan. Adjusting the unloader will lower the pressure. Changing tips is easier. That way, if you need full pressure, all you have to do is pop in a different tip.

[John T.]

Originally Posted by Paul Kassander

We are contemplating building a cold water unit with a smaller HP Gas engine (8-10) that would be capable of producing 5.6gpm @ 1700psi, and another version that would be 8gpm @ 1200psi. This unit would be equipped with a larger remote mount tank and fuel pump instead of the typical top mount gas tank.

Do you have an interest in a product like this?

I think that is a great idea for people who do wood restoration and other type of low pressure cleaning...I guess my next question would be how much would you charge for a machine like this??

[One Tough Pressure]

Originally Posted by plainpainter

Couldn't one just adjust your unloader to the correct pressure - and once achieved - back off the throttle until the engine just 'meets' the required output? I mean heck - a car with a 250hp engine, only uses 18hp to cruise at 55MPH.

Adjusting the unloader will also adjust the flow of the machine. If you want full gpm and lower pressure, then you need to make adjustments with larger orifice tips, or an adjustable wand.

Back off the throttle and you reduce power to the pump which lowers both gpm and psi. It also raises the chance for pump failure on a direct drive unit because of heat transfer from the engine to the pump.

If you were to do it in the way you mentioned, adjusting the unloader and then adjusting the throttle you would limit the machine quite a bit. May as well use a garden hose from there.

Higher water volume packs a bigger punch and moves dirt faster. Not as damaging as psi. A higher volume machine with lower psi will get the job done quicker and save time on the job.

[John Orr]

Originally Posted by John T.

I think that is a great idea for people who do wood restoration and other type of low pressure cleaning...I guess my next question would be how much would you charge for a machine like this??

I don't know what pricing Paul has in mind, but from my own experience in creating one of these machines, the gear-drive pump (Comet) was only $75 more ($350) than a direct-drive AR pump. Since you can get a 4 gpm/3500 psi direct-drive unit from Sam's Club for $987 - with a CAT pump, 13 hp Honda - I would think that $1100 would be about right.

Once you have had more gpm's, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. Build it, they will come!

[Mike Williamson]

Originally Posted by Paul Kassander

We are contemplating building a cold water unit with a smaller HP Gas engine (8-10) that would be capable of producing 5.6gpm @ 1700psi, and another version that would be 8gpm @ 1200psi. This unit would be equipped with a larger remote mount tank and fuel pump instead of the typical top mount gas tank.

Do you have an interest in a product like this?

Either would be well suited for housewashing, but would be pretty limited for flatwork. What market are you targeting with this?