Well, I've done some homework. The table in the link below is pretty much self-explanatory (it is sorted by total price which includes tax/shipping).

If the Troy-Bilt had a Honda engine my choice would have been much easier; what do you think about the Intek versus the Honda?

Although the Karcher 4000 is pretty economical (cheap in terms of $ per Cleaning units), it still carries an expensive price tag.

If you guys steer me away from the B&S Intek, it looks like the Karcher 3101 is my next choice.

I'd appreciate getting your feedback and/or experience with any of these.

Thanks,
Zevi.

I totally agree about the pump -- it is the critical element of the washer. However, I'm not sure I follow your comment about "axial ones" versus "piston pumps": Are all axial pumps bad? Karcher and others have high-end expensive washers with axial pumps.

Thanks,
Zevi.

You can't go be $ per psi or cleaning power IMHO as that is only for as long as it lasts, and assumes it makes spec. If you want good stuff go for a ceramic plunger pump, not an axial or wobble plate pump (which a lot of companies have no started calling piston pumps to make them sound more like plunger pumps). CAT is probably the best, but not by as much as they used to be. Comet, AR, General, are all pretty good in plunger pumps. Personally I like more flow rather than more pressure, as it will clean as well or better and not be as likely to damage things. It is very rare that you would need more than 2500/3000 psi, and 1500 will do most things very well. A cheap pump unit will probably cost you much more in the long run, even if it looked good on paper to start.

As far as pump type, I have to admit that I'm quite confused: plunger, piston, axial -- I am having hard time comparing apples with apples here. DeWalt call their pump "Heavy-duty commercial grade pump", but when I actually go to have a close look at it -- it is of brand "Cat." Ryoby says they have "Direct Drive 3 Piston,Axial Cam " (I can't tell what the pistons are made of -- ceramic or steel) -- but they are the only ones giving me 3 years warranty! Karcher is a good quality washer (other than the cheapo models, I think) -- and they have their own "high-performance commercial-grade direct-drive axial pump". I even called their tech support to ask about the pump... Let me just say that I hope their German side who make the washer is smarter than the local door-knob whom I talked to...

(I think I'm losing it...)

Thanks,
Zevi.

The easiest thing to do is to go the websites of the manufacturers and look at the parts explosions for the pumps to see how they are built. The last time I looked, all the major manufacturers had that info on line.

Start with the Dewalt unit, for instance. Get the model number off the CAT pump they use and go to the CAT pump website and lookup the pump and information. CAT has always been the premier pump manufacturer in the industry, and still makes very good stuff that can actually be repaired and rebuilt as needed. Top of the line CAT pumps will outlast even a Honda with a little maintenance.

The warranties on these units are not a good indication of quality. A normal homeowner only uses a washer 5-10 hours a year so 3 years is only 30 hours for most of us. Most of the wobble plate pumps are designed for 50 to 100 hours of use (realistically, not what is told to you). If things are the same at CAT as they were 5 years ago, even the low end pump plunger pumps would go 500 hours and then could be rebuilt to go another 500 or more.

However, one of the people I talked to (a Karcher parts dealer) was honest enough to tell me that I'd be better off with a ceramic-plunger type pump because I'll be using well water. The hard water are going to be more difficult on the stainless-steel pistons than on the ceramic.

BTW: I was really dissapointed by Northern tools people: I called to ask about their producs and asked why their 3000psi/3gpm unit is $200 more expensive than Karcher's HD3101 (3100psi/3.1gpm). He quickly started to lecture me about how great and more expensive the Honda engine over the Subaru. Another popular preacher who underscores the importance of the pump.

Thanks again,
Zevi.

So, would you say I'm dreaming if I want to spend up to about $550 (total, inc s&h or tax), and for this I want to get 2800-3000psi and 3gpm from a ceramic-plungers pump?

Cheers,
Zevi.