In order to know the quality of a certain air compressor, you should check out the assembly of the frame or tank and how it is constructed. Another factor that should be checked is the brand of the pump used by the air compressor. Machines with brand name mean less maintenance and equipment with longer life. To know if the tank or frame assembly is high quality, check the thickness of the low gauge steel and the construction of the welded tanks. It should be noted that once the welding tank’s diameter is greater than 6 inches, it means that the welder that made component is certified by ASME to make sure there is minimum tank leakage and not prone to compressor downtime.
Another important consideration is the vibration level – it should be low. The compressor pumps together with the engine are placed on top of the base plate or saddle. The plate’s thickness will help control the vibration if it is thicker. The area where the belt guard is can sometimes give out very noisy vibration which is not good to be heard by customers because they will assume the compressor is not working efficiently. Air compressors that can stamp their belt guards can help minimize the vibration of the machine. The cooling efficiency of the compressor will also be increased with the help of stamped openings.
When renting an air compressor, make sure to check if it comes with external components that could easily be damaged during transport. This is very common in case of compressors that have a copper line located between the tank inlet and the compressor pump. To avoid any damage, the tubing should be routed so it does not get in the way of other equipment. If you prefer a more professional looking assembly then braided hose made of stainless steel is a better alternative.
Units that are equipped with components that are fitted into the machine will help avoid damages on parts such as the relief valves, regulators, gauges and unloaders. The machine should be scheduled for maintenance before it is send for rental to make sure it will have a longer lifespan. If you have new air compressors, it should be sent for maintenance after it has been used for more than 25 hours. Maintenance also cover changing the oil of the compressor and the engine.