Buying Used Water Jetting Equipment: Pressure, Pumps and Safety
Quick answer. Industrial water jetting equipment is graded by pressure: high pressure water jetting runs 10,000 to 30,000 PSI and ultra-high pressure (UHP) runs above 30,000 PSI. Buy on the pressure and flow your work needs, then check pump hours, packing and the rating on every hose. Used units sell well below new.
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How is water jetting equipment graded?
By the pressure it delivers. Surface preparation standards use four classes, and the class decides what work a unit can do.
| Class | Pressure | Typical work |
|---|---|---|
| Low pressure water cleaning | Under 5,000 PSI | Washing, light cleaning, sewer jetting |
| High pressure water cleaning | 5,000 to 10,000 PSI | Removing loose paint, scale and dirt |
| High pressure water jetting | 10,000 to 30,000 PSI | Heat exchanger tubes, tanks, lines |
| Ultra-high pressure water jetting (UHP) | Above 30,000 PSI | Coating removal, surface preparation |
Sewer jetters sit at the low end with high flow to move debris through pipe. Industrial units trade flow for pressure, so check both numbers on the data plate against your work.
Skid, trailer or truck-mounted?
- Skid units fit on a flatbed or a plant floor and cost the least to move between jobs.
- Trailer units carry the pump, engine and often a water tank and hose reels, and suit crews that work many sites.
- Truck-mounted units set up fastest but sell with the chassis, so the truck's miles and title matter as much as the pump.
What should you check on the pump?
The pump end is where most of the money is. Run it at full working pressure and look for anything that drifts.
- Pump and engine hours, and the date and parts list of the last pump rebuild.
- Plungers, packing and valves: weeping at the packing or pressure that will not hold points to a rebuild soon.
- Crankcase oil: milky oil means water has got past the seals.
- Pressure gauge accuracy and a working relief or safety valve.
- Engine starts, idles and comes up to speed cleanly under load.
Hose, tools and controls
- Every hose, fitting and tool must be rated above the pump's maximum pressure. Check the markings and ask for hose age and test records.
- Dump and foot control valves should stop pressure the moment the operator lets go.
- Lances, nozzles and rotary tools add real value when they come with the unit.
- Look for kinked, abraded or bulging hose and replace it rather than gamble on it.
Safety and training
Water jetting at these pressures can cause severe injection injuries, so operators need training before they run any unit.
Industry recommended practices cover operator training, protective equipment, and the controls every unit should have. Many plants and refineries will not let a crew on site without documented training, so budget for it alongside the equipment.
What moves the price
Used water jetting equipment typically sells well below new. Pressure class, pump hours since rebuild, engine condition, and whether hose, tools and controls come with it move the price most; UHP units hold their value best. Compare against the units listed below and ask the seller for the rebuild history.
Questions buyers ask
- What PSI do I need for hydroblasting?
- Tube and tank cleaning is typically done in the high pressure jetting range, 10,000 to 30,000 PSI. Coating removal and surface preparation often call for UHP above 30,000 PSI. Match the class to the job and the tools you will run.
- Is a sewer jetter the same as an industrial water jetter?
- No. A sewer jetter runs high flow at a few thousand PSI to clear pipe. An industrial water jetter, or hydroblaster, runs much higher pressure at lower flow to clean equipment and strip surfaces.
- What does refurbished mean for water jetting equipment?
- Usually a rebuilt pump end with new plungers, packing and valves, a serviced engine, and new or retested hose. Ask for the rebuild date and parts list, and run it at full pressure before you pay.
- Do I need training to run UHP equipment?
- Yes. Operators should be trained before running any water jetting equipment, and many sites require proof of training before work starts.
Have one to sell? List it free and hand it off locally. Looking up a specific model? See specs and used prices by model.