Getting Started with the Hot Water Power Washer

Okay, so I finally got around to tackling that greasy mess on the workshop floor and some caked-on grime on the tractor. Decided it was time to break out the hot water power washer. It's a bit more involved than the cold water one, but for certain jobs, it's the only way.

First thing, I rolled the unit out. It's a hefty machine, not like those little electric ones. Checked the engine oil, made sure the fuel tank (diesel for the burner, gasoline for the engine on this model) had enough juice. Didn't want to run out halfway through.

Next up, connections.

• Hooked up the main water supply hose from the spigot to the washer's inlet. Checked for leaks – always check for leaks.
• Connected the high-pressure hose from the machine's outlet to the spray wand. Made sure that connection was really tight. You don't want that popping off under pressure.
• Selected the right nozzle tip. Started with a wider spray pattern, maybe a 25-degree, just to be safe. You can always switch to a tougher one if needed.

Firing It Up and Getting to Work

Alright, time to start it. Pulled the cord for the gas engine, let it warm up for a minute just like a lawnmower. Then, the main event: flipped the switch for the burner. You hear a different sound, a sort of roar, as the diesel burner kicks in to heat the water. It takes a bit, maybe a minute or two, before you start getting really hot water coming out.

I started on the workshop floor, where some oil had spilled and gotten ground in. Squeezed the trigger on the wand. Wow, you can see the difference immediately. The hot water, combined with the pressure, just started melting that grease away. Cold water usually just pushes it around, you know? This was lifting it. Had to move methodically, back and forth, overlapping the strokes slightly.

Moved outside to the tractor next. It had thick, dried mud mixed with some hydraulic fluid stains on the loader arms. Same process. The heat really helped soften that baked-on mud. It came off in sheets instead of just chipping away. You get a lot of steam, especially on a cooler day, which looks pretty impressive, honestly.

Observations and Finishing Up

A few things I noticed:

• It uses more fuel, obviously, because of the burner. Something to keep in mind for big jobs.
• You gotta be more careful with hot water. It can damage softer materials or paint if you're not paying attention or use too narrow a nozzle stream. Keep a good distance.
• Definitely wear proper gear. Boots, eye protection are essential. Gloves are a good idea too because the wand can get warm.

After I was satisfied with the cleaning, I shut down the burner first, let the machine run cool water through for a minute or so to cool down the coil. Then shut off the main engine. Relieved the pressure in the system by squeezing the trigger on the wand (make sure the engine is off!). Disconnected the water supply, then the high-pressure hose. Drained the hoses as best I could. Gave the machine a quick wipe-down and rolled it back into storage.

The floor looks much better, and the tractor hasn't been this clean in ages. The hot water function makes a huge difference on greasy, oily stuff. More setup, more fuel, but for tough cleaning, it's worth the extra steps.