Hot pressure washers

[Rascal]

There has been a bit of chat on another thread about 'super' hot pressure washers. There are lots of other all in one machines from the likes of karcher, nilfisk and independant manufacturers.

Has anyone used them? For general pressure washing is there much point in them? They claim about 12l min at 100 bar or 10l min at 150 bar and temperatures up to 150 degrees.

I'm looking to get a new bit of kit.

 

[Smurf]

They are not the same thing as a doff type system using superheated water nor are they anygood on the likes of block paving cleaning.

 

[Rascal]

I don't see a huge difference myself Smurf? The only difference I can see is the flow rate. Doff etc 6-8l min most of the others 10-12l min. The commercial units claim to be able to reach the same temperature?

I had a go on the Torik and it was good but the general set up was no different to the general set up of other machines from what I can see.

 

[Smurf]

The reason why the doff systems use lower flow, psi and much higher temps than a normal hot pressure washer is so not to damage the substrate. Yes Karcher and others do all in one hot pressure washers but they are nowhere as specialised and more importantly approved for the type of work that a doff can be used for.

 

[Rascal]

So you don't see much use in a hot pressure washer?

I'm not looking to use one for stone cleaning, I've looked into that already.

Just wondered what the general use for hot pressure washers was....

 

[Smurf]

I have a volcano hot box which has a 21lpm heater coil but to be honest I don't find the need to use it much on the type of jobs I get. However that doff would be ideal for so many other types of jobs so not to damage the substrate unlike high flow, psi hot water pressure washers that can easily do.

 

[Smurf]

This is the one I have http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lavor-Volcano-HOT-BOX-Heat-Exchanger-Boiler-/350148297905

 

[Rascal]

What have you used the hot box for? What's the minimum flow it will work with?

 

[John Roberts]

I have used a hired one on paving with heaps of chewing gum stuck to it. They work great for that and I assume would be good for degreasing too.

 

[Smurf]

I've used the volcano hot box on driveways and paving before now and nothing else yet using a delta 15 lpm 3000 psi pressure washer. Not sure what the min flow psi it will work with as I've not tried it but the max is 21lpm at 200 bar. I assume it will run with a much low spec washer just as well as the outlet of the washer just connects to the inlet of the hot box.

Downside it is a beast of a thing to cart about and loading/unloading is fun on your own even when using loading ramps to get it in/out of the van.... Well it is for an old timmer like me anyway /emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[SWCS]

Just be aware that a heated system requires special insurance.

If you accidently spray someone with 150 degree pressurised water it's going to do some damage and you don't want your insurance company saying your not covered.

 

[rshandyman]

I am into one of these systems as well just not sure whether it is worth an investment doing few jobs like that each month