Air compressor psi question

[Timark80]

For CTL with tree mulcher setups.
What size gas powered air compressor do you use to blow out debris from the bellypan, and engine area?
I'm looking at 175 psi. truck mounted setup.
Will something smaller be enough to really get the job done?
The wheelbarrow compressors only have about 125 psi that I've seen.

 

[Bird]

For CTL with tree mulcher setups.
What size gas powered air compressor do you use to blow out debris from the bellypan, and engine area?
I'm looking at 175 psi. truck mounted setup.
Will something smaller be enough to really get the job done?
The wheelbarrow compressors only have about 125 psi that I've seen.

I've used compressors for years with a maximum pressure of 125 psi and that will do most jobs just fine. However, I'm currently using a compressor with a maximum of 155 psi and the difference is really noticeable. I'm spoiled to this now and wouldn't want to go back to a 125 psi compressor. My compressor use now is mostly using blow guns to clean stuff. I have one of the usual little short blow guns that is used most frequently, even for blowing out my electric razor and hair clippers, the 2' blow gun is used to clean the lawnmower and string trimmer after use, and the 4' blow gun is used to "sweep" the garage and shop floors and the sidewalk and driveways. If you can afford the 175 psi setup, I'd recommend you do it.

 

[ToadHill]

More important than pressure is volume of air and recovery time. If the compressor pushed out 175 psi but quickly drops and takes a long time to recover it won't be of much value to you.

 

[john_bud]

One thing may be to see if you can mount a small compressor on the CTL connected to a 10-20 gal tank. The small pump could fill the tank while working so there would be no waiting to blow out the chips / dust. Jeep forums and the off road guys post a lot of DIY's on this using old AC compressors.

jb

 

[cbturf]

I tried the 12V compressor approach and it was a miserable failure. I had the 150 psi compressor with a tank mounted under the truck bed and it took forever to fill the tank. It is waaaaaay to slow. I now have a gas powered twin tank compressor that works pretty good. I have ordered a gas powered screw type compressor that pumps 80 CFM. That is more than 9 times the volume of the reciprocating type compressor.

Vanair Manufacturing Inc.

Had to add that the under bed tank had to be filled several times each time I blew the machine and filters out.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I tried the 12V compressor approach and it was a miserable failure.

Did you have something like this: I've wanted one to save space on my flatbed.

12 VDC Extreme Duty Air Compressor - Oasis - Mfg# XD3000APE

 

[cbturf]

My 12V was a Viair not an Oasis. Oasis is the best 12V but it still only has an 8 cfm capacity. I was told that the screw type compressors are what I need to clean the mulchers nightly. I usually start working at daylight and try to run as late in the day as possible. With an 80 cfm compressor it will take seconds to clean the machines rather than needing an hour to clean up every night. In my dust out here in NM I blow the machine out (cab, filters and engine compartment) every single day.

 

[Timark80]

The one I'm looking at is sold by Northern Tool,13hp honda w/30 gal tank,175psi,26cfm.
$1799 with free shipping.

 

[cbturf]

26cfm is a good number in a reciprocating compressor. The 30 gallon tank is what is important. It looks like it would work to me for a ctl. Like I said earlier I have the wheelbarrow type and while it is good for filling tires and cleaining air filters but it takes to long to clean the machine. When the new machines are delivered and I have more that one mulcher to clean it will take half of the night to blow everything out.

 

[siduramaxde]

I am no expert but I have been in the landscaping industry for 10 years and have been doing full time commercial mowing for all of those 10 years. When I need to clean/blow out radiators or filters I just use a back pack blower. A $400 blower will move more air than just about any compressor. Plus you never have to wait for the tank to fill up. I don't think you need psi to move debris, you need volume. I think most backpack blowers are in the 600cfm range.

 

[cbturf]

I tried the blower thing and it dod not work for me. In the heavy dust it would not clean the radiators or air filters out. I still keep it around because it does work really good for cleaning out the radiator screen and is good for cleaning up the outside of the machine before loading it on a trailer and stuff.

 

[Timark80]

I am no expert but I have been in the landscaping industry for 10 years and have been doing full time commercial mowing for all of those 10 years. When I need to clean/blow out radiators or filters I just use a back pack blower. A $400 blower will move more air than just about any compressor. Plus you never have to wait for the tank to fill up. I don't think you need psi to move debris, you need volume. I think most backpack blowers are in the 600cfm range.

That will work in some cases,but when you need to remove debris in really tight areas such as between the bellypan and cab, a long thin wand is needed.
I will also need the compresssor for airtools on the jobsite and at home.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

my 2 cents would be to keep your CFM down if you are using an extension air gun. You can easily damage aluminum radiator fins and force air into places it shouldn't go. I have used an 8 cfm 125 psi compressor for years and have to blow out my Bobcats and Cat machines. I even use it to blow out the FAE mulcher housing, the inside of the cab, keep my air in my tires, etc. I use a 5 hp, 8 gallon wheelbarrow compressor that I keep on my flatbed. I keep on the truck 50' of hose, a pistol air gun, 2.5' extension gun, 600 ft.lb impact wrench, air chuck, and a small air cut off tool. I can get into just about every compartment I need to with the gun and it will blow out the machine clean without too much air velocity that could damage the radiators as I mentioned above. I would like to have about 10-13 cfm max, however, but I don't want the extra weight or size of a larger compressor. If I thought the Oasis would hold up, I'd go that route to save space on the flatbed.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I've used compressors for years with a maximum pressure of 125 psi and that will do most jobs just fine. However, I'm currently using a compressor with a maximum of 155 psi and the difference is really noticeable. I'm spoiled to this now and wouldn't want to go back to a 125 psi compressor. My compressor use now is mostly using blow guns to clean stuff. I have one of the usual little short blow guns that is used most frequently, even for blowing out my electric razor and hair clippers, the 2' blow gun is used to clean the lawnmower and string trimmer after use, and the 4' blow gun is used to "sweep" the garage and shop floors and the sidewalk and driveways. If you can afford the 175 psi setup, I'd recommend you do it.

I agree. Higher pressure is much nicer. Get beyond the marginal range and dial it back to suit. Performance at higher pressure becomes increasingly dependent on going to 2 stage compression. You will not get decent delivery at 150 with single stage because the effective compression ratio is much lower than with a 2 stage.

As anecdote, I have an old Kellogg American 2 stage rated for up to 250PSI. When I hooked it up Iwas used to 150 on a single stage. With the same motor the 2 stage held pressure better. After a little while I went ahead and upped it to 170, but quickly noticed that blogun air on my fingers actually hurt at that pressure. I set it back to 160. Nite/day difference. I now use the higher pressure only when needed [rarely]. I believe it is dangerous on the skin.
larry