PO WE R SOU R CE S | By Alexis Sheprak
5 BASICS of Air Compressor Maintenance Air compressor service could be the difference between a successful application or a costly breakdown.
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s with any piece of equipment, a strong maintenance program for air compressors will ensure a longer life and optimal performance. Not only that, but properly caring for them will maximize the time they’re available to use on your jobsite. “Proper maintenance extends equipment life, reduces unexpected breakdowns and improves resale value,” says Bryan McCarron, Mi-T-M Air Compressor Division manager. “Good running equipment provides the customer a good experience.” Fortunately, these worksite staples don’t require a lot of expensive upkeep or time-consuming fixes. However, because of that, it can be easy to forget or neglect them, which makes for a costly oversight. To help keep air compressors up and running over the long run, here are some top maintenance tips from suppliers.
TIP #1: READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL Reading the owner’s manual is step No. 1 and the most
important. Air compressors differ significantly from model to model, so checking the manual first will make sure
you’re maintaining it properly for that distinct model’s specifications and factory maintenance intervals. The manual will detail simple tips that will help you get a longer life out of your compressor and will highlight important steps that you might not have known about otherwise. It will also point out specific time intervals during which maintenance items need to take place in
30 EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | October 2021
ABOVE: Kaeser Compressors offers an auxiliary diagnostic tool that allows the user to view additional information, which can be helpful in evaluating higher level messages from the equipment prior to contacting the local service provider for support. LEFT: To ensure proper maintenance of the compressor, units should be inspected daily for fuel level, oil level and battery voltage.
order to avoid costly equipment failures or breakdowns. While some may think they’re smarter than the manual, it’s safe to say that your equipment’s future will be better off if you take the time to read it.
equipment for any damage that might have occurred during prior use. When it comes to daily prechecks, check hoses for kinks, inspect electrical wiring for cuts and fraying, examine tubing and piping for damage and make sure connections are tight. Then, look over controls, gauges, accessories and instruments, making certain there are no loose mountings or damage. Before use, run through the list of basic maintenance checks to ensure the unit is functional. “These preventative maintenance checks only take a few minutes, but they can add months or years to the service life of a machine,” says Dan Leiss, president, Jenny Products.
TIP #2: DAILY PRE-CHECKS
TIP #3: CHECK OIL LEVELS
Checking your equipment every day will help you avoid costly equipment failures. It’s important to thoroughly check
Like your car, many air compressor models feature oil and either a dipstick or an indicator (like a sight gauge) to monitor
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its levels. According to Tehran Browne, product engineer, Mobilair, Kaeser Compressors, compressor oil is extremely important to the function of the compressor. “Compressor oil lubricates the rotors, seals the rotors to prevent air leakage and removes heat from the air. One underrated quality of compressor oil is that oil is also responsible for cleaning the air of dust and particulates that make it past the air filter,” Browne explains. Compressor oil should be checked daily prior to operation in order to ensure it is topped off and clean. You should be changing the oil completely if it’s contaminated, or on an annual basis to ensure maximum functioning. Regardless, it’s critical to use the compressor oil specified in the service manual. “Compressors are designed with a specific type of oil in mind in regards to heat absorption, and incorrect compressor oil can lead to overheating or
