High-pressure pumps manufacturer Hawk has expanded its hot water range with the launch in July of a 3 kW single-phase, diesel burner hot-water pressure washer that is ideal for removing stubborn grease and grime.

“The unit complements our existing hot water range, which comprises the 380 V and 525 V Hawk E-Hot electric hot water pressure washers, diesel engine units and trailers and the 380 V D-hot,” says Hawk national technical sales and operations manager Troy Mokawem.

Whereas most hot water washers are three-phase, Hawk saw a gap in the market for a 230 V single-phase unit, as it can be used in “most places in South Africa”.  

Supplied with a stainless-steel trolley-type chassis, the washer operates at a pressure of 150 bar, has a flow rate of 11 ℓ of water a minute and heats water optimally up to 85 °C. To produce hotter water, the diesel burner would consume more diesel than is cost-effective.

Described by Mokawem as durable, solid and reliable, the single-phase unit was developed from the ground up over two months.

“While it entailed starting from scratch – from building the chassis to figuring out where to locate the boiler for ease of use – there were no challenges faced during development.”

Manufacturing has, however, been challenged this year by shipping issues, owing to stock shortages caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. “While the boiler, pump and the unloader valve for regulating water pressure are imported, all the other components are manufactured locally,” adds Mokawem, noting that Hawk has no plans to increase the single-phase unit’s local content as “no one in South Africa can make pumps and/or boilers like the Italians”.

The washer is assembled by hand in-house at Hawk’s factory in Congela, Durban, and takes two to three weeks to manufacture from date of order.

Hawk has only produced the prototype of this single-phase unit, but expects the mining and tanker cleaning sectors to represent the greatest demand for this product.

“We are currently selling many hot water units to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the cleaning of mining vehicles,” highlights Mokawem, adding that Hawk supplies its hot water units throughout Africa.