Pressure Washer Pumps Explained: Cat, General, AR, and Comet

Key Takeaways

• CAT pumps are the gold standard - Professional choice, rebuildable, expensive but worth it
• General is excellent mid-range - Slightly less expensive, still professional quality
• AR is budget-friendly workhorse - Good value, widely used, rebuildable but less durable
• Comet is European quality - Excellent engineering, harder to find parts in US
• Pump choice matters more than engine - A cheap pump ruins a good machine

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Why Pump Brand Matters

Here’s the reality: your engine might run forever, but a cheap pump dies in 200 hours. The pump is the heart of your pressure washer. It’s what takes that engine power and converts it into cleaning force. Unlike engines, pumps wear out—they have seals, valves, and ceramic plungers that degrade with every hour of operation.

What's at stake:

• Lifespan: 200 hours vs 3,000+ hours
• Rebuild cost: $150-300 vs $80-150
• Downtime: A failed pump means no work until fixed
• Resale value: Machines with quality pumps hold 70-80% value

Let’s break down the four major pump brands honestly.

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CAT Pumps

Reputation

CAT (Centrifugal And Axial Technologies) is the undisputed professional standard. Professional contractors with 10+ years of experience will tell you: CAT pumps are the benchmark. Everything else is measured against them.

Where CAT Excels:

• Extreme durability (3,000+ hour lifespan)
• Professional-grade construction throughout
• Easy to rebuild (parts everywhere)
• Holds resale value like nothing else
• Consistent performance over entire life

The CAT Reality:

They’re expensive. You’ll pay 30-50% more for a CAT pump compared to alternatives. But if you’re running a pressure washing business, that premium pays for itself in avoided downtime and rebuild costs.

Technical Details

Construction:

• Forged brass head (not cast—stronger)
• Ceramic plungers (harder than steel, lasts longer)
• Stainless steel valves
• Oversized bearings
• Oil-bath lubrication (not sealed)
• Heavy-duty crankshaft

Why This Matters:

Forged brass handles pressure spikes without cracking. Ceramic plungers don’t wear like steel does. Oil-bath lubrication means components are always protected, not just when someone remembers to grease fittings.

CAT Pump Models

CAT 257 (3.5 GPM @ 2,700 PSI)

• Use: Residential/light commercial
• Cost: ~$350-450
• Lifespan: 2,500-3,500 hours
• Best for: House washers, part-timers

CAT 267 (4.0 GPM @ 3,100 PSI)

• Use: Commercial daily use
• Cost: ~$450-550
• Lifespan: 3,000-4,000 hours
• Best for: Professional rigs, fleet washing

CAT 287 (5.6 GPM @ 3,500 PSI)

• Use: Heavy commercial
• Cost: ~$600-750
• Lifespan: 4,000-5,000 hours
• Best for: Large flatwork, commercial contracts

Rebuildability

This is where CAT really shines. Every component is designed to be replaced:

• Rebuild kit: $80-150
• Time: 1-2 hours for experienced mechanic
• Frequency: Every 1,500-2,000 hours
• Parts availability: Every pressure washer dealer stocks them

Real talk: A CAT pump can be rebuilt 4-5 times over its life. That's 15,000+ hours from a single pump if maintained properly.

When CAT Makes Sense

Buy CAT if:

• You're running a business (downtime costs money)
• You'll use the machine 500+ hours per year
• You plan to rebuild rather than replace
• You want equipment that holds resale value
• You're investing for the long term

Skip CAT if:

• You're a homeowner cleaning twice a year
• Budget is tight (seriously tight)
• You won't maintain it properly
• You're not sure you'll stick with pressure washing

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General Pumps

Reputation

General Pump is the other major player in professional equipment. Excellent quality, slightly less expensive than CAT, widely respected among contractors. They don’t have quite the cult following of CAT, but they’re very close in performance.

Where General Excels:

• Professional build quality
• Slightly lower cost than CAT
• Excellent availability
• Rebuildable design
• Good resale value (though not CAT level)

The General Reality:

You’re giving up maybe 10-15% lifespan compared to CAT for 15-20% cost savings. For many contractors, that’s the right balance. General pumps are still professional equipment—they just aren’t the absolute top tier.

