Pressure washing tractor?

[ACDII]

Non toxic anti-freeze or compressed air blowout will eliminate the freezing issue.

Yes, just get a gallon of RV antifreeze and suck some of it up. $3 insurance to prevent a cracked pump, and keeps it from rusting too.

I have a Ryobi 3200 PSI gas PW and use a 40* tip to blast it clean, then foam cannon it, and rinse it with the 40*. The only issue I have is when I hit the grease globs and get hit in the face with them. Nasty.

Once every few years I get the 0* tip out and blast the joints on the FEL to remove all the caked up dirt laden grease, then pump all new grease in and wipe it all down. Nasty dirty job, but 20 years now and have not had a single bushing go bad.

 

[Old_Paint]

Remember the saying, “We have done so much for so long with so little that we can now do practically anything with nothing.” ?

I can identify with that. I enjoy fixing things others can't/won't. I think it's called "Red Flag Syndrome" (like waving a red flag in front of a bull), tell me it can't be done.... and I'll show you how!

My versions of those are:

Everyday, do more than is expected of you with less, and soon, you will be expected to do more of everything with nothing.

The second part:

Tell me it can't be done, and I'll say "Hide in the bushes and watch!"

On occasion, the redneck version "Hol' muh beer and watchiss!" comes out. Those are not my better moments in decision making sometimes.

I'll refer you to my tag for more of my favorites.

 

[ACDII]

That last one is on a plaque on our kitchen wall hanging over a big wooden spoon.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I just keep the PW in the heated basement, no freeze issues there.

 

[GeoHorn]

When selecting a pressure washer… less important is the rated pressure…. more important is the rated GPM (gallons per minute). The pressure occurs at the tip of the wand…and if there’s insufficient water-flowing… it’s simply not going to be very effective. A minimum IMO is 2.5 GPM and the more it exceeds that rating the better the machines’ effectiveness regardless of rated pressure.
Not to belabor the point but 3500 psi at 2.0 gpm is not nearly as effective than 2.5 gpm at 2500 psi.

 

[fried1765]

When selecting a pressure washer… less important is the rated pressure…. more important is the rated GPM (gallons per minute). The pressure occurs at the tip of the wand…and if there’s insufficient water-flowing… it’s simply not going to be very effective. A minimum IMO is 2.5 GPM and the more it exceeds that rating the better the machines’ effectiveness regardless of rated pressure.
Not to belabor the point but 3500 psi at 2.0 gpm is not nearly as effective than 2.5 gpm at 2500 psi.

If one can afford a hot PW, it is light years in capability ahead of a cold water PW.

 

[Nicksacco]

Oh yea!
You said a mouthful there.
One of my dream tools....

Hotsy Hot water generator 9462 Model

The 9400 Series heating modules give customers the flexibility to

www.hotsy.com

 

[ACDII]

Totally agree on hot pressure washers! I was going to get some copper tubing and wrap a coil around the chamber of a torpedo heater and make my own, then found out the kids threw it out when I told them to put it on the side. It was a perfectly functioning heater too, no rust.

Those Hotsy washers are nothing more than a vertical torpedo heater with a coil inside, but man, they work wonders cleaning off grease and grime.

 

[fried1765]

Totally agree on hot pressure washers! I was going to get some copper tubing and wrap a coil around the chamber of a torpedo heater and make my own, then found out the kids threw it out when I told them to put it on the side. It was a perfectly functioning heater too, no rust.

Those Hotsy washers are nothing more than a vertical torpedo heater with a coil inside, but man, they work wonders cleaning off grease and grime.

My Hotsy is from the late 70's early 80's, and still works like a charm!

 

[Freeheeler]

I've got mine 3 years ago, I washed it once about 2 years ago. I'm sure I'll wash it again at some point. If the buckets get too dirty I have an old pile of gravel out back. Scoop and empty a few times cleans it nicely.

 

[JimmyJazz]

It looks like a Deck Dolly to me, but I could be wrong.

Universal Deck Dolly for any and all mower decks. - Kyle Peters

Well I ordered that contraption last night at 11 PM and it shipped today from Iowa. Thanks for the help.

 

[Nicksacco]

That's a pretty cool idea

Universal Deck Dolly for any and all mower decks.

Innovative lawn and garden tractor mower deck storage solutions at reasonable prices.

www.deckdolly.com

 

[Dennis.D]

I presume wash mine then take a leaf blower to dry it. We don't baby anything. We baby everything.

 

[Nicksacco]

Totally agree on hot pressure washers! I was going to get some copper tubing and wrap a coil around the chamber of a torpedo heater and make my own, then found out the kids threw it out when I told them to put it on the side. It was a perfectly functioning heater too, no rust.

Those Hotsy washers are nothing more than a vertical torpedo heater with a coil inside, but man, they work wonders cleaning off grease and grime.

So I thought; "surely someone must've done this".
I looked on Youtube and found 2. What a hoot!

 

[GeoHorn]

Solar water heater = Long Black Garden Hose sitting in the sun.

 

[CGMKCM]

I have been using a product like this to winterize my pressure washer. I live near a couple of Northern tool stores so I use there product. Amazon sells several different brands that are compareable to the Northern brand. All brands provide anti-freeze protection and also lubrication for the water pump internals. Very easy to use.
Winterize pressure washer.

 

[58Ford]

S

I soap our B2601 with a foam cannon on the pressure washer. It loosens up the the mud then a water rinse followed with air hose and done. Do the same for the mower deck at the end of the season.
View attachment 68969

Stu,
What’s with the garage door windows? Insulation? Does it work?
Sorry for OT!

 

[woodman55]

Dont keep your pressure washer out in the unheated garage over the winter! No matter how much you think you got all the water out of it when it freezes then you have problems.

My owners manual states to cycle some R.V. antifreeze through it. I have done this every year and never had a issue.

 

[fried1765]

I have been using a product like this to winterize my pressure washer. I live near a couple of Northern tool stores so I use there product. Amazon sells several different brands that are compareable to the Northern brand. All brands provide anti-freeze protection and also lubrication for the water pump internals. Very easy to use.
Winterize pressure washer.

Save a gallon or two of your old auto antifreeze.
Put it in your pressure washer for winter storage.
Free Winter protection.

 

[CGMKCM]

Save a gallon or two of your old auto antifreeze.
Put it in your pressure washer for winter storage.
Free Winter protection.

To each there own.

I would rather pay the $10 and get something tailor made for winterizing and lubricating my pressure washer pump. I get 3 winterizations out of each bottle = $3 per winterization.

Is old used automotive antifreeze compatible with the seals in the pressure washer pump? Do the silicates play well with the pump plungers? Any other contaminants in the old drained stuff?

My owners manual recommends the product I posted and or R.V. anti freeze, I will stick with them.