The best winterization method is to keep the pressure washer in a warm space and out of the elements. For those who do not have this luxury, we recommend the following:

Run a 50-50 mix of automotive anti-freeze through the machine. Be sure to take put the chemical hose in the float tank to draw some anti-freeze through it and shut the gun after you see anti-freeze flowing out the end of the lance. This will ensure the by-pass system gets freeze protection. Some of our customers use window shield washer fluid because it is less expensive than anti-freeze. You may also blow the water out of the system. This is a brief and simple description of how to winterize your unit but it is not all inclusive. Your best bet is to call 208-459-3464 or email sales@vikingindustrial.com with a description of your machine.

Service always comes before sales. We’ve proven that for decades. Also, 10,000 sq ft. of our 17,400 sq. ft. office/warehouse is dedicated to service and parts. All of our service vans and pickups are outfitted with repair parts and hydraulic lift gates. Our service techs are factory trained and local people.

We also have Hotsy parts, Hotsy service and Landa parts and Landa service.

One of the most common and costly repairs to pressure washers is by-pass heat damage. This happens when the machine is running but the trigger gun is shut. Like any hydraulics in by-pass mode, tremendous heat is generated from the friction of the liquid movement.  As the water temperature in the by-pass rises, your pump begins to cavitate. This in turn damages valves, seals, ceramic pistons and even the unloader valve. Generally, it is more cost affective to replace the pump and unloader rather than repair them.

The Solution:
Hydro Tek HD series (make the HD and HP clickable please) belt driven machines, by-pass the water through the float tank for cooling. Our severe duty HP series machines include timed delay shutdown systems as standard. When the trigger gun is shut, an adjustable timer is actuated and will shut the whole machine off if the trigger gun is not re-opened within a pre-set amount of time. Then simply pull the trigger again and the whole machine will re-start automatically without having to go back to the unit.

We recommend no longer than 2-3 minutes for most pressure washers. Pressure washing a roof is usually done with a cold water gas engine drive machine. The operator is usually on the roof and can’t get to the machine to shut it off when  the gun is shut.

For portable electric motor direct drive, hot pressure washers, consider buying the Hydro tek models HD-15002-E1C and model no. HD-22004E2H with complete machine shut down and automatic trigger re-start.

Hydro  Tek HD belt drive series have the by-pass water routed through the float tank for cooling.

HP series Hydro  Tek hot pressure washer steamers are outfitted with adjustable timed delay shutdown. If the timed delay shutdown is set to shut off at one minute, the whole machine will shut off. When your operator is ready to resume cleaning, he simply pulls the trigger and the whole machine starts up again. You don’t have to go back to the machine to re-start it.  It’s auto magic.

First of all, it's important to understand what each of these acronymns means, HP stands for horsepower, PSI for pounds per square inch and GPM for gallons per minute.

The HP of a pressure washer is sufficient to produce both the pressure at which the water is released (PSI) and the number of gallons per (GPM). For example, a 2 HP motor can produce 2.1 GPM @ 1,600 PSI or it can produce 3.0 GPM @ 1,100 PSI. Cleaning power is a function of both volume and pressure.

That’s where a good experienced pressure washer salesman comes in. He will be able to tell you which pressure washer is the best for your application.

Viking Industrial Systems will demonstrate the right unit at your place of business so you can try it out on your particular cleaning problem. This is a “hands-on” approach for you that will leave no doubt as to the ability of the pressure washer to do what you need it to do.

The measurement units of cleaning power is an easy way to rate pressure washers. To determine the units of cleaning power for a machine, multiply the psi by the gpm. This calculation helps you compare the different pressure washers. It’s important to keep in mind that this doesn’t take into consideration the affect that hot water has on cleaning. Cleaning is really all about heat.

For example, let’s say you are considering one washer with 2 gpm @ 3,000 psi and another washer with 4 gpm @ 2,000 psi. The units of cleaning power on the first washer a 6,000, while the second unit has 8,000 of cleaning energy. The second machine is more powerful and could be the best choice for your needs. But again, check with your experienced pressure washer salesman.

