i ordered this on a Friday, for Saturday delivery.I was very surprised they even offered it for such speedy delivery.As it turned out, though, they didn't get it shipped in time to arrive Saturday.I was disappointed, but things have a way of working out for the best.It came on Monday instead (Amazon credited me all shipping costs without my having to even ask -- that's why I buy so much from them so frequently).When I got it out of the box, I could see that oil had been leaking from somewhere. It wasn't from the bottle of oil they send to lubricate the engine, and at first, I was perplexed.As I assembled it, though, I could see some oil around a threaded plug on the top of the water pump.The instructions say that the water pump is sealed, and that you should never service it.So now what to do?The oil had clearly leaked out of it.So I called customer service.That's why, as it turned out, it was best that it didn't arrive on Saturday.I would have had to wait until Monday anyway, and it would have been really tempting not to wait.
It took awhile to get through to a real person -- 15 minutes or so.When I did, the customer service folks were great.They had no way to know how much oil had leaked out, so they advised me not to start it until I refilled the pump.The pump holds exactly 4 oz of oil.They sent me that exact amount, but meanwhile told me I could buy it locally at Sears or Lowes if I was anxious to use it (which of course, I was).So I went to Sears, and got the oil.The customer service guy told me to remove the drain plug, and turn the whole thing onto its side to drain it.The plug is on TOP of the water pump.As it is, to get it all out, I actually had to turn the washer upside down.Once I had it drained out, I put in exactly 4 oz.As it turned out, I don't really think much had leaked out.Looked like about as much drained out as I ended up putting back in it.But I had peace of mind.
Then I finished the assembly, added engine oil, gas, and followed all the directions for the initial startup.I will say that I find the engine a bit difficult to start.But I'm learning where it likes the choke to be set, and a few other tricks to find the sweet spot, and it is getting easier.I'm not getting any younger or stronger, and it might not be as difficult for a lot of folks.
In operation, it is a great machine.Loud, but aren't they all.Wear ear protection, and hope your neighbors are the kind that will put up with the noise in exchange for your house, driveway, or whatever looking spiffy.I have now done all the aggregate patios, drives, etc. around my house, plus the exterior of the gutters (I live in the mold, algea, moss ridden northwest).I'm completely happy with the quality of the washer itself.I did end up buying the turbo nozzle right away (Sears had it right next to the pump oil; theirs is made by Briggs & Stratton, but cost about $10 less than Amazon's price for the B & S).My advice: if you are doing patios, walkways, etc. get the turbo nozzle.It is a BIG improvement over the most powerful of the ones that comes with the washer.
A final comment: the hose reel isn't all it's cracked up to be.The hose is a bit stiff and doesn't reel on all that easily.Plus the unit itself tips over backward somewhat easily, so when you wind the reel, it wants to tip.I was looking forward to the reel, but I find it to be almost more trouble than its worth -- still, it is ever so slightly worth the trouble.Once the hose is on the reel, it does help it store away more compactly and without hose everywhere.
Bottom lines:I was torn between a four and five star rating.I settled on 4 stars because of the clunky hose reel and the somewhat hard starting engine.Four and a half would probably be more fair.Know that shipping a big piece of equipment like this has some issues.And you do end up having to do the assembly yourself (which wasn't hard, but takes 45 minutes or so).If you find one locally for not much more money than Amazon's very good price, it might be worth it to just buy it from a brick and mortar store.But I couldn't find one locally (one of the John Deere's that Lowe's sells uses the identical engine, and might have been tempting, but it was about $100 more).If you do have any issues on this washer that require customer support, know that Briggs & Stratton's customer support is top notch.That's worth something, when you compare brands.I'd make the same purchase again, complete with UPS shipping and self-assembly.
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