Air tank on tractor.

[BTDT]

What's the power plug for on the front of your tractor, you have a washer and dryer on that thing?

 

[Bedlam]

Funny thing, After posting this two things happened.
One was I say the pic I posted, and thought I wonder if anyone will see that outlet.
It is a dryer outlet. I use the two angled terminals connected to the battery,
The third is left blank. I then used a three prong pigtail, available at most any good landfill. (code now requires a four prong setup).
Connected the pigtail to a set of used jumper cables, and an m able to just lug it in and jump cars etc.( there store bought connectors are expensive)
The second thing that happened, was not unexpected. It lost air in the tank almost overnight.
The tank was given to me by a "friend". And it has a pin hole leak in it, I just wish this "friend' had told me he thought it was "bad'. I could deal with that.But he has a habit of not telling why a truck company would replace it.LOL
Anyway, Its a pinhole size hole in the tank itself, which seems quite sold . I am thinking drill it out and plug it. But I'm not sure if the inside has deteriorated or not.
Any ideas??
Here is a pic of the tank in testing.
the wife was home and caught me.
Yes first time I filled the tub in a long time.seeding tire leaks etc I think a tub is a requirement in the garage.
If anyone has any ideas let me know..
Guess maybe I should have gone with mounting the store bought tank..

 

[BTDT]

I don't know if these are still available or not, but my dad had a hose with an air chuck on one end and a threaded piece that would screw into the spark plug hole on the other, when he needed air in a tire, he could pull out a spark plug on truck, screw end into spark plug hole, crank truck and air up tire. I think he originally got it at JC Whitney. Kind of primitive but it worked.

 

[Bedlam]

I can almost remember that.
I have rented a compressor that was a six cylinder and converted so it drew air for three of the cylinders.
I wonder if a small lawn mower engine could be adapted to be spun with the PTO shaft.But I don't think id use it enough to go that route. I drilled the leak in the tank out, it was less rusted than I thought. . I threaded it and put in a plug. Hope that fixes the trouble.
Food for thought though.
Al

 

[bx23barry]

A/C compressors make great engine driven air compressors and have an electric clutch already on the pulley.

 

[Bedlam]

I was wondering about an AC pump, and use a pressure relief valve also.
I just sent two cars with AC to the junk yard too. My only remaining one is non ac.. Always seems to be the case, once you get rid of it you need it.I wonder if it was mounted direct drive to PTO how much air would get produced at 540 ? (If I didn't mount it on the engine.)
Seems even if it were small amount , it may be enough to fill a tire , as thats all id be looking for.
Al

 

[Swisher]

Here is one you don't need a tank.

Amazon.com: NorthStar PTO Air Compressor Kit Attaches to Your Tractor for Portable Air: Tools & Hardware

 

[Swisher]

I think I saw one at Northern Tool also.

 

[Bedlam]

well thanks . that looks like just what I envisioned.
Hope the price is what I envisioned too LOL

 

[montanaman]

Just a few ideas from me. The portable air tanks are usually prety cheap to buy and you don't need to worry about what condition they are in if you buy one new. They also have expiration dates on them which is enough to make me nervous!! I'd ignore the dates if you drain it and take good care of it.

Pressure can kill so I'd be carefull fixing a rusty tank.

Don't ask, but years back at a slow day at work, we exploded a 64oz Pepsi bottle and everyone from the office came out to the shop to see what all the noise was. Made a 12 gauge sound like a cap gun. I think we passed it off as a tire blowing or something and I had the hardest time not laughing and wetting myself!

As far as using a car AC compressor for an on board air, I love the idea and have a few on hand if that day ever gets here! You want to use the York compressors because they contain oil in the compressor while many styles have the oil traveling in the system. Use the type without a sump and it won't live long.

I know that older Fords used the York's as well as big trucks and I think Volvo. I'm sure there are other brands that used it too.

Like has been mentioned, you have the built in 12 volt clutch that can be hooked to a pressure switch so it will cycle when needed and won't take any power when it isn't being used. If there is room, under hood would be great but it could be easily built into a self contained 3 point unit as long as you have a 12 volt feed to the back of the tractor.

I had dreams of doing this on my old 78 Chevy K-20 but mother nature got the best of her :-( Very popular in off roading as well as the alternator powered welders.

Ken