Examples:

Units of Cleaning Energy (uce's)

Gasoline engines are best when you need a portable unit. Electric motors emit no exhaust or fumes, they are ideal for indoor use. We have built many trailer mounted systems with both gas engine or diesel engine drive systems for maximum portability. Diesel engine systems typically are provided for the toughest applications and are designed to run in excess of 40 hours a week. These units will have either a 12 volt burner system that derives it’s electrical power from a 20 amp (alternator) on the engine itself. Or a 110 volt burner system with a built in generator. Almost all manufacturers use a 2000 watt generator but Hydro Tek provides a 2900 watt generator allowing you to run small tools and/or lights.

Belt drive, direct drive, PTO drive, gear drive.

For our purposes here, we’ll touch on direct drive versus belt drive.
The drive refers to how the pumps is connected to the power source, such as a gasoline engine or electric motor. Direct drive means that the pump is connected to the power source, such as a gasoline engine or electric motor. A belt drive system transfers energy from the power source to the pump along an intermediate belt.

Direct drive pumps are more compact and cost less than belt drive pumps. These systems are cheaper for pressure washer manufacturers to make compared to belt drive.

The advantages to belt drive over direct drive are:

1. The pump is separated from the motor, protecting the pump from added stress or damage due to the torque affect of the motor.
2. Belt drive pumps generally operate at  a lower rpm so the pump lasts longer.
3. The belts act as shock absorbers between the pump and motor. Drive belts can flex as much as 1/25”’s on start and stop.

The simple fact is that good cleaning is all about heat. Think of the last time you rinsed off a plate after having a steak. Nothing moved until the hot water hit it. This is the best graphic example I can come up with. It’s just this apparent with cold water versus hot. Having said this, we do concede that there are applications for cold pressure washers, but nothing a little heat wouldn’t augment.

Hot water decreases cleaning time. All of our detergents are formulated to work best under high pressure with hot water. Hot water not only helps to emulsify greases, oils and hydro carbons but it kills bacteria if hot enough.

Almost all of Hydro Tek’s models are high pressure hot-cold-steam in one unit.

The answer to this question will always be answered by you, the customer.

Actually there are portables that may be trailer or truck mounted. Mobile is more like a gas engine cold water machine, diesel fired hot pressure washer with wheels for shops or a small electric home-owners units.

Hot water stationary pressure washers are ideal for shop applications. The machine sits in one spot, never moves.  This way, your brother in law can’t borrow it and take it home and break it. Water and natural gas (LP or diesel are available) and electrical are hard plumbed and wired to the pressure washer. The convenience is obvious, punch a button and go to work. The down side is that you have to take your cleaning problem to the pressure washer.

1. Safety Relief Valve
2. Burst disc
3. GFCI
4. Trigger gun system
5. High temperature shut down
6. Float tank / anti siphon
7. Thermostat or high limit shut down
8. ETLM certification (UL)
9. Timed delay shutdown

I'm glad you asked. Here are a few:

1. Hose reels-low and high pressure, machine mounted, truck or trailer mounted, wall or floor mounted, hand crank or power re-wind.
2. Lances from 12” to 79”. Telescoping from 8’ to 24’. Hydro Tek’s new sectional, rigid, lance, adjustable pressure lances, gutter cleaner attachment.
3. Nozzles: Turbo nozzles, different fan nozzles, adjustable fan nozzles.
4. Extra long hoses
5. Quick couplers and high pressure swivels
6. Job matched chemicals

   Fleet wash liquids

   Brush wash powders

   Concrete floor cleaners

   Concrete truck cleaners

   Aluminum brightening acids

   Truckers aluminum polish/sealer

   Vent hood cleaners for restaurants

   Degreaser/cleaner

7. Sand blasters that attach to your wand
8. Handles and brushes
9. Down stream injectors
10. Wall mounted injectors and chemical spray units
11. Flat surface cleaners and undecarriage cleaners

This varies as to the amount of use. Change the oil in your high pressure pump and engine at 100 hours and then every 500 hours. Tune the engine as recommended by the specific engine manufacturer.

Our best recommendation is to buy from an established pressure washer distributor like us. This way you are covered for the inevitable service situations that will come up over time.