How to compare pressure washers, and
what makes Kränzle special?
There are a few considerations you should pay attention to before buying any new cleaning machinery to help make an informed decision in choosing the correct and best matched cleaning solution for you.
With authorised, appointed and supported by Kranzle UK dealers; your supplier offers you as their customer up to 2 years warranty and a 10 year anti-corrosion pump head guarantee, find out below how; and why:
Kränzle products are made to a quality, and not to a specific price based on corporate margins set in a boardroom - Kränzle care about the products we make. Unlike mass produced machines, every Kränzle is made with pride and is individually tested prior to leaving the factory.
We suggest evaluating different makes and models finding out what other people suggest, recommend and their experiences, look deeper than simply MAX pressure and price.
These factors alone give no indication of value for money.
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What is the difference between a TS / TST & what's the advantage
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Firstly, Kränzle pressure washers do not rely on a pressure switch system or Total-Stop operation of the motor since when the trigger gun is shut-off the integrated un-loader and bypass system reduces the pressure in the pump to aprox. just 10 bar.
A TS model is equipped with a pressure switch and shuts the motor down when the trigger gun is not being squeezed. This is of great benefit when the device is turned on for long periods and used sporadically throughout the day. For instance, a car wash where the machine may be switched on from the early morning; used on and off continuously where any respite for the seals and motor is welcomed.
Total-Stop is not suggested when using a generator or similar equipment to power the device. See note below..
The TST model is a Total-Stop version but with the addition of an integrated hose-reel, or hose-drum (which translates from the German 'trommel'; so those naturally speaking Deutsch: the 'T' makes sense...
NOTE: As Kränzle devices do not rely on or require a pressure switch, it is possible with use of a blanking part (order no. 44551), and a PG 9 blanking piece (order no. 430341) to safely remove the pressure switch components.
What should I look for in a pressure washer
• Good quality pump head
Every Kränzle has a special forged brass pump head.Avoid plastic, metal-plated plastic, and aluminium pumps:
These are not built with long-lasting or suitable materials and quickly fail.
• Water flow / output
For best results PSI needs the support of about 10 litres per minute flow
Higher PSI / BAR with lower ltrs/min can reduce the power by 50%
(to calculate, try calculating: 'operating BAR' x 'lts/min' then divide by 100)
Lower flow rates of around 7 ltrs/min still offer plenty of cleaning power for most tasks, though will not feel as powerful : the added benefit of this is that less water is consumed.
• Good quality plungers / pistons
Kränzle make our own shatter-proof ceramic coated plungers / pistons to very high standards with extremely long life expectancy.
Kränzle plungers are machined from stainless steel, heat treated, and then blasted during plasma temperatures and at high pressure the ceramic coating is applied.
They are finally ground and polished to give an ultra smooth, low friction surface which is permanent and won't chip, crack or wear out.
We invite you to see the different stages of the processes we use to perfect our plungers on facebook where we have some excellent photo galleries.
"Avoid manufacturers using only a ceramic 'sleeve' or 'painted' with ceramic"
The quality and beneficial properties of ceramic used in this cheapened styles of production are mostly all lost.
• Good quality seals and leakage protection
Every Kränzle is built with a drainage chamber that has an air-gap between the water seals and oil seals, this ensures that there is no posibility of mixing oil and water causing contamination issues.
Extra protection by Kränzle includes a leakage-return system, if worn seals are not replaced and allow water past them into the drainage chamber, the pump will suck any water in the drainage chamber back into the pump where it belongs with the plungers next stroke. Since the beginning of 2013 every professional Kränzle series has this extra protection previously reserved for our larger series.
Most non-Kränzle pumps do not have an air gap between seals and no drainage possibilities between the high pressure water seals and the oil seals, this results with the oil and water being able to contaminate each other and causes emulsification worries.• Full parts backup and support, easy servicing!
All Kränzle machinery can be serviced and repaired if needed, fully backed-up and supported with advise and parts.
Kränzle use many common items between our different series, we make the parts - and we know that they are good quality parts; so whether your machine is a day old and it fell off the 3rd floor roof you were using it on, or it's the pressure washer bequeathed to you that was built more than thirty years ago.. the parts are stocked in the UK, with next day delivery offered from your nearest Approved Servicing Specialist if they do not already have the parts in stock.
Kranzle Approved Service Centres can be found nationwide, with full UK coverage. Fully trained engineers will be happy to discuss thoroughly with you any questions or queries you may have whether looking to buy, with help and tips of use, and also with servicing and repairs.
Rule of thumb appears to be.. If a pressure washer in a DIY or similar store costs £550 or less, it is not possible to buy a replacement gun, lance nor hoses for it, and many parts are not available - so even if it should be an easy fix... and IF you can find someone that will repair it, the parts are no longer available.
