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Ideal gpm and psi for washing winter ice and grime off grain trucks

1722 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  bud, 
B
Wondering what the ideal combination of gpm and psi is for winter washing of grain trailers. Needs to be able to melt some of the ice and snow and get the sand, grit and salt off.

Too much pressure and flow will make it hard to hold the wand for 2 hours. Have 4 gpm and 3500 psi now and need to replace the washer with a new one. Not sure if 5 gpm and 2000 psi is better or 5 gpm and 3000 psi.

They rate these washers in cleaning units, ie. take psi x gpm and that equals cleaning units. So 4 gpm x 3000 psi =12000 units. With that formula 5gpm at 2000 psi is only 10,000 units, but 2 gpm at 6000 psi would be 12,000 units and there is no way that 2 gpm would wash all the snow away at any pressure.

Opinions on whats the best for snow, ice and slush stuck to the truck and trailer. Majority of the use for this pressure washer will be winter cleaning.
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B
Yes they are hot water machines. Takes 2 hours to wash super b now. It's a job I hate, would like to get the best combination to make the job quicker without making my body feel worse.

Not sure if I have enough power to run the 10 hp motor for 5 gpm at 3000 psi. Seems to take the same power to run 4 gpm at 3000 psi as it does 5 gpm at 2000 psi.
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I run a straight nozzle with side handle now. Use the widest fan angle I have. The narrow nozzle would probably take paint off.

Just wasn't sure if the difference between 4 and 5 gpm is even noticeable.

The small home owner units are almost useless.
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