Technical Details

Construction:

• Cast brass head (quality, but not forged)
• Ceramic plungers
• Stainless steel valves
• Oil-bath lubrication
• Solid crankshaft

Key Differences from CAT:

• Cast brass instead of forged (slightly less durable)
• Slightly smaller bearings
• Less robust crankshaft design

What This Means:

In practice, you might not notice the difference. General pumps still last 2,500-3,500 hours with maintenance. The failure point might be 500 hours sooner than CAT, but you’re saving money upfront.

General Pump Models

General 257 (3.5 GPM @ 2,700 PSI)

• Use: Residential/commercial
• Cost: ~$280-380
• Lifespan: 2,000-3,000 hours
• Best for: Serious homeowners, light commercial

General 367 (4.0 GPM @ 3,500 PSI)

• Use: Commercial
• Cost: ~$380-480
• Lifespan: 2,500-3,500 hours
• Best for: Daily commercial use

General 857 (8.0 GPM @ 3,500 PSI)

• Use: Heavy commercial
• Cost: ~$700-900
• Lifespan: 3,000-4,000 hours
• Best for: Large commercial operations

Rebuildability

General pumps are fully rebuildable, though slightly more involved than CAT:

• Rebuild kit: $70-130
• Time: 1.5-2.5 hours
• Frequency: Every 1,200-1,800 hours
• Parts availability: Very good, but not universal like CAT

Rebuild Differences:

Sometimes components are press-fit rather than bolted. Makes rebuild slightly more challenging. Any competent mechanic can handle it, but it might take a bit longer.

When General Makes Sense

Buy General if:

• You want professional quality on a budget
• You're doing light commercial work
• You maintain your equipment but aren't rebuilding constantly
• You want good resale without the CAT premium
• You value reliability over absolute maximum lifespan

Skip General if:

• You're running heavy commercial operations (just get CAT)
• You want the absolute best (go CAT)
• You need parts availability everywhere (CAT is better)

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AR Pumps (Annovi Reverberi)

Reputation

AR is the budget-friendly workhorse. They’re everywhere—on homeowner machines, light commercial equipment, even some mid-range commercial setups. AR pumps are value-oriented: good performance for the price, but not built like CAT or General.

Where AR Excels:

• Lowest cost among major brands
• Decent lifespan for the price
• Rebuildable (unlike cheap pumps)
• Widely available
• Good for part-timers and serious homeowners

The AR Reality:

You’re trading lifespan for cost. An AR pump might last 800-1,500 hours compared to 2,500+ for CAT. But if you’re cleaning 50 hours a year, that’s still 16-30 years of use. For many users, that’s perfectly fine.

Technical Details

Construction:

• Aluminum head (lighter, less durable than brass)
• Ceramic plungers (still quality)
• Stainless steel valves
• Sealed bearings (some models)
• Oil-bath or splash lubrication (depends on model)

Key Differences from CAT/General:

• Aluminum instead of brass (can crack from pressure spikes)
• Smaller bearings throughout
• Less robust crankshaft
• Sometimes sealed rather than oil-bath

What This Means:

The pump works fine under normal conditions. But it’s less forgiving of abuse. Running it dry, pressure spikes, overheating—these take a bigger toll on AR than on CAT or General.

AR Pump Models

AR RMW2.2G24 (2.2 GPM @ 2,400 PSI)

• Use: Light residential
• Cost: ~$150-200
• Lifespan: 500-1,000 hours
• Best for: Homeowner machines

AR RMW2.5G28 (2.5 GPM @ 2,800 PSI)

• Use: Residential/light commercial
• Cost: ~$180-230
• Lifespan: 800-1,500 hours
• Best for: Serious homeowners, part-timers

AR SXW3.1 (3.1 GPM @ 3,100 PSI)

• Use: Light commercial
• Cost: ~$220-280
• Lifespan: 1,000-1,800 hours
• Best for: Part-time contractors

Rebuildability

AR pumps are rebuildable, but it’s not always worth it:

• Rebuild kit: $50-100
• Time: 2-3 hours (often more complex)
• Frequency: Every 800-1,200 hours
• Parts availability: Good, but model-specific

The Rebuild Question:

When an AR pump needs rebuilding, you’re often at 50-60% of the cost of a new pump. Many contractors just replace rather than rebuild. The decision depends on your specific model and how hard it’s been used.

