Powerhorse 115178 - 3800 PSI 3.6 GPM 274cc Gas Pressure Washer
The Powerhorse 115178 is a gas-powered pressure washer offering a maximum water pressure of 3800 PSI and flow of 3.6 GPM. (Read full specs)
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Description
Zoom on the Powerhorse 115178
The Powerhorse 115178, a heavy duty, commercial pressure washer, gives its user an all-around versatile cleaning experience, topped off by the following features:
- comprehensive cleaning of hard surfaces, vehicle washing, and readying surfaces for painting
- gentle cleaning of delicate surfaces, and low pressure cleaning of larger areas
- using cleaning solutions, and rinsing surfaces to remove residue
Ahead are presented its power characteristics and design, its main features and any other additional features.
Power
Fueled by a powerful 274cc engine, its triplex pump can generate a forceful pressure of 3800 PSI (roughly 63 times that of a standard garden hose) and a flow rate of up to 3.6 GPM (values claimed by the manufacturer). When these values are taken together, they yield a cleaning power of 13680 Cleaning Units.
To initiate the engine of this gas-powered pressure washer, a traditional pull-start mechanism is employed.
The pressure washer's tank has a maximum capacity of 1.32 gallon for storing gasoline.
Design & Handling
The Powerhorse 115178's wheelbarrow-style design enhances both mobility and stability, enabling seamless navigation and consistent performance, even on rugged terrain. Built to endure, the steel tubing frame ensures the assembly's longevity by providing stability and safeguarding internal components under all working conditions. The reversible handle offers further versatility, as its different positions make the unit less bulky when stored.
At 120 lbs, this unit's substantial weight makes it quite a challenge for users to lift and maneuver, particularly on uneven surfaces where its heft can become even more apparent. Its 274cc engine, the triplex pump and steel tubing frame add up to a large chunk of the device's weight. Despite this, the presence of two 10" pneumatic wheels reduces the complexity of moving the 115178, even on rugged surfaces.
Main Features
The Powerhorse 115178 comes with a spray gun, a wand, a pressure hose, 4 nozzles and a detergent injection feature, which are detailed below.
- Soap injection: Detergent storage is ensured by a dedicated tank. The Powerhorse 115178 includes an automatic soap dilution mechanism, allowing detergent to be diluted to the ratio of 15:1 with ease. The detergent is automatically mixed with the water flow by the pressure washer when a soap nozzle is connected.
- Pressure hose: The unit comes equipped with an included 35 ft ⌀3/8" high-pressure hose, which can be neatly stored on the unit when idle, thanks to a set of convenient hooks, ensuring easy access and organization.
- Spray gun and wand: Both the classic ergonomic spray gun and its wand may be conveniently stored in a side hook.
- Nozzles: The following table provides information on the 4 included nozzles and their recommended surface uses.
15° | 25° | 40° | Soap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete, brick, masonry | ||||
| Siding, gutters, house | ||||
| Fencing, deck, patio | ||||
| Lawn equipment, boat, RV |
Please be aware: The shapes of the depicted nozzles are for illustration purposes and may differ. Symbols utilized include a indicating 'Not recommended,' a for 'Suitable,' and an for 'Use with caution.'
Other Features
- Onboard storage: With the Powerhorse 115178's handy storage area, you’ll always have all the necessary nozzles and accessories at hand and thus, you’ll be fully prepared for any job.
- Safety: Safety of operation is enhanced by a trigger lock mechanism (which prevents accidental operation), a thermal relief valve (which helps to prevent internal pump damage) and a low oil protection.
- Accessories: Included with the Powerhorse 115178 are also the owner's manual (opens in a new tab) and some basic documentation to get you promptly started, along with several accessories, such as wand, pressure hose and spray gun.
The Powerhorse 115178's performance versus other pressure washers
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how the key specs of the Powerhorse 115178 compare to similarly priced pressure washers.
- The Powerhorse 115178, with a max water pressure of 3800 PSI, has one of the higher PSI values of the gas-powered products in the $600-700 price range. If the highest possible power of the water stream is your priority, one of the champions in this price range is the Briggs & Stratton 20507 with 4000 PSI.
- Featuring a water flow of up to 3.6 GPM, this washer sits at the upper echelon of the aforementioned price range, providing a generous volume of water. If rinsing away debris most efficiently is your priority, one of the devices with the highest GPM in this price range is the Briggs & Stratton 20507, which can reach up to 4 GPM.
- With a rather impressive value of 13680 Cleaning Units (PSI X GPM), the 115178 has a higher cleaning efficiency compared to similarly priced devices. If the highest overall cleaning power is your top priority, the Briggs & Stratton 20507, which can reach up to 16000 Cleaning Units, is one of the most efficient of the devices in the current price range.
Price comparison
As you can see from these interactive charts, when compared to other gas-powered washers between 13500 and 14000 Cleaning Units, the Powerhorse 115178 is on the cheap side of the price range.
It can therefore be a really good buy if you're looking to acquire a budget pressure washer.
The bottom line
- Inexpensive
- Triplex pump
- Designed to be stable
- Good range of nozzles included
- Automatic detergent dilution
- Onboard storage
- Several security features
- High PSI for the price
- High GPM for the price
- High CU for the price
The Powerhorse 115178 doesn't have any notably low specs.
Features and Specifications
| Fuel | Gas-Powered |
|---|---|
| Engine | 274cc OHV 4-stroke |
| Pump | Triplex |
| Water | Cold (104°F max.) |
| PSI | 3800 |
| GPM | 3.6 |
| Cleaning Units | 13680 |
| Frame | Steel tubing |
|---|---|
| Handling | Wheelbarrow |
| Wheels | 2 wheels, ⌀10", pneumatic |
| Weight | 120 lbs |
| Dimensions | Approx. 34 x 21 x 28 in (L x W x H) |
| Hose storage | Hooks |
| Soap injection | Yes |
|---|---|
| Soap tank | Yes |
| Soap dilution | 15:1 |
| Nozzles | 15°, 25°, 40°, Soap |
| Quick connect nozzles | Yes |
| Onboard storage | Yes |
| Hose | 35 ft, ⌀3/8 |
| Security | Low oil, trigger lock and thermal relief valve |
|---|---|
| Emissions | EPA |
| Included accessories | Wand, spray gun, high pressure hose, 4 nozzles |
| Warranty | 2 years |
We've taken extra care to research and verify each of the specifications above. That said, occasional mistakes or omissions are still possible. If you spot any missing or inaccurate information, feel free to suggest a correction so we can address it.
About Powerhorse
The Powerhorse outdoor power products brand offers a range of gas- and electric-powered tools including pressure washers, log splitters, wood chippers/shredders, and electric generators. Also available are engines and water pumps. With a motto of "Power You Can Depend On", Powerhorse is a trademarked brand name that is distributed exclusively by the Northern Tool & Equipment Company Inc.
Warranty Information
The Powerhorse 115178 is covered under a warranty for up to 2 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the unit.
For more information about the warranty of Powerhorse pressure washers, please contact the Powerhorse Customer Support: 1-866-443-2576.