Kränzle users do not experience these problems, and these are not our opinions or comments, but a representation of what we regularly hear about many, bad experiences suffered by people who have tried buying lots of different 'cheap' pressure washers in the past, before finally settling on getting a Kränzle . Every effort is made to ensure maximum life of the pump, motor and transmission inside Kränzle high pressure cleaners.
Every Kränzle machine is thoroughly tested before it leaves the factory and is stamped with a unique serial number.
So good is the Kränzle pump that Kränzle give a 10 year anti corrosion guarantee on the valve casing.
Because we use brass and stainless steel parts it should never wear out... just need service items replacing every two or three thousand hours use.
(Not bad when you consider the life expectancy of many other branded pressure cleaners expect to provide less than 50 hours usage!)
What performance will I be getting
The performance of your pressure washer, that is it's total power available for cleaning is a combination of: pressure AND flow.
An output of 1500 psi with 10 litres of water a minute is more powerful than 1800 psi with 7 or 8 litres of water a minute.
The water droplets in the spray are larger and heavier, so you clean quicker and more effectively as the total power is more.
Adjustable spray pattern lance with option to operate low pressure chemical injector
> Kränzle operating pressure figures are realistic achievable pressures, many manufacturers regularly quote only the maximum pressure which is never the same as the true operating pressure available for you to use.
Kränzle operating pressure figures are realistic achievable working pressures, unlike manufacturers quoting only the maximum pressure which is 10 to 15 Bar higher than the true operating usable pressure available for you.
> One other 'trick' other manufacturers employ to make you think that your pressure washer is more powerful than it is, is to supply you with a lance that has a kink in its design.
A kink, or bend, in the lance will give more of a kick-back than when using a straight lance, this tactic naturally 'feels' as though it is more powerful.
It feels like you have to fight to keep the lance down - where the reality is that you are only creating extra fatigue for yourself, and the pressure is no better for this.
Kränzle products are designed to be used for use over long periods of time and are all ergonomically designed with the operators comfort in mind.
What guarantee does it have and how long will it last
Every Kränzle is built to last for many years, even with daily usage
When you make your purchase with an Authrorised UK Dealer:
• Kränzle Home & Garden equipment is offered with a warranty period of 24 months for domestic use.
• Kränzle Profesional cleaning machinery purchased by end-user customers for domestic use is offered with a warranty period of 24 months.
• Profesional machines supplied to industrial or commercial users are offered with a warranty period of 12 months, which is extendable to 24 months providing that an inspection is carried out and serviced in accordance with the "Guidelines for Liquid Spray Devices" by an Kränzle Authrorised UK Dealer; ensuring that your continued safe operation is guaranteed. The results of the inspection and service history are to be recorded in writing, usually in the machine's operators manual.
"How much you would spend over 10 years replacing 'low cost' machines with more 'low cost' machines?"
• would you simply find yourself giving up and feel cheated?
• would you find yourself going back out to buy, yet another?
If you buy the best you can afford
you will save money in the long run, enjoying hassle free usage
Kränzle high-pressure cleaners expect from even our smallest :
in excess of over 1,000 operating hours
Guarantee, permitted use and life expectancy maybe vital
> Always check that the guarantee adequately covers your usage, and whether your pressure washer could be considered as having had some commercial use.
> The life span of many domestically designs is merely 30 - 40 hours. Most private purchasers will clean the car, caravan, lawn mower, driveway and patio then put it away and maybe not get it out again for a few weekends and then only to clean the car again, and perhaps the patio furniture.
This will probably see out the guarantee period, but what about next year or if you lend it to friends, family or neighbours?
> Check there are no conditions you must continue to meet, for instance it is reported that one manufacturer invalidates warranty if you do not exclusively use their own branded de-calcifying agent. It is not that this is to protect your machine, if that was the case it would be designed to have no need for de-calcifying chemicals, or that if you add de-calcifier you may decide which brand to use. Extra expenses of fitting computer chips to each bottle and the extra components of your pressure washer to monitor your usage patterns adds extra cost, and un-expected on-going extra operating costs.
Should I buy the cheapest
Yes..! .. but what is it that offers GOOD VALUE ?
If, for example, you spent £100 - £150 on something that only lasted 30-50 hours of use, the machine would have cost you perhaps £3 - £2 per hour of use to own.
However, if you spent around £600-650 on proper equipment that gives you in excess of 3,000 hours / 6,000 / or even 9,000+ hours of usage, the machine would be costing you as little as just 20 pence or by less than 10 pence per hour of use to own.
Financially it makes sense to buy a good quality machine that will last.
