I'm a small school bus contractor with only 6 buses to keep clean. I'm tired of the cheap pressure washers from local stores. I've come across a Cat 623 piston pump and motor w/stand from a car wash. I understand I'll need some controls, hoses, etc to complete the installation. I also have located a similar setup with Cat 310 plunger pump. In the past I've seen a 5cp2120W plunger setup. My question is this: do one of these pumps have a clear advantage over the other? Should I avoid a piston pump or are they preferred over a plunger pump. Are they both easily (and cheaply) rebuild-able? Sorry for questions that are probably silly to most of you, but as a newbie I have no clue and want to make a good decision. Thanks and have a great day.
Cat 623 vs 310
- Thread starter 1Joe
- Start date
Reds
Member
All I can tell you is that I have had 5cp2120 pumps for 7 years that get a lot of use with no problems. Put new seals in one pump one time. Simple to do. But you will need a motor, unloader, pressure release, guage, pump/motor mounting, belt guard, etc.
MEP001
Well-known member
The 623 is neither as cheap nor as easy to rebuild as the 310. The 623 is limited to 1200 PSI; the 310 can run 2500. The 623 is noisy as ****; the 310 is fairly quiet.
Neither is cheap to rebuild, but if you're washing just 6 buses a day you probably won't have any maintenance issues with them for many years as long as you supply good water to it and don't run strong, low pH chemicals through it.
Neither is cheap to rebuild, but if you're washing just 6 buses a day you probably won't have any maintenance issues with them for many years as long as you supply good water to it and don't run strong, low pH chemicals through it.
To buy or not to buy... Cat 623
Sorry that this newbie is such a pain to you guys. I posted a question a couple of days ago regarding 623 vs 310 cat pumps. I received some good input, including some by private message. I understand that both are pretty good pumps, but the 623 is somewhat limited by its low pressure of 1200 psi and is pretty loud. The problem is, I ran across some 623's that I think are at a very good price of $300. Even if they are in poor shape, there are 2 stands - each with 2 pump/motors with controls and all for $300.
If you didn't see my earlier post, I am a small bus contractor with 6 full size school buses to keep clean. I take pride in them and the pressure washers that I buy in the local stores just don't hold up well.
Anyway, if you guys can take a look at some pics that I put on Youtube and give me some advice, I'd appreciate it. It is 2 1/2 minutes and you can see it at http://youtu.be/Wd_83Fzhyr4 . You'll see in the pics what is included and maybe tell me what else I'd need to make these work. I understand that I'll need things like hose, wand, pulsation damper, etc.
If the 623 with its 6 gpm and 1200 psi is not sufficient for school bus washing, I'll walk away from these and keep looking.
These are about 4 hours away from me so I haven't seen them yet. These were removed from an operating carwash and one pump is in need of rebuild (the one with the belt removed). The others may be getting weak, I just don't know much about them. If these pumps are bad, can I simply replace them with a 310 or would there be controls changes as well?
Ultimately, if I ended up with one good stand (2 pumps) I could use one for the washing the buses and leave the other hooked up to an undercarriage cleaner that I already have.
Please give me honest advice. If what I'm trying to do is too much to ask of these used pumps or if it is just a bad idea - tell me that. I'd rather have to save money for a while longer than throw money at this project and then have to pony up later for a whole new system. Thanks again for your help and patience.
Once again, sorry to be asking these types of questions. If the school bus business payed better, I'd buy a new single unit 310 stand installed at my garage for $6300.
Sorry that this newbie is such a pain to you guys. I posted a question a couple of days ago regarding 623 vs 310 cat pumps. I received some good input, including some by private message. I understand that both are pretty good pumps, but the 623 is somewhat limited by its low pressure of 1200 psi and is pretty loud. The problem is, I ran across some 623's that I think are at a very good price of $300. Even if they are in poor shape, there are 2 stands - each with 2 pump/motors with controls and all for $300.
If you didn't see my earlier post, I am a small bus contractor with 6 full size school buses to keep clean. I take pride in them and the pressure washers that I buy in the local stores just don't hold up well.
Anyway, if you guys can take a look at some pics that I put on Youtube and give me some advice, I'd appreciate it. It is 2 1/2 minutes and you can see it at http://youtu.be/Wd_83Fzhyr4 . You'll see in the pics what is included and maybe tell me what else I'd need to make these work. I understand that I'll need things like hose, wand, pulsation damper, etc.
If the 623 with its 6 gpm and 1200 psi is not sufficient for school bus washing, I'll walk away from these and keep looking.
These are about 4 hours away from me so I haven't seen them yet. These were removed from an operating carwash and one pump is in need of rebuild (the one with the belt removed). The others may be getting weak, I just don't know much about them. If these pumps are bad, can I simply replace them with a 310 or would there be controls changes as well?
Ultimately, if I ended up with one good stand (2 pumps) I could use one for the washing the buses and leave the other hooked up to an undercarriage cleaner that I already have.
Please give me honest advice. If what I'm trying to do is too much to ask of these used pumps or if it is just a bad idea - tell me that. I'd rather have to save money for a while longer than throw money at this project and then have to pony up later for a whole new system. Thanks again for your help and patience.
Once again, sorry to be asking these types of questions. If the school bus business payed better, I'd buy a new single unit 310 stand installed at my garage for $6300.
