Switched from Expensive Karcher to Cheap Ryobi w/ Upgrades... very pleased!
05-28-17, 09:34 AM
#1
Switched from Expensive Karcher to Cheap Ryobi w/ Upgrades... very pleased!
The Karcher X Series...
About 4 years ago I bought a Karcher X Series (K5.540) , 2000 PSI, 1.4 GPM unit to be used for car washing. This was my first electric pressure washer, and I figured I would buy the "top of the line" expensive model so I wouldn't have any regrets later. Well, I screwed up....
The Karcher unit was... fine. I mean it sprayed water at higher pressure, so I suppose it functioned, but after fighting with it for so long, that is about the only good thing I can say about it. The hose was a stiff, cheap product that would never lay flat. It always tried to retain the coiled up shape even when it was uncoiled. Thanks to Karcher's unique connections, the only option that I had found to replace the hose was with another Karcher hose... so I was stuck with it. The spray gun and wand were also cheap, flimsy products. The variable pressure wand is a nice idea, however I only utilized the widest fan setting, so the variable settings were not needed by any means. Again, thanks to the Karcher connections, I was also stuck with this gun. The attachment on the PW body to hold the gun while it was being stored fell off regularly, as did the hook to hang the extension cord on. This was an issue from day one. Very cheaply made, poorly designed pieces. In the end, it was the power cord that gave up on me, and instead of spending $20 to fix it, I sold the entire unit for $30 on craigslist. I just wanted it gone. Time to start over.
My inspiration...
I had watched some videos by Matt on Obsessed Garage where he went over a lot of the research he had done on pressure washer fittings, wands, guns, hoses, etc. and I became intrigued. I knew my next setup needed to incorporate some higher end components (hose and gun, specifically) so I would not have the same complaints as I did with the Karcher unit. I have always been a fan of the MTM Foam Cannons, so I spent some time on their site and the OG site checking out fittings, hoses, and guns. I liked what I saw so I decided to get to work....
The Cheap Ryobi...
I went to my local home depot and picked up the cheapest pressure washer they had. A 1600 PSI, 1.2 GPM Ryobi unit (product link). This unit retails for $119, but I had a coupon and got it for $101 + tax. I knew I would not be using the included hose or gun, I just needed the unit itself. This little thing is a great, compact size. It is very lightweight and easy to move around, unlike the overweight karcher unit I had previously.
Upgrading the Ryobi...
The output of the Ryobi PW is an M22 male thread where the supplied Ryobi hose would typically connect. Since I would not be using this hose, I needed to convert the M22 thread to a 3/8" coupler as that is a common size found on most higher end hoses. From there I needed the use the appropriate fittings to connect the hose to the pressure washer, and the hose to my new MTM SG-28 Spray Gun. A 1/4" coupler was added to the output of the spray gun to allow for easy changes between spray nozzles and foam cannons. The following photo shows the full layout of parts. Click here to download the PDF with links to all parts and a 2nd option to upgrade your hose and gun.
Some of the parts once they arrived....
Just put the new setup to the test today, and I am very pleased!!!
(Used with MTM Hydro PF22 Foam Cannon and Optimum Car Wash. 40* Nozzle used for rinsing)
Initial Impressions of the New Setup...
Man is it nice to have a 50' hose! Man is it nice to have a hose that doesn't get twisted and tangled! Man is it nice to have a PW that doesn't fall over!
Alright, so I do not have a hose reel on this new unit. This means I have to connect and disconnect the high pressure hose each time I use it which adds a couple of minutes to my job, but I sort of prefer it this way. The PW unit remains very compact and lightweight without the hose reel. I simply roll up my hose and hang it on a hook inside my garage above the pressure washer, just like I do with my garden hose. My foam lance and spray gun have spots on my pegboard.
The SG-28 spray gun is very nice. While it is still a completely plastic body, the build quality is much better than the Karcher gun. It just feels sturdy. There isn't a bunch of play in the trigger.
The connectors and fittings are very solid. No leaks, and no issues connecting or disconnecting anything during setup, use, and tear down.
Financials...
Karcher X Series: $292 (on ebay)
Ryobi + MTM Parts: $101 + $142 = $243
So for a similar price, I feel the Ryobi (or other similar inexpensive unit) with the upgraded components is absolutely the right way to go!
About 4 years ago I bought a Karcher X Series (K5.540) , 2000 PSI, 1.4 GPM unit to be used for car washing. This was my first electric pressure washer, and I figured I would buy the "top of the line" expensive model so I wouldn't have any regrets later. Well, I screwed up....
The Karcher unit was... fine. I mean it sprayed water at higher pressure, so I suppose it functioned, but after fighting with it for so long, that is about the only good thing I can say about it. The hose was a stiff, cheap product that would never lay flat. It always tried to retain the coiled up shape even when it was uncoiled. Thanks to Karcher's unique connections, the only option that I had found to replace the hose was with another Karcher hose... so I was stuck with it. The spray gun and wand were also cheap, flimsy products. The variable pressure wand is a nice idea, however I only utilized the widest fan setting, so the variable settings were not needed by any means. Again, thanks to the Karcher connections, I was also stuck with this gun. The attachment on the PW body to hold the gun while it was being stored fell off regularly, as did the hook to hang the extension cord on. This was an issue from day one. Very cheaply made, poorly designed pieces. In the end, it was the power cord that gave up on me, and instead of spending $20 to fix it, I sold the entire unit for $30 on craigslist. I just wanted it gone. Time to start over.
My inspiration...
I had watched some videos by Matt on Obsessed Garage where he went over a lot of the research he had done on pressure washer fittings, wands, guns, hoses, etc. and I became intrigued. I knew my next setup needed to incorporate some higher end components (hose and gun, specifically) so I would not have the same complaints as I did with the Karcher unit. I have always been a fan of the MTM Foam Cannons, so I spent some time on their site and the OG site checking out fittings, hoses, and guns. I liked what I saw so I decided to get to work....