> One can buy a disposable camera for less than £5
Listen, it will do the 'job' required of it there and then.
But what about next time you want to take photographs?
Do you pop to the shop again to buy a new one just as you wanted to capture the moment, finding it has run out?
> Paper plates don't cost as much as finely made ones or those made of more expensive materials; they also don't last as long!
Often making a well considered investment in something designed to last longer, without needing to replace it so frequently, has the greatest value
Do I need a hot machine or a cold
Hot water pressure washers, or steam cleaners are really only necessary for heavy transport, curtain sides, engine cleaning, etc.
They are great when having to deal with grease, oil and animal fats.
The combination of high pressure, hot water and detergent cuts through just about anything.
Kränzle hot water high pressure cleaners are very tough and rugged,
for even the most demanding of applications.
If you are cleaning the outside of cars, vans, even tractors, stone work, etc then a cold water high pressure cleaner is quite suitable.
Which one is up to you..
though as you would expect we are always ready to advise.
A 'decent' hot water machine is not cheap : do not buy light-weight machines, especially without a brass pump head and nothing with a 2800 rpm motor. A "cheap" hot water machine can still cost over £2,000 + vat!
It is also worth remembering that Kränzle cold water machines, whilst not having heating capabilities; are happy with being supplied water up to 60°C
What after sales service will I get
When you choose to buy a Kränzle from an Authrorised UK Dealer: you get quality back-up and UK support not just for the period of the guarantee, but for the life of the machine.
You may rest assured that Kränzle have less than 0.5% warranty failure globally, and even if there is a fault your supplier will act quickly to rectify it.
In most cases 'problems' can be solved simply by following the steps found in the operators manual, covering the suspected fault
Be cautious of what type of guarantee the pressure washer you are buying comes with. Only Kränzle products purchased from Authrorised UK Dealers are offered with 12 months commercial warranty as standard on all of our pressure washers, and providing the machine is inspected at the end of the first 12 months - we will extend the warranty for another 12 months.Authorised Kranzle UK suppliers philosophy is to focus and pay attention to detail and what is best for you
All Kränzle customers are highly valued and well regarded so we will always listen to your feedback
A massive percentage of Kränzle sales come from existing customer recommendations
- Thank You!
To maintain such high levels of customer recommendations:
our after sales service must be of the highest standard - matching the high level of detail we honour our equipment.
How good is the pump, motor & transmission
The pump, motor and transmission are the big three components of a pressure washer.
Where main components like these are not built to last, you are not receiving good "value for money".
Read our: What should I look for in a pressure washer section on the left column for more information on these core components.
Kränzle pumps are only made with brass valve casings because, although not cheap, it is the best material to use as it is strong, durable and will not be 'eaten' away by water, like aluminium is.
Many non-Kränzle pumps are cheaply made using plastic, or cast aluminium.
Many other manufacturers pumps have pistons driven by a cam and con rods system and are only about 84% efficient, while Kränzle axial pumps are approximately 91% efficient and because Kränzle also manufacture our own electric motors, the output is perfectly matched for maximum performance and efficiency.
Every Kränzle machine is thoroughly tested before it leaves our factory and is stamped with a unique serial number.
So good is the Kränzle pump that a 10 year anti corrosion guarantee on the valve casing is offered.
Because core components are made from brass and with stainless steel moving parts it should never wear out... just may need service items replacing every two or three thousand hours use.
(Not bad when you consider the life expectancy of many other brands of pressure cleaners can be only up to 30 hours usage, or less!)
What quality of hose, fittings and connections does it have
Any 'premium' pressure washer should have both the water inlet fitting that your supply hose connects on to and the high pressure outlet of the pump made of brass. Plastic breaks and aluminium corrodes.
This goes for any part of the machine that comes in to contact with WATER.
Likewise any and all connections of the high pressure hose, trigger gun, detachable lances and accessories should be either brass or stainless steel.
Each and every Kränzle machine is made with quality in mind
Other metals may corrode or seize up and plastic goes brittle; typical 'push & twist' bayonet connections are weaker than brass or stainless steel ones and prone to problems.
All Kränzle machines have brass 3/4" threaded water fittings
(with an in-line water filter), threaded screw-on connections that seal on an O ring (and so only need to be done up finger tight!) on the hoses with the connection to the gun with an integrated swivel fitting. Connection of the gun and spray equipment is made of high-quality stainless-steel quick-release system.
High-pressure hoses are steel braided and rubber coated making them easy to manage & long lasting. (Except for: Quickly, K 1050 P & K 1050 TS models)
All as standard supplied with considerable length & with UK suppliers able to exchange out the standard hose for a longer one if requested.*
(*Non hose-reel models only).
No tools are required to undo hoses, trigger guns or change lances.
