For anyone using this machine for light duty work and sundry, well, frankly, they suck!
I've had two of the them in the last 3 years(the second I haggled for as a replacement unit for the first slightly past the 1 yr. warranty date.) Now the replacement unit is on the blink after very light, periodic seasonal use.
Most (integral) repair parts are proprietary and not available for consumer purchase unless, for instance, you have to buy a replacement pump head at more than 1/3 the cost of the original machine.
Servicing the machine is costly too and one would fare better trashing it, buying something else and putting the money towards a real "power washer"!
My point: I have machines that cost as much as the Karcher and still work effeciently after 15 years of moderate usage. Karcher's (limited) parts distributor has even told me the life of the machine is a mere 20 - 40 hours of light duty. That's absurd!
So, anyone tempted to buy one...don't say I didn't tell you so. These machines are a useless waste of money based on my experience. And the 1300 or 1600 psi they promote is at the nozzle head and decreases almost exponentially the further from the surface you're (attempting) to wash. The machine is a naive attempt to classify accellerated water as a power washer.
Consumer update: 5-22-03
Thanks for your ear and now on to more productive sign dialogue.
Regards,
Fran
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
I'll second that. We had one I think it made it about 4 months. Total junk!
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
May I suggest a KEW power sprayer...I gave nearly $700.00 for it 13 years ago and it's still going strong. Somedays it's used 8 hours a day and always 2 or three times a week for this and that but mostly for washing out silk screens.
All the internal parts are stainless steel and it is manufactured in Sweden.
Oh I also promised my dealer I would spread the word if I liked it. It still delivers 1200+ pounds of pressure with no sign of giving up (knock on wood).At the time I thought man what an expense...is it worth it? Yeah it was worth it ...it's paid us back many times over, just in the expense we've saved by not driving to the car wash twice a week.
If it died tomorrow I couldn't complain (I would on general principal)but I'd pay the same or more for the same product.
I learned a long time ago...you get what you pay for and have never scrimped on tool prices or quality.
Sorry for your experience..good luck with your new KEW unit. Posted by Jim Upchurch (Member # 209) on :
I'll probably get a better one next time but I have had good luck with them even with low water pressure. I usually use them for an hour at a time while cleaning screens. Screenprinting has been half of my business for 18 years and I'm on my second unit. It hasn't shown any signs of fatique. Actually, the first one is still running and I keep it under the house for a backup, just in case.
Posted by Fran Maholland (Member # 3609) on :
Trust me, the concensus from people I've been talking to confirms that Karcher power washers are "junk". I have a silkscreen friend who used to own one too and now has opted for another brand because of the frequent problems and short-life span of their consumer-grade units.
Do yourselves a favor: Spread the warning about Karcher when out shopping near the power wash aisle. I certainly am, but I'll let you know if Karcher makes good on another unit and if it stands the test of time under moderate, light-duty use.
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