Generac Speedwash 3200PSI Pressure Washer
Generac Speedwash 3200PSI Pressure Washer 71430 Review
Pressure washers are perfect for boat, deck cleaning, wood restoration, paint preparation, graffiti removal, and heavy equipment cleaning. We took a close look at the Generac Speedwash 3200PSI Pressure Washer.
Heavy Dirt Cleaning
Pressure washers use compressed water to create a powerful water streams that can be used to remove dirt from tough to clean surfaces. Pressure washers have the ability to get into cracks and crevices that otherwise may be impossible to get into. The extreme pressure created by the pump lets the water do all the work, while the user merely needs to point the water at the surface that needs cleaning.
Generac Engine
This Generac pressure washer has a 196cc OHV gas engine and two starting options:
- Pull Start
- Electric Start – via a cordless battery
Pump
The Generac Speedwash 3200PSI Pressure Washer is a residential grade pressure washer and uses a vertical axial cam pump to deliver pressurized water. Pressure washer pumps are either axial or triplex pump. An axial pump spins at the same rpm as the motor and tend to wear faster than triplex pumps. Triplex plunger pumps are more efficient, last longer and perform better. They also offer the ability to be serviced where axial pumps do not.
Pressure Washer Frame and Wheels
The Generac 7143 has a welded powder-coated, steel frame, and weighs 58.1 lbs. The handle fits on the washer body with a sleeve style connection and spring button. This allows the int to store more compact and we felt that the connection was decent quality.
The pressure washer wheels are the hard plastic, no flat type and I found this unit to maneuver decent on pavement, and not great over grass. The hose connections are located at the rear of the pressure washer. Both the hose location, and the “centered-weight” design, make it difficult to quickly and easily tilt the pressure washer to move it. [Note- this could be improved with a simple foot pedal to assist in tilting the washer backwards prior to moving it.]
One-Touch Push Start and Recoil “Pull” Start
The first thing you will notice is that the Generac Speedwash 3200PSI pressure washer comes with a battery and a charger. This is by far the BEST feature of this tool and one that makes its higher cost worth it.
Having an electric start is a nice luxury and a fast way to start this unit. Simply insert the battery into the pressure washer battery compartment and press the electric start button. We found the electric start simple and easy to use and really enjoyed having it as a feature.
Battery Charging
A completely discharged Generac battery charges in approximately 1.5 hours and show four green LEDs. The li-ion battery is designed to be able to hold a charge for up to 18 months at a time.
Spraying Features
The Generac 7143 features 3100 PSI and the wand allows you to switch between four application settings. There is a dial on top of the spray wand easily adjusts the pressure needed between four different tasks:
- Car
- Wood
- Concrete
- soap
Attachments for Specialized Cleaning Applications
This pressure washer kit includes a 12″ power broom and a soap Blaster to help with all your cleaning needs. The 12″ power broom is equipped with high four pressure nozzles to clean 4x faster than standard nozzles. The power broom is ideal for decks, patios, driveways or pool decks.
Accessories
- Power Broom
- Turbo Nozzle – accessory
- Power Dial
- Soap Blaster
We tested all of the above nozzles with the exception of the turbo nozzle. All of them worked well and were effective.
Power Broom
Power broom attachment is equipped with high pressure nozzles to clean 4X faster than standard nozzles. We found that it significantly minimizes overspray and provides a uniform and consistent cleaning pattern. This was especially useful when cleaning my pool deck, and a nice accessory to have. [Note – there is no on-board storage for this accessory]
Turbo Nozzle
Turbo nozzle attachment with rotating pinpoint stream is designed to remove stubborn dirt and grime off tough surfaces 30% faster than standard nozzles. We did not test this nozzle.
Soap Blaster
Generac also supplies a high pressure “Soap Blaster” nozzle to apply soap 3x faster than a standard nozzle tip. This nozzle puts the soap on the surface fast and with excellent coverage. [Note – Generac provides a mesh bag. We tied the mesh bag to the units handle and stored this nozzle an d a plastic quick reference sheet inside it]
Easy-to-Access Detergent Tank
The detergent tank sprays holds and distributes liquid soap through the machine. when combined with the “Soap Blaster” accessory, it sprays 3X farther than a standard nozzle tip. The tank mixes the detergent with water and worked perfectly for us. When we used this in conjunction with the soap blaster we were able to quickly cover the cleaning area with detergent.
Quick change Nozzles
The Generac Speedwash 3200PSI pressure washer comes with 4 quick-change nozzles:
- 0 Degree
- 25 Degree
- 40 Degree
- Soap Application
The spray nozzles store conveniently and securley on the tool handle housing.
30-Foot Flexible Hose
A 30-foot, high pressure flex hose, comes with the unit and is designed to be kink resistant, non-marring and abrasion resistant. The hose is not the best quality we’ve seen, but worked well. The hose-end connections are plastic screw-on-style, not brass couplings.
The hose hook is a thin wire hanger that we found got in the way a bit when re-fueling.While this was a minor annoyance, it’s certainly not a deal breaker. While we’re talking about holsters / hangers, the spray gun holster is plastic, and attached to the pressure washer frame with cheesy plastic tabs. This is certainly one area that need to be secured better – on bump against a fence post or while transporting in a truck, will break off this holster.
Generac 3100ES Pressure Washer Specifications
- Engine: Generac 173cc 4-cycle OHV
- Fuel Capacity: 1.3 quarts (0.33 gallons)
- Pump: Aluminum axial cam
- Max Water Temperature: 100º F
- Hose: 25′ PVC
- Included Nozzles: 0º, 25º, 40º, soap
- Frame Material: Welded Steel
- Weight: 58.1 pounds
- Warranty: 2 years
Using the Generac 7143
I sent 8+ hours using the Generac 7143 to clean several different materials for this test. I cleaned a bluestone patio, granite steps, two bluestone walkway, a pool deck, patio chairs, furniture and one side of a house.
This pressure washer has more than enough pressure to clean anything that you’d want a pressure washer for.
Improvements
I’d like to see Generac use better quality parts on items such as; the hose connectors, hose hanger and spray wand holster. Additionally, I’d like to see Generac better balance the washer for easier mobility, or at least place a foot pedal to tilt the machine easier. Lastly, I wish the unit had a slightly larger gas tank fo longer usage, used a Triplex pump for longevity, and an aluminum frame for better corrosion resistance.
Price
This is not a cheap pressure washer, obviously its higher price tag is associated to it having a cordless start feature. We found it online for $449 here: Generac-SpeedWash-7122-Pressure-Attachments
Overall Thoughts
Overall we liked this washer and qualify it as a “light-duty” contractor, and residential unit for serious enthusiasts. As a remodeling contractor I may use this occasionally on a clients home, and annually on several projects on my property. A painting contractor who pressure washes every house they prep for paint will want a more commercial duty unit.
Overall we found the Generac 7143 unit a powerful, easy-to-use pressure washer. Many consumers look for ease-of-use and often purchase for electric models for this reason. We feel that consumers will really appreciate the push-start feature, and better / higher cleaning pressure, this unit provides over electric models. The push button start is a super nice feature and one that I know you will appreciate.
If your looking for a more commercial pressure washer, check out the Generac 4200 PSI Model 6565 unit.
