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I use Whisper Wash. I have one that must be 12 years old and never had a problem and one I bought last year.
I have had 2 BE Whirl-Aways and the bearings went in both within 2 years. I also had a Mosmatic SS and it lasted about 5 years. I wouldn't spend my $ on anything but Whisper wash units again.

clay wrote:

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I have a landa water jet I love it takes up alot of room but its worth it

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I have never owned a landa, but I believe they are about the only ones made, that can stand up to or beat the Whisper Wash. I will own my Whisper Wash, while others buy 3 or 4 Hammerheads and 6 or 7 Whirl-A-ways.

OOPS! Don't mean to insult anyone, just giving you, what I consider to be facts, from my pressure washing experience through the years!

From the Distributor's View.......

We have the very least amount of issue with the American made Whisper Wash surface cleaners.  We have found that "you get what you pay for" applies 110% here.  WW offers a standard 1 year guarantee.  The spray bar can be used as a bat to hit a softball without bending.  It is RARE to see one bend.  They use 25 degree IMEG spray nozzles.  Do not go with a spray bar with more than 2 orifices.  You cut down on the cleaning units if you do.

The Whisper Wash models use the NEW cartridge style swivels that no longer need a press to repair and install the bearings.  Instead, a new cartridge can be installed in uder 10 minutes while on the job.  Chinese made models such as the BE and Hammerhead need to have the swivel replaced in 95% of cases.  If you happen to try to repair the swivel on a cheaper SC, the bearings may have worn out and expanded the housing to disallow proper seating of the new repair pieces.  the result is, you may have just performed a repair that does nto actually repair and address the problem.  You should have replaced the Chinese swivel in the first place.

It can handle HEAT!

The Whisper Wash Classic would be a perfect fit for your 4 gallon a minute machine and would last just about forever.

Rarely, if there is ever a problem with a WW, it is taken care of immediately and generously.  Always keep your serial number on your unit on record.

Do not throw out old WW swivels or give them to the repair shop without having been given money for it.  That's right!!!  That used broken swivel is WORTH MONEY and can be rebuilt most of the time.

You are right.  They are a bit more expensive.  However, if you rely on your equipment to send your kids to school or put food on your table and find that you will never recoop down time, get the American made Whisper Wash Surface Cleaner.

Check out the article that Mike Sullivan wrote about Surface Cleaners.  It is AWESOME!

 

Thanks Lori, here's the article.

SURFACE CLEANER GUIDELINES

Use two bar surface cleaners. Three or four bars spreads your power too thin.

I recommend using 15 degree nozzles for the 20-24" surface cleaners and up to 10gpm.

28-36" surface cleaners with 10+gpms use the 25 degree nozzles.

Use the barens nozzle calculator to figure out the correct size nozzles to use for your machine. Divide gpms by two for two bar surface cleaners.

20" surface cleaner: 13-26hp 4-8gpm @ 4000-3000psi

24" surface cleaner: 18-33hp 5.5-10gpm @ 4000-3000psi

28" surface cleaner: 24-40hp 8-13gpm @ 4000-3000psi

36" surface cleaner: 30-53hp 12-17gpm @ 3500-2500psi

http://www.barens.com/cgi-bin/calc

I used this chart and also measured the area of a circle.
From my experience this HP-GPM range for each setup (slow-fast) is pretty accurate.
You will be able to move each one about the same speed for it's range.

Area of circle = pi X radius squared.

20" = 314.159 inches squared
24" = 452.389 inches squared
28" = 615.752 inches squared
36" = 1017.875 inches squared

Your HP & GPM should be directly proportional to the surface area your machine will cover.

28" circle is 2.00 times larger than 20" so you need 2.00 times the HP & GPMs.
36" circle is 3.25 times larger than 20" so you need 3.25 times the HP & GPMs.
36" circle is 2.25 times larger than 24" so you need 2.25 times the HP & GPMs.
36" circle is 1.65 times larger than 28" so you need 1.65 times the HP & GPMs.

If you have more than one machine join them together to make more HP & GPMs.

You'll need a high pressure T and a short whip line.
Both your unloaders must be pressure actuated, and both pumps need to have the same pressure so they will be balanced and run at the same rpms.

If your surface cleaner comes with a 1/4" hose from the gun to the swivel, take it off and replace it with a 3/8" hose. Also the guns on the surface cleaner will eventually wear out and break, and they also restrict your flow slightly. To avoid any problems, take it off and use a quick coupler attached 3/8" heavy duty nickel plated brass 3000psi ball valve.  The other higher pressure ball valves are too stiff.  This one is much easier to turn on and off and it lasts a long time.

Examples:
18hp 5.6gpm @ 3500psi + 13hp 4gpm @ 3500psi = 31hp 9.6gpm @ 3500psi
20hp    8gpm @ 2800psi + 13hp 5gpm @ 2800psi = 33hp  13gpm @ 2800psi
20hp    8gpm @ 2800psi + 11hp 4gpm @ 3000psi = 31hp  12gpm @ 2900psi

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION of 13gpm @ 2800psi on a Maxima 36" concrete cleaner

Using large intakes are especially helpful when running large volume 8+gpm machines.

Use a 2" single union ball valve attached to your bulkhead, attach to a 1-1/2" filter, attach to 1-1/4" - 1" hoses to your machines. Keep your 1-1/4" - 1" hose short as possible for maximum flow intake. 

I recommend 1" intake hose for 4-5.6gpm machines and 1-1/4" for 8+gpms.

Use a 2" PVC pipe attached to your bulkhead if necessary in case your machine is more than a couple of feet away from your bulkhead.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 on Sunday 2nd of October 2011 10:29:08 AM

You're welcome Lori.  Here's some more tips. 

Your pump should be at the same level or lower than your water tank's bulk head so gravity will push the water down into your pump.

Pumps that are higher than the bulk head and have to draw water uphill are not going to perform at maximum output.

Make your pump perform at it's best and flood it with huge even or downhill intakes.

Surface Cleaning is the only time I use high pressure (above 1500psi) and upgrading your nozzles to the more durable ceramic nozzles will pay off in the long run.

They last 10 times longer than stainless steel and only cost twice as much.

 

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 on Wednesday 28th of September 2011 10:23:27 AM

dollarspa wrote:

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Funny thing ....I may have several hot water skids and 5 surface cleaners . I read a post like this I realize how little I know.


Thanks Mike, solid information .....(and Lori)

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 You're welcome David. 

Post your HP, GPM, & PSI of your machines and the brand and size of your surface cleaners and I can help you consolidate your equipment by perhaps joining them together and modifying your surface cleaners to eliminate the need to pay for extra labor running several machines only one a time.

Mike ill post on the pressuse washing forum Chris just created ....I don't think roof cleaners would have much intrest in this subject ...thank for you help

I use a 30" Steel Eagle. It's a work horse that I've had for over 10 years. I thought I was going to have to replace the union recently because it started making a weird humming noise. Replaced the nozzles and it's fine.

I've actually bought TWO hammerheads this year and both have been nothing but trouble....damn bearings keep die- ing , on both 18 and 20 inch.... Been using a 20 inch whisper wash and very happy. BTW...hammerhead bearing replacement only costs about 15.00 if bearings and o-rings bought from ouside suppliers....huge big PITA to replace.