It’s no secret that Aussie Pumps source 90% of their petrol engines from the mighty Honda! The big H is featured on a wide range of Aussie’s products from little 1” self-priming pumps to big heavy duty pressure cleaners for industrial applications.
They rely on the Honda network, not only for service and support, but something which is all part of the Honda mystique. Honda dealers are generally reliable, responsible and interested in growing their business. Many of them have become Aussie Pumps dealers over the years and picked up on Aussie’s great range of pumps and pressure cleaners.
THE BIRTH OF THE JETTER
Around 25 years ago, a plumber walked into Aussie’s 2 ½ acre factory at Castle Hill, Sydney, asking if pressure cleaners could be turned into drain cleaning jetters.
“We didn’t even know what that meant,” said Aussie’s Chief Engineer, John Hales.
The company started working with plumbers around the country and checking developments overseas. “We found that in Europe, they use big flow and low pressures, thinking that 2,000 psi was high pressure. They use 120 lpm at 2,000 psi that can create a power of water but would not be suitable for Australian domestic drain cleaning applications”, said Hales.
The evolution has been significant. Today, Australian Pump produces huge numbers of Jetters, designed for Australian consumers. They are now being used all over the world, including China.
“We thought they would just copy us, but no, they say the Chinese machines are sub-standard, just like the pressure cleaners they export to Australia,” says Hales.
THE FINAL CHOKE SOLUTION
The company started out with a 4,000 psi machine with 20 lpm flow.
“That’s quite a lot of whack when it’s being rammed up a blocked drain with a reverse jet nozzle and good quality jetting hose,” said Hales.
The Aussie Cobra was driven by a Honda GX620 (now 630) and had a galvanised steel box frame with the world’s best pump, a big heavy duty TTL series Bertolini with finned crank-case for cool running. The machines are also gearbox drive, no belts or pulleys, nothing to cause ingress of any kind of dirt or dust to the drive train. The product range has opened right up to big machines, with the Aussie Python producing up to 31 lpm at 4,200 psi. The King Cobra, produces 5,000 psi pressure and a choice of either a 16 or 23 litre flow. The more pressure and flow, the better, based on the amount of horsepower available. More recently, the company has been using the iGX800, Honda’s intelligent 25 hp model.
AUSSIE GOES STAINLESS STEEL
Aussie has updated it’s Jetter range to stainless steel, even hose reels!
“We saw that 90% of plumbers in Australia, just like the population, are living reasonably close to the coast (within 40 km). To avoid rust, the frame, water tank and trolley are now in elegant stainless steel with hose reels and the Mini Reel, a remote control portable reel that enables the operator to work 60 metres away from the ‘Mother Ship’ also in stainless steel,” said Hales.
The company has now developed a Mine Boss version that features a diesel engine and can be trailer mounted.
If you’re a Honda dealer, servicing our Jetters can put you in a position where you can open up a whole new stream of income. You could supply plumbers with replacement nozzles, hose assemblies, even new machines.
