Differences between direct and belt driven pressure washers. In this photo you can see that the engine is connected directly to the pump. Liberty Hd Direct Drive Electric Or Gas Powered Hand Held Best Pressure Washer Pressure Washer Electric Pressure Washer In direct drive pressure washer, the pump is mounted directly to the engine, whereas in a belt drive pressure washer the engine drives the pump by turning a belt. Direct drive vs belt drive pressure washer . Benefits of direct drive • compact design • lower acquisition cost. Many of the direct drive washers will need to be “primed” to get the pump to spray water and will lose prime easily unless the water tank is mounted above the pump, and has fittings that are. On the other hand, in a direct drive washer, there is no transmission of energy to the drum via a transmission assembly like in belt drive washers. Direct drive washing machines are 28% more energy efficient when compared to belt drive washing machines. In a be...