Simpson Megashot 3200 PSI Pressure Washer

If you missed my recent review of the Simpson 3600 PSI Surface Cleaner, do yourself, your aching back, and your driveway a favor and read it in a moment. In that article, I teased a review of the machine to which I had the surface cleaner attached, the Simpson Megashot 3200 PSI Pressure Washer. Well, today is the big reveal.

Before I regale you with my pressure washing experience, I should reference Tim’s recent review of the Megashot’s big brother, the Powershot PS4240. The Powershot sits in Simpson’s impressively deep Professional equipment category. Nearly as deep, however, is the company’s Premium Residential category where we find the Megashot models. With a few exceptions, there seems to be a fairly thin line between these two categories. In that I mean, “Premium” seems the operative word in the Premium Residential category as this Megashot looks and feels a lot like the Pro’s Powershot. Let’s see if it achieves premium performance!

Features

3200 PSI @ 2.5 GPM
Honda GC190 engine
Maintenance-free OEM Technologies axial cam pump
MorFlex Hose 1/4″ x 25′ is non-marring, kink and abrasion resistant and is equipped with threaded M22 connection
Ergonomic spray gun
5 Quick connect nozzle tips: 0°, 15°, 25°, 40° and Soap
Heavy-duty welded steel construction frame
10-inch Premium pneumatic tires

Performance

Like any engine, the Honda GC190 requires some pre-operation tasks. Simpson includes a bag of oil in the package as there is no oil in the engine from the factory. Fortunately, the dipstick and oil fill are easy to access.

Pro Tip: Check the oil before each use.

I think every small engine manufacturer warns against using gas with a high ethanol content. I swung by a friendly, independent service station to pump some ethanol-free fuel while contemplating cronyism under the false pretense of stewardship and corny jokes. But I digress. Back at the house, I filled up the tank through the generously-sized gas spout.

I attached both the water hose and 1/4-inch x 25-foot MorFlex Hose to the Simpson Megashot 3200 PSI Pressure Washer. The water hose connection seemed a little too close to the pressure washer’s tubular handle/frame while the MorFlex had plenty of room. The MorFlex has sturdy M22 brass connections on both the washer and wand ends. It’s also pliable while also appearing durable and strong – a far cry from other pressure washer hoses I’ve used that required some jiu-jitsu training. Before starting the engine, turn the water on and prime the line by pulling the wand’s trigger until water comes out.

Fired Up

I pulled out the choke pin, turned the switch to on, and pulled the cord. The Honda fired right up and away I pressure washed. This Simpson Megashot 3200 PSI Pressure Washer is far more muscular than my old pressure washer. The horizontal design on wheels and rubberized feet make it more stable, too.

I love the tip organization on the machine’s dashboard, for lack of a better term. A 0°, 15°, 25°, 40°, and soap tip are conveniently nested near the top of the handle. More to the point: everything on this Simpson Megashot 3200 PSI Pressure Washer is organized well. When not in use, the hose reel keeps the MorFlex secure (I recommend holding on to the large twist-ties to keep the hose under control). A metal sheath likewise holds the wand securely. That’s where I placed the wand momentarily while the machine was running rather than laying it on the ground.

“Tips” for Pressure Washing

I used the Simpson for (a) any really tough grime on porous, degraded concrete that the surface cleaner couldn’t handle, (b) vertical surfaces that the surface cleaner couldn’t climb, and (c) as a final rinse with either a pressurized tip or the soap tip. It handled all of those tasks swimmingly.

It would be a shame to lose any of the tips, and that’s why I was slightly disappointed to see that the red 0° tip repeatedly vibrated out of its hole on the dashboard. I swapped its place with another tip and it didn’t happen again. Not a huge deal, but keep it in mind. Other users have reported this problem, too.

The other potential tip-losing situation was completely user error. Be sure that the tip is snugly secured in the quick connect coupler – otherwise, you’ll pull the wand’s trigger and shoot the tip! I spent a few minutes searching for the green tip in the grass.

Finally, all the pressurized tips are metal, but the soap tip is plastic. I wouldn’t expect the soap tip to last as long as the others, and it was a little more difficult to insert to the quick connect.

“Wash”ington, FL

Something remarkable happened as I used the Simpson Megashot 3200 PSI Pressure Washer. Instead of cursing my very existence as I have when pressure washing in the past, I began to enjoy the work as the finished product was revealed. It was akin to painting a room; you can make a remarkable difference in a short time. My enjoyment was due not just to the machine’s ability to clean grime, but also due to ease of use.

The machine’s tubular handle and wheels make maneuvering it around the work area a breeze. The MorFlex hose is simple to manage. Swapping tips as the job calls for it takes just a couple of seconds. And when you’re done, wrapping up the MorFlex for storage and sheathing the wand organizes and protects your equipment for the next job.

The Bottom Line

For non-industrial, cold-water uses, it’s easy to see how this “Premium Residential” pressure washer could fit the bill, not just for homeowners, but also for Pro pressure washers, painters, car washers, and handymen on a budget.