| Pressure washers have two main | | | | The fluid is mechanically pushed through the |
| components—the engine and the pump. The | | | | channels on a regular cycle. The pressure and |
| high-pressure pump is the core of the system | | | | volume remain constant. Pressure is created when |
| and a good quality pump, such as a General Pump, | | | | this flow is pushed through the restrictive nozzle |
| will last for years with minimal maintenance. | | | | orifice. The size of the nozzle orifice is chosen for |
| Any pump that puts out pressure over 150 PSI | | | | the desired pressure at the desired flow. If you |
| (pounds per square inch) is considered a | | | | notice a decrease in pressure, check the nozzle |
| high-pressure pump. The most common | | | | for wear before thinking the pump is failing. |
| high-pressure pump is the positive displacement | | | | High-pressure pumps today, such as General |
| reciprocating plunger/piston type pump. General | | | | Pumps, are very robust and when properly |
| pumps are of this design, using solid ceramic | | | | maintained, can be virtually trouble free. |
| plungers. General Pumps come in two basic | | | | What size pump do you need? Pressure washer |
| designs. For medium to heavy home use, the | | | | power is calculated by multiplying the pressure per |
| most popular is the GPEZ series 44 with a triplex | | | | square inch (PSI) by the Gallons per minute (GPM). |
| plunger pump and direct-drive system. They start | | | | The easiest way to determine the right pump |
| at about $300.00. The General Pumps GPT series | | | | size for your engine is to multiply the engine |
| 47 solid shaft pump series 66 is a high flow triplex | | | | horsepower by 1100. This gives the cleaning units |
| pump for belt-driven equipment. This General | | | | (CU’s) that your engine is made to deliver. |
| Pump is preferred in pressure washer applications | | | | (Cleaning units are figured by multiplying GPM x |
| and start at about $500. | | | | PSI.) |
| There are duplex and triplex plunger pumps, but | | | | To keep your General Pump in top shape for |
| the triplex creates a smoother flow and is used | | | | years to come there are some things you should |
| most often with today’s pressure washers. | | | | be careful to do. You should change the oil every |
| Axial pumps are sometimes found on cheaper | | | | 3 to 5 months or after 500 hours of use. This |
| consumer models of pressure washers, and serve | | | | schedule should be maintained AFTER the initial oil |
| the purpose for homeowners who only use them | | | | change, which should be done after the first 50 |
| occasionally, but they are usually just thrown | | | | hours of break-in. |
| away and replaced when broken. If you plan to | | | | You should always flush your General Pump with |
| keep and use your pressure washer regularly, you | | | | clean water after each use and use an |
| are better off with the triplex, ceramic plunger | | | | environmentally friendly anti-freeze. Never store |
| models such as the General Pump Series 66 high | | | | your General Pump with water left in it, and be |
| flow triplex pump. | | | | careful to check the manufacture |
| Positive displacement pumps work with the | | | | recommendations when using strong chemicals in |
| positive displacement of fluid and fixed volume. | | | | the pump. |