Determine your clients' needs before stocking up on pressure washers.
Pressure washers are equipment that all rental stores no matter the size, should have in their rental fleet. Keeping things clean is so much a part of our every day living that every person who walks in your rental center could have something they could clean with a pressure washer. Having the right mix of pressure washers in a rental fleet will guarantee a high rental volume with a high return on investment.
Before purchasing pressure washers, managers should ask themselves: Is the customer using the pressure washer for home or industrial use? Does the customer need cold or hot water? Will the customer need a gas- or electric-powered unit? Will they be using any accessories or needing detergents?
Homeowners or small contractors tend to rent a direct-drive pressure washer because the compact design makes it easy to load and unload. Direct drive pressure washers are easy to move around the job site.
Most homeowners will rent pressure washers that are 1,000-1,500 pounds per square inch electric or the 2,000-2,400 psi gas because jobs done around the house involve light to moderate cleaning such as cleaning the deck, siding or driveway.
An electric pressure washer is effective when the job is small and portability is not important. An electric pressure washer restricts the pressure to a maximum of 1500 psi at 2 gallons per minute because most homes only have a 120-volt wiring system to plug the unit into. Homeowners will rent 2,000-to 2,400-gas units when the jobs require more pressure and portability. The gas engine does not restrict where you can use the pressure washer as long as you have a water source.
(pounds per square inch)
(gallons per minute)
Small contractors will rent the 2,500-to 3,000-psi coldwater gas-powered units because of their fast-cleaning ability. These units are still small enough for one person to handle. The small contractor will also be removing greases and oils and will want a unit that can provide hot water at 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, industrial users are looking for pressure washers that are portable but also powerful and durable. These operators will rent coldwater units that produce 2,500 to 5000 psi with water flows ranging from 3.5 to 5 gpm or hot water units that produce 2,400 to 3,500 psi.
Carrying the right mix of pressure washers is important, but stocking the appropriate accessories and detergents make the job easier and will increase your rentals and sales.
The most rented accessory on the market is the chemical injector used to apply mild detergents to the affected area. Rental stores should also carry environmentally friendly detergents because they provide an excellent opportunity for additional on sales. Carry an all-purpose cleaner for general cleaning, a heavy-duty degreaser for greases and oils, and a deck and house wash for siding and wood surfaces.
Other accessories to stock include a rotating nozzle because it decreases the time spent stripping paint or cutting through caked-on mud. The rotary surface cleaner, with its large cleaning area, is becoming more popular because it saves time when cleaning flat surfaces. Also a 12, 18, or 24-foot telescoping wand provides a safe and easy way to clean a facility's upper levels.
(psi)
(gpm)
Along with having the right mix of pressure washers in a rental fleet, it is important to educate the customer and store personnel on the dangers of the equipment. Rental store staff should read the safe operating instructions and pass them on to the customer before leaving the rental yard, making the customer aware of the dangers of not operating the equipment properly.
Information provided by Mi-T-M, Peosta, Iowa.
H.E.R.O.
H.E.R.O. Industries manufactures cold-water, gasoline-fueled pressure washers featuring Honda Commercial GX oil-alert engines and General pumps. Five models are available, ranging from 3 gpm at 2,000 psi to 4 gpm at 4,000 psi. Horse-power varies from 5.5 to 13. All units have a thermal protector valve that prevents pump damage from hot water and a thermal protector drain line that directs discharge of hot water.
www.hero.ca • 800/494-4376
RS #405
Graco
The G-Force pressure washers from Graco are available in direct-drive and belt-drive models. The direct-drive line features an upright cart design and is available in 5 models. The belt-drive units are designed for heavy-duty applications and feature a dual-belt drive design with a rail-mounted pump and a spring-loaded isolator foot. All units have a Honda or Briggs & Stratton engine and a General ceramic plunger pump. Standard equipment includes 50 feet of hose, gun, wand and five spray tips.
www.graco.com • 800/690-2394
RS #406
All American
The Streamliner Mark II trailer from All American is a self-contained cleaning system with up to 3,500 psi and up to 500 gallons of water. The unit can be used for numerous applications including multisurface cleaning, graffiti removal and wet sandblasting. Features include 18-gallon diesel and gasoline fuel tanks, a Kohler Commander OHV gasoline engine, a belt-drive pump, a 115-volt generator, dual hose reels with 100 feet of high-pressure water hose, and a tubular steel construction with a powder-coated finish.
