CE EQUIPMENT CONNECTION - Compact Equipment

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Every compressor salesperson claims to have the best product for the best price, but how can a contractor determine they’re getting the right compressor for the job? How does a contractor know what size compressor is needed? How powerful should the engine be? What should you expect of your dealer or rental house? According to Ted Flatt, director of strategic accounts for portable compressors at Ingersoll Rand, keep one thing in mind when choosing a compressor: What is the compressed air going to drive? Once you know the application, it’s just a matter of matching the intended use to a specifi c compressor size. Applications The majority of uses for compressed air in construction applications are for cleaning, blasting, renovation, installation or demolition. Abrasive Blasting Abrasive blasting applications use compressed air to remove scale, paint and rust from surfaces in order to prepare metal surfaces for painting, enameling and tinting. Compressors can also be used in conjunction with abrasive materials, such as sand and steel grit, to blast paint and residue off of bridges and water towers. Painting In painting applications, compressors are used to power painting tools and speed painting productivity on a variety of surfaces. For example, truck-mounted compressor models are often used for highway line painting. Utility Compressed air can be used in utility applications to operate air tools when repairing electric, water and sewer lines. Contractors can also use the air pressure for line testing to ensure there are no leaks and determine whether or not a line is able to hold certain levels of pressure. Compressors are also often used for powering directional drilling equipment laying fi ber-optic cable. Demolition Portable compressors are an ideal power source for pneumatic and hydraulic tools used to break concrete pavement, demolish concrete foundations and walls, as well as to cut pavement and sub-base. “Tools designed to be used with air compressors will have a pressure and volume rating listed on them,” says Flatt. “By knowing those two numbers, it’s just a matter of selecting the model that provides enough pressure and volume to run the tool. Basically, selecting a compressor requires matching the intended application to the pressure and volume of air necessary to complete the project.” 32 Compact Equipment January 2008 compactequip.com
The most important intangible factor to consider when making a purchase is the sales support that comes with the compressor — parts, service, warranties and the relationship with the dealer. The dealer should serve as a consultant when selecting the best compressor. Pressure and Volume Pressure and volume are the two most important variables when selecting a compressor. Pressure is notated in terms of pounds-per-square inch (psig), and volume is referenced in terms of cubic-feet-per-minute (cfm). Most manufacturers offer a wide range of diesel-driven portable compressors starting at 90 to 1,600 cfm and pressure ranging from 100 to 350 psig. Some compressor distributors carry smaller, portable electric compressor models ranging from 2.6 to 15 cfm, as well as larger, tow-behind or skid-mounted models. For the majority of construction applications, a contractor needs a compressor in the 90- to 250-cfm range. Pressure When selecting the compressor, the fi rst variable to investigate is the pressure rating, according to Flatt. An understanding of pressure rating can be derived from the particular model name on the compressor unit. For example, Flatt says Ingersoll Rand has assigned a lettering system to each model in order to understand each unit’s operating pressure output. For example, the letter “P” equals 100 psig, the letters “HP” equal 150 psig, the letters “VHP” equal 250 psig and the letters “XHP” equal 350 psig. Most general construction applications, which include operating light pneumatic tools, require a compressor with at least 100 psig. Applications such as blasting or painting can require compressors with operating pressure in the 150-psig range. Volume According to Flatt, the second variable a contractor needs to determine when choosing the right compressor is the amount of air volume necessary to operate the tool. The volume rating of the compressor can also be identifi ed by the number on the compressor. All manufacturers use the same numbering system for the volume rating, so it is easy to identify the volume of air being delivered by the compressor. For instance, a compressor with 185 in the model name denotes a unit that outputs 185 cfm of air. Tool Guidelines Determine the necessary volume for the application by the size and the number of tools that will be running off the compressor. The more tools expected to run off one compressor, the higher volume of compressor will be needed. Any compressor distributor will be able to provide the necessary cfm for each tool and can help determine which size of compressor is needed to fulfi ll the requirements of the job. A good guide to follow when selecting a compressor is to size the compressor for the maximum tool-to-cfm ratio of the tools expected to be used. This is true whether one or multiple tools are employed. For multiple tools, add up the cfm required from each tool and size the compressor accordingly to the total cfm needed. For a single tool, size the compressor to run one, two or three of that particular tool. For instance, the largest paving breaker might be approximately 85 cfm; therefore, to operate one breaker a 90-cfm compressor is needed, for two breakers a 185-cfm sized compressor is needed or to run three breakers a 250-cfm compressor should be used. The most common air compressor for general contractors offers approximately 185 cfm. This size of unit will comfortably operate two pneumatic tools, such as a paving breaker or clay spade. “When you know what the tool’s cfm rating is, sizing a compressor to meet the application is very easy to do,” says Flatt. What to Consider When Making a Purchase “All compressor manufacturers in the 90- to 250-cfm range offer oil-fl ooded, rotary screw models with asymmetrical profi les,” says Flatt. “So, when it comes down to choosing the brand of compressor, consider other factors.” compactequip.com January 2008 Compact Equipment 33
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