Here are the 5 advantages of a belt drive pressure washer:

1. Pump spins slower-wear is cut in half when configured as a belt drive instead of direct drive
2. Pump runs cooler-the pump is mounted away from the hot engine case so pump oil will remain much cooler
3. Less vibration -the pump is not  connected directly to the engine therefore is not subject to all the engine vibrations
4. 4.    Serviceability -the hollow shaft on a direct drive pump may seize to the engine shaft which can double service cost, this is not an issue with belt drive pumps
5. Better suction ability-a slower and longer pump plunger stroke pulls water from a tank much better

 A belt drive pressure washer offers a lower overall cost of ownership that the direct drive. When the pump runs slower, cooler, and under less vibration; it will result in extended life of the pressure washer.  Belt drive pumps run at half the speed when connected to a gas engine through pulleys which mean the pump bearings and crank and plunger travel half the distance for every hour the washer is run. The belt drive pumps also hold more oil and it is kept cooler which leads to much longer bearing and crankcase life. The value equation is that the initial purchase price does not go up that much compared to the advantage of a pump that lasts twice as long.  

 It is also important to choose a belt drive pressure washer if your pressure washer will be fed from a water tank instead of a pressurized garden hose. Many of the direct drive washers will need to be “primed” to get the pump to spray water and will lose prime easily unless the water tank is mounted above the pump, and has fittings that are larger than the standard ¾” garden hose adapter that it comes with. In our experience we have found that many times a direct drive pressure washer that meets test specification when pressure fed, will not hit the same performance when fed from a tank.

 A direct drive pump powered by an electric motor does not have as much of a negative impact from heat and vibration as one powered by a gasoline engine. Some direct drive electric powered units have motors that spin at a lower speed (1725 rpm) and can be a good choice when used less than 20 hours per week.

By using E15 fuel, you could cause major damage to your pressure washer. This new fuel is 15% ethanol and can lead to damage to your pressure washer engine and can result in voiding of the warranty.

Visit the link below to an article with additional information:

http://www.newequipment.com/Main/TopStories/E15-Ethanol-Can-Cause-Irreversible-Damage-to-Lawnm-60.aspx

There has been a rule change regarding diesel fired pressure washers operating within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) which will be helpful to owners and operators of diesel fired pressure washers.

The old rule required a permit for the operation of all diesel fired pressure washers within the district that cost between $1200 – $1500 per year because it considered pressure washers to be in the same category as large industrial boilers. The SCAQMD has now created a new classification for pressure washers.

All Hydro Tek pressure washers less than 550,000 BTU fall under this new category simply by adding an additional hour meter to the burner to monitor the burner use. These items can be purchased as a factory installed option for new machines or can be retrofit to your existing unit.

Under this new ruling pressure washers that fall under this category are now exempt from the permit and only require submittal of a form for information and a filing fee. The information required includes a description of the equipment, facility data, and other information that will be used to improve emissions inventory. All of this information can be obtained from the manufacturer of your pressure washer. The initial filing fee is $173.56; the SCAQMD will automatically send an annual invoice for subsequent years of operation. 

For additional information about the filing program or to request filing forms, contact:

Winnie Cho with the SCAQMD by email wcho@aqmd.gov or at (909) 396-2547.

You can also contact the Hydro Tek sales team (800) 274-9376.

Also, for hot water machines, care must be given to also ”lean out” the diesel fuel delivery system. At lower altitudes (3000 to 4500 ft) one can lean out the fuel delivery by lowering the fuel pressure while checking the burn quality with an exhaust gas sampling devise, and the diesel fuel pressure with a pressure gauge. Above 4500 feet however, one should reduce this fuel delivery with nozzle size reductions as diesel fuel pressures should not drop below 100 psi to insure good fuel atomization.

Hydro Tek is in a unique position, because we are located in Southern California, we are able to test our pressure washers in our local mountains. This has been a great advantage to develop and offer systems to various customers who require the use of their pressure washers in high elevations.

 Part #s for these kits are:

AMK27 – 27HP Kohler

AMS34 – 31 HP Vanguard

AMS33 – 14 HP Vanguard

AMS31 – 18 HP Vanguard

AMS32 – 21 HP Vanguard

For additional information please contact the Hydro Tek sales team at (909) 799-9222 ext.) 3.

Part# AHB40, List price $95