Memorial Day
The NorthStar 1571221 is a gas-powered pressure washer offering a maximum water pressure of 3100 PSI and flow of 2.5 GPM. (Read full specs)
Northern Tool 
Amazon | Price history for the NorthStar 1571221 | |
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| Latest updates:
Since: January 30, 2023 |
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Features and Specifications
| Fuel | Gas-Powered |
|---|---|
| Handling | Wheelbarrow |
| Water | Cold (140°F max.) |
| PSI | 3100 |
| GPM | 2.5 |
| Cleaning Units | 7750 |
| Engine | 177cc KOHLER CH255 OHV 4-stroke |
| Pump | Comet DWD Triplex |
| Frame | Steel tubing |
|---|---|
| Soap injection | Via siphon hose |
| Soap dilution | 15:1 |
| Nozzles | 15°, 25°, 40°, Soap |
| Quick connect nozzles | Yes |
| Onboard storage | Yes |
| Hose | 50 ft, ⌀3/8 |
| Hose storage | Hooks |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | Approx. 40.3 x 26 x 23.8 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 95 lbs |
| Pressure control | Valve |
| Wheels | 2 wheels, ⌀10", never flat |
| Included accessories | Wand, spray gun, high pressure hose, soap hose, 4 nozzles |
| Security | Low oil, trigger lock and thermal relief valve |
| Emissions | CARB, EPA |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Unlike many websites, we did our best to research each of the specs above. That being said, we are not immune to making the occasional mistake or omission. Should you notice any missing or incorrect values, don't hesitate to suggest improvements so we can address the issue.
Description
Zoom on the NorthStar 1571221
The NorthStar 1571221 is a heavy duty, commercial pressure washer, that provides its users with an all-around versatile cleaning experience, and enables:
- intense cleaning of tough, paintless surfaces
- cleaning of painted or delicate surfaces
- application of detergent and cleaning solutions
The following sections will present you in detail its power characteristics and design, its main features and all the additional features it has to offer.
Power
Its triplex pump, which utilizes a 177cc engine, may deliver a pressure of up to 3100 PSI (almost 52 times more than a standard garden hose) and a flow of up to 2.5 GPM. These values correspond to a cleaning power of 7750 Cleaning Units.
This gas-powered pressure washer’s KOHLER CH255 engine is started by a traditional pull-start mechanism.
Gasoline is stored in a steel fuel tank with a maximum capacity of 0.78 gallon.
Design & Handling
The wheelbarrow design of the NorthStar 1571221 grants mobility and stability to the unit. Its sturdy steel tubing frame provides longevity to the assembly. The handle adds to the 1571221 convenience of transport.
With a weight of 95 lbs, the model is not lightweight. Therefore, it may be challenging to manually carry it around and transport it. Its 177cc KOHLER CH255 engine, the triplex pump and steel tubing frame add up to a large chunk of the device's weight. However, the unit’s two 10" never-flat wheels are crucial to its maneuverability, since they provide a smooth method of manipulation on the job.
Main Features
Along with the NorthStar 1571221 itself, the package also includes a spray gun, a wand, a pressure hose, 4 nozzles and a detergent injection feature, which are discussed in further detail below.
- Soap injection: Even though the device doesn't have a soap tank, detergent is supplied by a siphon hose. The automatic soap dilution mechanism of the NorthStar 1571221 will dilute the detergent with a 15:1 ratio. If a soap nozzle is attached, the device will proceed to add the detergent to the water automatically.
- Pressure hose: The 50 ft ⌀3/8" high-pressure hose, which is included with the device, can be stored neatly on the unit itself when idle, using a set of convenient hooks.
- Spray gun and wand: A side hook allows for an easy storage of the included classic ergonomic spray gun and its wand.
- Nozzles: The following table illustrates the 4 included nozzles, along with the surfaces which they are the most suitable for.
15° | 25° | 40° | Soap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete, brick, masonry | Suitable | Suitable | Suitable | Suitable |
| Siding, gutters, house | Use with caution | Use with caution | Suitable | Suitable |
| Fencing, deck, patio | Use with caution | Use with caution | Suitable | Suitable |
| Lawn equipment, boat, RV | Use with caution | Use with caution | Use with caution | Suitable |
Note: The shape of the nozzles above is for illustration purposes only and may differ.
Red cross: Not recommended. Green check: Suitable. Orange check: Use with caution.
Other Features
- Onboard storage: The NorthStar 1571221's handy storage area lets you store nozzles and accessories, and thus, you’ll be always prepared and have everything necessary for the job at hand.
- Safety: Safety of operation is enhanced by a low oil protection, a thermal relief valve (which helps to prevent internal pump damage) and a trigger lock mechanism (which prevents accidental operation).
- Accessories: Besides the usual owner's manual (opens in a new tab) and documentation to get you promptly started, the NorthStar 1571221 comes with soap hose, spray gun, wand and pressure hose.
- Emissions: The NorthStar 1571221 is EPA-approved and CARB-compliant. Therefore, the sale and purchase of this pressure washer is permitted in all of the 50 states, including California.
The NorthStar 1571221's performance versus other pressure washers
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how the key specs of the NorthStar 1571221 compare to similarly priced pressure washers.
- The NorthStar 1571221, which can achieve a PSI of up to 3100, falls behind the other gas-powered pressure washers in the $600 to $700 price range. If your priority is the highest possible power of the water stream, in this price range, we suggest checking out the DeWalt DXPW3625, which reaches up to 3600 PSI.
- Considering its water flow, this washer, with a GPM (gallons per minute) of 2.5 is in the average compared to other devices in its price range. If being able to rinse away debris as efficiently as possible is your priority, one of the products with the highest GPM in this price range is the Stihl RB 400, with 2.7 GPM.
- With 7750 Cleaning Units (PSI X GPM), the 1571221 is on the low end when compared to other similarly priced gas-powered devices. If the highest overall cleaning power is your top priority, the Generac 6924, which can reach up to 9360 Cleaning Units, is one of the most efficient of the devices in the current price range.
Price comparison
As you can see from this interactive chart, when compared to other gas-powered washers between 7500 and 8000 Cleaning Units, the NorthStar 1571221 is on the expensive side of the price range.
While certainly not the cheapest of its cleaning power range, purchasing it could most likely also mean enjoying the reliability of a high-end product.
The bottom line
- Triplex pump
- Designed to be stable
- Good range of nozzles included
- Automatic detergent dilution
- Onboard storage
- Several security features
- CARB-compliant
- 10 year (limited) warranty
- Decent GPM for the price
- On the expensive side
- No soap tank
- Low PSI for the price
- Low CU for the price
About NorthStar
The NorthStar brand of outdoor power equipment is owned and distributed by the Northern Tool company, which was founded in 1981 in Minnesota, USA. The brand includes log splitters, generators, pressure washers, and air compressors. Though many of the components are manufactured in Northern Tool’s factory in China, NorthStar pressure washers are engineered, assembled, and tested in America, and powered by Honda engines. They include hot water, cold water, and soft-wash systems, along with many accessories. NorthStar brand products make up a large percentage of Northern Tool's product line.
Warranty Information
The NorthStar 1571221 is covered under a warranty for up to 10 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the unit.
For more information about the warranty of NorthStar pressure washers, please contact the NorthStar Customer Support: 1-800-270-0810.
