Page 16 - OPE JULY 2020

MARKETPLACE
Generators & Water Blasters
ongoing North Island drought and water shortage in Auckland, combined with the Covid-19 lockdown.
“In the Auckland region, most of the larger commercial water blaster and house washing companies are still operating
but they are having to cart potable water [supplied by Watercare!] to their worksites, and this is significantly reducing the number of jobs they can tackle in a given period,” says Alan.
John Lahman of BE Pressure Supply says he was able to keep the business open during the lockdown to specifically sell pressure cleaning units for sanitation and other cleaning requirements, but has had to overcome some supply chain issues thanks to Covid-19.
John finds that many customers BE Pressure deals with are “second time round buyers” looking for better quality in a pressure washer. “As a result, they have a better understanding of the type of machine they have for the job at hand,” he says.
A noteworthy new model, he says, is the Smart Hot Pressure 12/11SI, a compact, hot-pressure cleaner in a 430 grade stainless steel frame and cover.
“This has hit the ground running and delivers great bang for buck. Generally speaking, contractors should, and do use, the Honda GX range of engines. But we have noticed that some contractors have been buying the cheaper Honda GP200 and that domestic users have been ‘buying up’ to the GP200 from the domestic Honda GC engine.”
Of course, there is a huge market in
machines not powered by Honda and BE Pressure does very well with its own brand, Powerease: “We basically build our blaster range with each model being available with either Honda or Powerease,” says John Lahman.
Alan Bisley also notes steady demand for hot cleaners from the agricultural and industrial market, with some customers changing from cold to hot water for cleaning and sterilising purposes.
In terms of AES Waterblasters’ supply chain of pumps and components,
the situation is improving, says Alan, notwithstanding the fact that most European suppliers have been closed for several weeks due to Covid-19 and will also be closing again soon for the Northern Hemisphere holiday season.
Still, because AES carries a large buffer stock of pumps and components, Alan Bisley doesn’t currently regard this as an issue.
Petrol engines power on
In terms of what’s powering water blasters, Bruce Wooding says that the advantages of petrol power are still very much apparent and that Honda Power Equipment’s engine sales remain strong, with the company supplying various power units to several manufacturers of quality water blasters, and Honda’s new iGX800 V-twin intelligent engine gaining more traction at the higher end.
“The iGX800 is now being used more by water blaster manufacturers who want to exploit the technology in that engine,” he says.
016 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT JULY2020
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BE PRESSURE COMMERCIAL SERIES GENERATORS
THE LATEST ADDITIONS to the BE
Pressure generator range are the Commercial Series generators. Powered by Honda engines and Italian Mecc-Alte alternators, the new models feature galvanised, heavy-duty roll frames with handle kits and large, 10-inch pneumatic wheels for moving the generator over rough farming terrain or onto remote jobsites.
The Commercial Series is produced
in four different styles, with different alternators or accessories according to
its designated application. The Standard Series is for general use in domestic or agricultural applications; Plus Series features dual IP66 waterproof outlets with RCD for added earth leakage protection; AVR Series introduces Automatic Voltage Regulation for operating super-sensitive equipment; and the House Series is configured for direct connection to a house or build to provide mains failure power.
www.bep.kiwi
POWERED BY A petrol 6.5hp,
four-stroke Lifan engine, LawnMaster’s LM6210P operates at a maximum pressure of 210 bar / 3040 PSI with a delivery rate of up to 11.5L/ min.
A 10m Professional hose features a brass pump head and there’s a built-in
detergent tank for direct suction. The 6210P has an ergonomic handle design and a stawndard set of accessories includes three nozzles, gun, lance, the 10m heavy-duty hose and a 3m garden hose.
A three-year warranty applies.
www.steelfort.co.nz
LawnMaster LM6210P pressure washer