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Portable compressor care

20 things to do – or not do; Right-sized compressors can provide economical, reliable power to rental customers.


By Chance Chartters

Compressed air at work
Inspecting hoses for cracks and excessive wear prior to use can prevent injury.
Kaeser air compressor
Right-sized compressors can provide economical, reliable power to rental customers.

Rental houses operate at the speed of their customers and that means keeping up with a very fast pace. One of the pieces of equipment that routinely goes in and out the door is a portable air compressor. 

Portable compressors are built for longevity and to be user friendly so they can keep up with life in the rental house lane. It’s important, however, to make time to wisely (and safely) operate and maintain them. Here are 10 quick tips for the safety, maintenance, and sizing of portable air compressors. 

Safety
Don’t use compressed air to blow off, dust or clean yourself off. Compressed air is dangerous and misuse can lead to serious injury and even death. For the same reason, never point compressed air lines at another person.

Don’t use cracked or worn hoses. It’s easy for hoses to get run over when out on rent. Take the time to carefully inspect them before use. If you see any cracks or signs of excessive use, play it safe and don’t use the hose.

Depressurize the hose prior to disconnecting. It’s also important to make sure the hose and compressor discharge fittings are properly sized. Part of the connection should include a safety pin; use this feature to prevent the fittings from disconnecting unexpectedly and fishtailing dangerously out of control.

Do have operators wear the proper safety gear while using the compressor. This includes, but is not limited to, safety vest, goggles, proper footwear, gloves and hearing protection. 

Do make sure customers understand how to safely operate the compressor they are renting. It’s a good idea to provide a short, easy-to-understand pamphlet with key safety warnings and instructions. With the hustle and bustle of a rental house, it’s common to be rushed with getting customers the equipment they need so they can get back to tackling their jobs. A pamphlet with safety information can be a great way to get them the right information so they can be safe out on the job site.

Maintenance
Don’t use aftermarket parts to maintain portable compressors. Aftermarket parts may be cheaper up front, but will most likely cost more money and cause more headaches in the long run. 

The manufacturer’s stated performance parameters, such as fuel consumption, air output and maintenance intervals are based on using genuine replacement parts. By using will-fit replacement parts, there is a greater chance that the unit will not achieve the same level of performance or may need to be replaced more frequently. 

Finally, check your warranty—using aftermarket parts may void it.

Do keep a service manual on hand and refer to it for important service-related information. Manuals contain a wealth of helpful information about the unit, including how to perform some of the basic, regular maintenance items. They are also a quick reference for part numbers for consumables. Consider keeping a copy with the unit and a spare in the office.

Do adjust service intervals based on the environment. The service intervals listed in the manual are an excellent starting point. 

Keep in mind that they are averages. If, for example, you have a rental house that is exposed to either very hot or very cold temperatures, it’s highly likely that the time between routine maintenance will need to be adjusted. If you or your maintenance staff is unsure of how to build a maintenance plan for rental compressors, talk with the manufacturer. They will be able to tailor a program that fits your needs.

Sizing
Don’t oversize the compressor for the job. Oversizing does no one any favors. Customers lose out because they will be paying for more fuel than necessary on the larger compressor and it also wastes air. Rental centers also lose by sending out a larger unit that could be better applied to a larger job.

Size the compressor for the tools. Portable compressors are sized based on the amount of air they can compress to 100 psi in one minute, listed in cubic feet per minute (cfm). 

Here are some common pneumatic tools and their air requirements:

  • 90-lb. breaker: 90 cfm
  • 60-lb. breaker: 60 cfm
  • Chipping hammer: 35-40 cfm
  • Rivet buster: 45-50 cfm

When sizing a compressor for a job, discuss with the customer the tools they want to run and which ones would be running simultaneously. Add up the air volume needed by each of the tools and select the portable compressor to meet it.

No matter how busy it gets, take the time for safety, maintenance and sizing. Doing so will keep your customers coming back to you and will keep your portable compressors at the ready for whatever job walks through your door. 

Chance CharttersChance Chartters is the sales manager
for Kaeser’s Mobilair portable
compressor line.
Visit www.us.kaeser.com/mobilair
for more information.
 

This story originally appeared in the July-August 2017 issue of Pro Contractor Rentals magazine. Copyright 2017 Direct Business Media.

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