Does any one have experience with pressure washers. I am about to purchase one. My first project is to peel the bark from the cedar post for my enterance project. I also tank it will be handy around the shop for other cleaning projects. This is the one I am considering but have not shopped around much. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=248622-348-20295&lpage=none
My cutoff budget for this purchase is 500$
any sugestions or first hand experience.
Thanks in advance

I talked to a guy the other day who has bought several of them and a bunch of water pumps for his business. His experience: If it doesn't have a Honda motor, don't mess with it.

Thanks Dave, perhaps I should reconsider and purchase this one I found first instead. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200241274_200241274

It is in the same price range and is advertized to be a little less powerfull but does have a honda engine. In the long run I'll probably be better off with the honda vers the briggs. Thanks

Agree the Honda is hard to beat. The only engine I like better is the Robin Subaru. Kawasaki is not far behind.

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.

Any gas powered pressure washer has more than enough pressure to peel bark. However, the little ones lack the GPM needed to move things. When you look at specs, favor GPM more than pressure.

I bought a Clean N Carry from Sears, which I can't find on the web now. I want to say I paid right around 200 for it. Works really well, but the gas tank is small and doesn't run terribly long on a single tank. I had a hose for detergent, not a bottle like this one. I've been relatively happy with it, peeled back concrete when I left it in one spot too long.

I agree with double camp. you should rent one first before you buy one. Make sure it will do what you want it to do before you buy it. Some of the smaller units are limited in their applications.

bobad, it takes hp to push gpm. Same issue. So, more gpm, then more hp. Either way, it means more money, just like I said.

Exactly right! In fact, GPM and HP are so closely related, that a formula to convert GPM to HP could easily be made.

I was just pointing out that GPM does the big work, not pressure. Excessively high pressure robs GPM, and is not that useful for most applications.

I purchased this one. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200241274_200241274

It ripped the bark off like cutting butter. I added the turbo nozzle also. It makes me feel powerfull when I'm holding it, don't mess with me I'm dangerous.