The Cheap Ryobi...
I went to my local home depot and picked up the cheapest pressure washer they had. A 1600 PSI, 1.2 GPM Ryobi unit (product link). This unit retails for $119, but I had a coupon and got it for $101 + tax. I knew I would not be using the included hose or gun, I just needed the unit itself. This little thing is a great, compact size. It is very lightweight and easy to move around, unlike the overweight karcher unit I had previously.
Upgrading the Ryobi...
The output of the Ryobi PW is an M22 male thread where the supplied Ryobi hose would typically connect. Since I would not be using this hose, I needed to convert the M22 thread to a 3/8" coupler as that is a common size found on most higher end hoses. From there I needed the use the appropriate fittings to connect the hose to the pressure washer, and the hose to my new MTM SG-28 Spray Gun. A 1/4" coupler was added to the output of the spray gun to allow for easy changes between spray nozzles and foam cannons. The following photo shows the full layout of parts. Click here to download the PDF with links to all parts and a 2nd option to upgrade your hose and gun.
Some of the parts once they arrived....
Just put the new setup to the test today, and I am very pleased!!!
(Used with MTM Hydro PF22 Foam Cannon and Optimum Car Wash. 40* Nozzle used for rinsing)
Initial Impressions of the New Setup...
Man is it nice to have a 50' hose! Man is it nice to have a hose that doesn't get twisted and tangled! Man is it nice to have a PW that doesn't fall over!
Alright, so I do not have a hose reel on this new unit. This means I have to connect and disconnect the high pressure hose each time I use it which adds a couple of minutes to my job, but I sort of prefer it this way. The PW unit remains very compact and lightweight without the hose reel. I simply roll up my hose and hang it on a hook inside my garage above the pressure washer, just like I do with my garden hose. My foam lance and spray gun have spots on my pegboard.
The SG-28 spray gun is very nice. While it is still a completely plastic body, the build quality is much better than the Karcher gun. It just feels sturdy. There isn't a bunch of play in the trigger.
The connectors and fittings are very solid. No leaks, and no issues connecting or disconnecting anything during setup, use, and tear down.
Financials...
Karcher X Series: $292 (on ebay)
Ryobi + MTM Parts: $101 + $142 = $243
So for a similar price, I feel the Ryobi (or other similar inexpensive unit) with the upgraded components is absolutely the right way to go!
Last edited by zmcgovern4; 05-28-17 at 09:38 AM.
05-28-17, 11:12 AM
#2
Nice!
Zach, we have been using those Ryobis for years at my work. We have that same exact model that we take on mobile jobs, and currently use the 2000psi models at the shop (they're under $200 at Home Depot). The non-kink hoses are an absolute must as is the MTM foam cannon.
In the past years we used the 1700psi ryobi model but stopped buying those because the motors are EXTREMELY loud compared to the 2000psi model.
The only downside is that they start leaking after about a year if you heavily use them but that's why you get the 3 year protection plan for something like $10-15 bucks.
I bought the exact same setup we use at work for my house to make washing super easy.
Zach, we have been using those Ryobis for years at my work. We have that same exact model that we take on mobile jobs, and currently use the 2000psi models at the shop (they're under $200 at Home Depot). The non-kink hoses are an absolute must as is the MTM foam cannon.
In the past years we used the 1700psi ryobi model but stopped buying those because the motors are EXTREMELY loud compared to the 2000psi model.
The only downside is that they start leaking after about a year if you heavily use them but that's why you get the 3 year protection plan for something like $10-15 bucks.
I bought the exact same setup we use at work for my house to make washing super easy.
05-29-17, 05:56 AM
#3
I too have a Karcher K5 and I agree with a majority of the sentiments made here! However, the biggest selling point for me was the fact the Karcher is able to siphon water from source (like a bucket of water), pressurize it and spray it. This has made a load of difference in the winter when my outside water faucet is frozen.
Normally, I would use a waterless wash process (which I've never been a fan of). Now, I just have to stick the Karcher siphon tube into a bucket of clean, warm water and refill the bucket as the level gets too low. This also allows me to foam and knock off any salt and sand! Best of all, it can also foam and pressure wash under my car and remove even more salt and sand.
That said, the Karcher hose is a massive pain!!!
Normally, I would use a waterless wash process (which I've never been a fan of). Now, I just have to stick the Karcher siphon tube into a bucket of clean, warm water and refill the bucket as the level gets too low. This also allows me to foam and knock off any salt and sand! Best of all, it can also foam and pressure wash under my car and remove even more salt and sand.
That said, the Karcher hose is a massive pain!!!
06-01-17, 11:36 AM
#5
The cost for a new hose, instead of those cheap plastic, tangled mess, tripping hazards, caught under tires, kink, are worth every penny. Looks like a trip to HD is in the cards! Thanks Zach for the great review.
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06-16-17, 02:13 PM
#8
Thanks for the review! I've been looking to get a pressure washer and this Ryobi looks good. It looks small enough that I could take it with me to do the occasional mobile wash.
By the way, did you always have an IS-F? For some reason I thought you had an IS250 or IS350.
By the way, did you always have an IS-F? For some reason I thought you had an IS250 or IS350.
06-16-17, 07:13 PM
#9
Originally Posted by Kira X
Thanks for the review! I've been looking to get a pressure washer and this Ryobi looks good. It looks small enough that I could take it with me to do the occasional mobile wash.
By the way, did you always have an IS-F? For some reason I thought you had an IS250 or IS350.
By the way, did you always have an IS-F? For some reason I thought you had an IS250 or IS350.
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Kira X (06-17-17)
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