www.allamericanequip.com • 800/541-7267
RS #407
Landa
The MHP series from Landa has 7 new models. The units are powered by Honda or Vanguard engines and have flow rates ranging from 3.5 to 4.2 gpm at 2,000 to 3,500 psi. All models are housed in a narrow skid frame less than 25 inches wide and can be enhanced with an optional wheel kit. Standard features include cold-rolled Schedule 80 heating coil, a triplex belt-driven General high-pressure pump, a spring-loaded trigger gun and 50 feet of wire-braid hose.
www.landa-inc.com
800/547-8672
RS #408
Mi-T-M
The CWC Series of belt-drive pressure washers from Mi-T-M come standard with a triplex piston pump with ceramic plungers, removable fuel tank, powder-coated roll cage, 50 feet of steel-wire braided hose, OHV engines and electric start. The pictured unit, model CWC-5004-0MGH delivers 4 gpm at 5,000 psi and is powered by 20-horsepower Honda engine.
www.mitm.com
800/553-9053
RS #409
Goodway
Goodway'sGPW-2000 electric-powered pressure washer delivers a flow rate of 3.4 gpm at 2,000 psi with a 5-horsepower motor and a plunger-type pump. Features include steel-reinforced hose, a stainless-steel wand, five quick disconnect nozzles and a built-in soap container. The unit can use hot water.
www.goodway.com
800/243-7932
RS #410
Shark
The Cyclone attachment for hot- or cold-water, high-pressure washers is a portable, rotating surface washer for cleaning concrete floors and other flat surfaces, says Shark Pressure Washers. The unit operates at volumes and pressures of up to 5 gpm at 4,000 psi and can handle hot water temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The jet spray bar is activated by the force of the high-pressure spray, spins at a rate of 2,000 rpm, has two precision nozzles, and cleans a diameter of 22 inches.
www.shark-pw.com
800/771-1881
RS #411
Alto
Alto Simpson Technology now offers the Pro Blast Series of belt-drive cold-water pressure washers. The series is available in 4 models, ranging from the 2,500-psi Pro Blast 2504 to the 4,000-psi Pro Blast 4003. Features include Honda engines, triplex pumps and easy-to-service unloader valves.
www.alto-online.com
636/530-0871
RS #412
Coleman Powermate
Coleman Powermate's new line of gas-powered pressure washers is available in three series: Premium, Premium Plus and Professional (pictured). The Professional Series is a heavy-duty unit designed to remove paint and clean heavy equipment and concrete. Available in two horizontal models — a 6.5-horsepower unit with 2,700 psi and an 11-horsepower unit with 3,000 psi, the units feature a wheelbarrow design with an attachable basket.
www.colemanpowermate.com
800/445-1805
RS #413
Michigan Power Cleaning
Michigan Power Cleaning's new HPG4050GK is a propane hot-water pressure washer that produces 4 to 4.5 gallons per minute at 5,000 pounds per square inch. The unit is available with a gear-drive General or Cat pump and can operate as a cold washer. Features include a zero-pressure flow unloader, adjustable 200-degree thermostat, twin propane tank brackets and a powder-coated roll cage. The electric start, 18-horsepower Kohler or Honda engine and heater operate on propane. A 3,000-psi model is available.
800/654-0480
RS #414
Epps
The 5535K hot-water pressure washer from Epps Products has an OHC 16-horsepower Kohler engine built to run on propane gas. The unit has a flow rate of 4.3 gpm at 3,500 psi. Other features include a gear-reduction Cat pump and a propane-fired burner.
www.eppsproducts.com
888/826-9191
RS #415
Pro Jet Power Equipment
The model 2703CA pressure washer from Pro Jet Power Equipment delivers 2,500 psi at a full 3 gpm and weighs only 90 pounds. Standard features include a 6.5-horsepoer Honda GX200 engine, 50-foot wire braid hose, 36-inch wand, 6 carbide nozzles, a powder-coated tube frame and a chemical injector. The units are available with the choice of a Cat, General or Comet high-pressure pump.
www.projetpowerwashers.com
253-872-0867
RS #416
