Direct driven pumps are when the pump is directly mounted on the engine, in this case the pump will be spinning at the same rpm as the engine. Belt driven pumps are when the engine and pump shafts both have a pulley on them and are connected and driven by a belt, this allows the pump to spin at a much lower rpm than the engine (generally at 1/2 to 1/3 of the engine rpm).

Direct drives have the benefit of being more compact, lighter weight and a lower upfront cost. But with the pump directly mounted on the engine and spinning at the same speed, the pump will generally need maintenance sooner and the vibrations from the engine will be felt on the pump as well.

Belt drive has the benefit of less wear and tear on the pump, leading to lower maintenance costs and longer life. With the added components needed to connect the pump and motor in this case, there is also an added weight to the pressure washer. There will also be a higher up front cost to belt drive units compared to their direct drive counterpart.

If you are needing to draw from a gravity fed source such as a water tank or float tank, belt drive is the best choice. With the pump spinning at a lower rpm, the stroke distance will need to increase in order to move the same amount of water. The increased stroke increases the suction ability of the pump and allows the belt driven pump to do a better job drawing water from the gravity fed sources.

Check out the video below where Fritz goes over Landa HD cold water units (belt and direct drive) and if you have any questions feel free to give us a call at 763-521-4442 or email us at sales@americanpressureinc.com and we can help you decide if belt drive or direct drive is the right option for you!