The washers are machines capable of spraying high pressure water for cleaning a variety of elements. Not only are they 10 to 50 times more powerful than a garden hose, they also have the advantage of using up to 80% less water.
The first models of pressure washers appeared about 60-70 years ago and since then they have been applied in various tasks, such as removing loose paint, mold, dust, mud and dirt from objects such as vehicles of all kinds and from concrete surfaces, masonry and coverings for floors, ceilings and walls of homes, buildings and other constructions.
The hidro lavadoras work in a very simple way: the water emerges and pressurized high speed through a hose whose one end is connected thin nozzle, producing a jet of great force to dislodge soil. Most models also allow the addition of detergent and other cleaning products (including sand), which increases the cleaning power of the jet.
The central element of every pressure washer is a motor, which, in turn, drives a pump that pressurizes the water, so that the pressure emerging from the nozzle is at a much higher pressure than when it entered the pressure washer. Depending on the type of power supply of this engine, we can group these machines into two large categories. You can purchase a best pressure washer under 300 if you don’t have much budget.
Electric pressure washers: the motor works with the electricity provided by a nearby outlet and therefore, these machines have a power cable that restricts their movement over large surfaces. They are light models, suitable for cleaning jobs that do not require too much power. They are typically quieter, lighter, and easier to start than gasoline models, features that make them ideal for indoor work.
Fuel pressure washers: they incorporate an internal combustion engine and the current offer varies from medium performance models to ultra-high performance models. They offer the benefit of greater power and greater mobility, as they do not require an electrical outlet. They employ a manual starting system or, on some heavy duty models, an electric starter motor. Even other models can generate hot water, which can be great for loosening and removing grease and oil. Due to the dangerous nature of engine exhaust gases, these machines are not suitable for indoors or places that lack good ventilation.
Most of today’s pressure washers connect to an existing water supply, such as a garden hose, but some manufacturers incorporate a water tank attached to the machine. There is usually an on / off switch that controls the water flow and many models even allow you to adjust the water pressure.
In addition to the motor and high-pressure pump, all pressure washers have a high-pressure hose and lance, at the end of which is a gun -type trigger switch, to which various types of nozzles can be connected.
- Spray Nozzles – Many models come with detergent and spray options at 0º, 15º and 40º, offering different high pressure cleaning applications.
High Pressure Hose – One end of this hose connects to the water pump and the other end to the spray gun.
3. Pressure Control Knob – Allows you to vary the spray pressure.
4. Water inlet: is the connection for the water supply through a garden hose.
5. High pressure outlet: this is the connection for the high pressure hose supplied with the machine.
6.Pump: is the element that produces high pressures. There are basically two types of pumps, axial cam and triplex. Triplex pumps are typically found in pressure washers designed for commercial use due to their longer life and efficiency.
7. Oil level indicator: it must be checked periodically, since the useful life of the engine depends on this.
8. Filter / tube for detergent suction: used to suction the detergent safely in the low pressure circuit.
9. Choke Lever – Prepares cold engine for starting.
10. Fuel valve: used to activate or deactivate the fuel supply to the engine.
eleven. Motor and Manual Starter: The starter is used to start the motor manually.
12. Throttle Lever – Puts engine into manual start mode.
13. Engine switch: it is of the “On / Off” type that allows manual starting and stopping of the engine, respectively.
14. Air filter: protects the engine, filtering dust and debris from the air intake.
15. Fuel tank: Care should be taken to fill with regular unleaded fuel and allow sufficient space for fuel expansion.
16. Spray gun and lance: controls the application of water on the surface to be cleaned with the trigger and allows you to switch between several different spray nozzles.
Pressure Washer Parameters
The power of a gasoline pressure washer motor is measured in HP (horsepower), while the power of an electric pressure washer motor is measured electrical power is measured in W (Watts) or kW (Kilo Watts). It is clear that the higher these parameters, the more powerful the machine will be.
The flow rate of pressurized water emerging from a pressure washer is expressed in gallons (GPM) or liters per minute (LPM), is often designed at the pump and is not variable. The pressure, expressed in pounds per square inch (PSI), megapascals (MPa), or bar, is designed at the pump, but can be varied by adjusting the relief valve. Multiplying the flow rate by the pressure gives an indication of the strength of the pressure washer. The market has machines that produce pressures of 750 to 3000 PSI (5 to 20 MPa) or more.
According to the application that we want to give to a pressure washer, the following table can guide us about the flow rate that we should choose for our machine.
