I have a 9hp, Honda PW from Northern Tool in their Northstar* brand and it is flawless, but then, it's a Honda. The Cat brand pump is better, but $150 more than the Comet pump. I bought mine with the Comet pump and it works fine for home/ranch work.
Price=HP=Pressure. I have run 12hp PW's and you can almost cut your initials in cement with them. My 9HP is very powerful, but peeling bark would be at it's limit I believe. $500 might not get you anything but disappointment, so you might want to rent a 5hp for the day FIRST before you invest.
