Parts Washers, What Types are There, and Which is Best for You

October 7, 2024

When it comes to using parts washers at your facility, a key factor to keep in mind is that there are many different types of parts washers each specifically designed for different applications. From a high-level, parts washers can be best categorized by manual or automatic. Within there are many subcategories of automatic parts washers such as agitation, spray, and ultrasonic. These categorizations can help define how much time and effort it will take to wash a part. Depending on the type of part being cleaned and your goals for cleaning, choosing the right type of parts washer can make all the difference. So, what are the differences and key benefits for the different types of parts washers?

Types of Parts Washers

Manual Parts Washers

A manual parts washer, as implied from the name, is a machine that’s washing operation is completed through the user. These are often equipped with a handheld brush that has a flow through nozzle attached to help eliminate oils, grease, or debris on the part. One of the key benefits about manual parts washers is their ability to quickly wash parts at the user’s pace. These units also double as a soak tank due to their large containment area. These capabilities make it great for any small-scale parts washing needs.

Automatic Parts Washers

An automatic parts washer is a unit that operates on a timed cycle to automatically wash the oil, grease, and contaminants from parts. Three popular styles of automatic parts washers are agitation units, spray units, and ultrasonic units. These are convenient for anyone who has many parts that need cleaning but doesn’t want to use their time washing each part individually. These types of washers also add increased safety for the user as the cleaning area is enclosed, reducing the possibility of an employee coming in contact with the cleaning chemistry. The difference between these machines lies within their specific cleaning methods.

Agitation & Spray Parts Washers

Agitation type parts washers periodically submerge the parts into a cleaning solution. This constant submersion of the parts work to agitate the debris. Throughout the cycle of the machine debris continuously breaks away from the part, leaving behind a clean surface.

A spray type parts washer has a moving parts tray that runs the parts through sprayers similar to how your typical home dishwasher works. These types of units utilize high temperatures to assist in removing debris.

When considering which of these is best for you depends on the type of parts you will be cleaning. An agitation unit would clean parts that have many cavities that a sprayer would not be able to reach. On the other hand, a spray washer is perfect for any parts that have all areas of the part accessible.

Ultrasonic Parts Washers

A unique member of the automatic parts washer family that has been trending in popularity are ultrasonic parts washers, well known for their effective cleaning method. They utilize high frequency soundwaves for in-depth precision cleaning to break down soils. These are perfect for any parts that have small cavities that can’t be easily reached. These machines can handle heavy parts such as cylinder heads, intake manifolds, and injector pumps. Ultrasonic parts washers are typically seen has a higher end solution but make up for it with their impressive cleaning capabilities.

Choosing The Best Parts Washer for You

When determining the right parts washer for your needs, the decision ultimately relies on the type of parts being cleaned, the importance of time efficiency, and your budget. While manual parts washers are more cost-efficient, they may not offer the same time-saving benefits as automatic parts washers. Each type of automatic washer has specific uses, and many variables must be considered to find the optimal solution for your business.

Crystal Clean’s experienced sales and service representatives can assess your operations and help identify the best parts washing machine to meet your specific requirements. Crystal Clean has a variety of manual and automatic parts washers that fit the variety of needs in the marketplace. You can view our full catalog of parts washers on our website.

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