When AR Makes Sense

Buy AR if:

• You're a serious homeowner (not daily use)
• You're starting a business on a tight budget
• You maintain equipment properly
• You understand you're trading lifespan for cost
• You're using it under 200 hours per year

Skip AR if:

• You're running daily commercial operations
• You want equipment that lasts 10+ years
• You don't maintain equipment religiously
• You need maximum uptime (get CAT or General)

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Comet Pumps

Reputation

Comet is an Italian manufacturer known for high-quality European engineering. Less common in the US than CAT, General, or AR, but well-respected among professionals who know them.

Where Comet Excels:

• Excellent engineering and precision
• Quality construction
• Good lifespan
• Innovative designs
• Very quiet operation

The Comet Reality:

Great pumps, but harder to find parts and service in the US. If you have a local dealer who stocks Comet, they’re excellent. If not, parts ordering can be a hassle.

Technical Details

Construction:

• Brass head (quality, similar to General)
• Ceramic plungers
• Stainless steel valves
• Oil-bath lubrication
• Precision engineering throughout

Key Characteristics:

• Very smooth operation (less vibration)
• Quieter than competitors
• Efficient design
• Good but not spectacular lifespan

What This Means:

Comet pumps are a joy to use. They run smooth and quiet, which reduces fatigue. But the parts availability issue in the US is real. If you’re in an area with good Comet support, they’re excellent. If not, consider CAT or General.

Comet Pump Models

Comet KP 3.2 (3.2 GPM @ 3,200 PSI)

• Use: Residential/commercial
• Cost: ~$300-400
• Lifespan: 1,500-2,500 hours
• Best for: Quality-conscious users

Comet BXD 3.3 (3.3 GPM @ 3,300 PSI)

• Use: Commercial
• Cost: ~$380-480
• Lifespan: 2,000-3,000 hours
• Best for: Light commercial operations

Comet IPV 4.0 (4.0 GPM @ 4,000 PSI)

• Use: Heavy commercial
• Cost: ~$500-650
• Lifespan: 2,500-3,500 hours
• Best for: Commercial with dealer support

Rebuildability

Comet pumps are rebuildable, but parts can be harder to source:

• Rebuild kit: $70-120
• Time: 1.5-2.5 hours
• Frequency: Every 1,500-2,000 hours
• Parts availability: Limited in US, special order often required

The Rebuild Reality:

If you have a good Comet dealer nearby, rebuilding is straightforward. If not, you might wait a week for parts. For commercial operations, that downtime matters.

When Comet Makes Sense

Buy Comet if:

• You have local Comet dealer support
• You value smooth, quiet operation
• You appreciate European engineering
• You're in an area with good parts availability
• You want quality different from CAT/General

Skip Comet if:

• You don't have local dealer support
• You need parts immediately when something fails
• You're in a remote area
• You want the most common brand for resale

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Brand Comparison Table

Feature	CAT	General	AR	Comet
Lifespan	3,000-5,000 hrs	2,500-3,500 hrs	800-1,800 hrs	1,500-3,000 hrs
Cost	$$$$ (High)	$$$ (Mid)	$ (Budget)	$$$ (Mid-High)
Rebuild Cost	$80-150	$70-130	$50-100	$70-120
Parts Availability	Excellent	Very Good	Good	Limited (US)
Resale Value	Best	Good	Fair	Fair
Durability	Forged brass	Cast brass	Aluminum	Cast brass
Best For	Daily commercial	Regular commercial	Part-time	Quality users

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Cost Analysis Over 5 Years

Let’s say you’re running a pressure washing business using the equipment 500 hours per year (about 10 hours per week).

CAT Pump Scenario:

• Initial cost: $500
• Rebuilds at 1,500 and 3,000 hours: $150 × 2 = $300
• Total cost over 2,500 hours: $800
• Cost per hour: $0.32

General Pump Scenario:

• Initial cost: $400
• Rebuilds at 1,200 and 2,400 hours: $120 × 2 = $240
• Replacement at 3,600 hours: $400
• Total cost over 3,600 hours: $1,040
• Cost per hour: $0.29

AR Pump Scenario:

• Initial cost: $250
• Rebuild at 1,000 hours: $80
• Replacement at 2,000 hours: $250
• Second replacement at 3,000 hours: $250
• Total cost over 3,000 hours: $830
• Cost per hour: $0.28

The Reality: AR actually has slightly better cost per hour in this scenario. But here's what the numbers don't show: downtime. When your AR pump fails at 1,000 hours, you're not working until it's replaced or rebuilt. If you have paying jobs lined up, that downtime costs real money. CAT and General fail less often and more predictably. For professionals: The premium for CAT or General buys reliability and predictable maintenance schedules. That's worth the extra $0.03-0.04 per hour. For homeowners: The math is different. If you're using the equipment 20 hours per year, an AR pump lasts 40-75 years. The lifespan difference never matters in practical terms.

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Making Your Choice

For Homeowners

You're cleaning your own property 10-30 hours per year:

• Recommended: AR pump
• Why: More than adequate lifespan, lower cost
• Maintenance: Basic flush and winterize
• Reality: You'll probably replace the entire machine before the pump dies

Exception: If you're buying professional-grade equipment for long-term ownership and you maintain it meticulously, consider General.

For Part-Time Contractors

You're cleaning 100-300 hours per year:

• Recommended: General or AR (depending on budget)
• Why: Professional quality without CAT premium
• Maintenance: Regular oil changes, flush after use
• Reality: General for longevity, AR if budget is tight

Exception: If you're growing toward full-time business, invest in CAT now and you won't outgrow it.

For Full-Time Professionals

You're cleaning 500-1,000+ hours per year:

• Recommended: CAT (or General if budget conscious)
• Why: Maximum uptime, rebuildable, predictable maintenance
• Maintenance: Strict schedule, rebuild preventatively
• Reality: The CAT premium pays for itself in avoided downtime

No exceptions: At this usage level, cheap pumps are false economy. You'll lose more in downtime than you save on equipment cost.

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Maintenance Matters More Than Brand

Here’s what nobody tells you: A well-maintained AR pump outlasts a neglected CAT pump. Maintenance is the great equalizer.

Critical Maintenance:

1. Never run dry - Even for 30 seconds
2. Flush with clean water - 2-3 minutes after every use
3. Check pump oil - Every 50 hours for oil-bath pumps
4. Change pump oil annually - Use non-detergent 30W
5. Winterize properly - Pump saver or antifreeze
6. Don't bypass thermal relief - It's there for a reason

The Maintenance Reality:

Most pump failures are maintenance failures, not brand failures. A CAT pump run dry for 5 minutes is destroyed. An AR pump maintained properly lasts for years.

Best investment: $30 pump saver and religious maintenance schedule. That's more important than which brand you buy.

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Bottom Line

CAT pumps are the professional choice for a reason. They last longer, rebuild easier, and hold value. If you're making money with this equipment, CAT is worth the premium. General pumps offer professional quality at a slightly lower price. Excellent balance for most contractors. AR pumps are the smart budget choice. Perfect for serious homeowners and part-timers who maintain their equipment. Comet pumps are excellent if you have dealer support. Smooth, quiet, well-engineered. Harder to find parts in the US. The honest truth: Your maintenance habits matter more than the brand. Buy the best you can afford, then take care of it. A well-maintained AR pump will outlast a neglected CAT every time.

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Next Steps

Ready to choose your pump?

• How to Rebuild a Pressure Washer Pump
• Unloader Valves: How They Work
• Winterizing Your Pressure Washer
• Equipment Buying Guide