While there’s no substitute for having your air compressor(s) maintained by a professional servicer, everyone working closely with these machines should have a basic understanding of how to care for them. This will ensure the ongoing best performance and longest lifespan for your company’s valuable equipment. For that reason, we’ve put together this brief – but hopefully very useful – guide to air-compressor maintenance.
Check for Loose Nuts/Bolts
With extended use, it is inevitable that some or all of the bolts and nuts on an air compressor will be worked loose due to the vibrations going through the machine. For this reason, operators/maintainers should occasionally check these fasteners by hand, then tighten them with a wrench where necessary.
Check for Worn Hoses
Air hoses are obviously a crucial part of any air compressor. Over time, they can begin to wear through or develop creases as a result of pressure changes and just from general operation. To avoid a reduction in the unit’s performance – or worse – it is best to replace a hose when it reaches this stage.
Regularly Drain the Water
Air compressors are designed to provide dry air, which they do by removing moisture and collecting it in a tank. This tank should never be left too long without being drained. The water might become stale, potentially tainting the air, or it could overflow into other parts of the machine causing problems.
Regularly Clean the Intake Vents
How quickly the intake vents of your air compressor grow clogged will depend on the working environment and the tools with which it is being used. As a rough rule, they should be cleaned every few months to maintain overall effectiveness. However, more demanding conditions will require more frequent cleaning.
Regularly Change the Filter
Regularly in this case usually means around once a year, but as with the intake vents, situations vary. An air-compressor filter that has degraded to the point where it cannot remove all of the impurities from the air supply is essential useless. It must be changed before it costs you a lot of time and money in unsatisfactory work.
Fill/Replace the Oil (if Applicable)
Not every air compressor uses oil. If yours does then the oil needs to be kept topped up. Also, as with a car’s oil, it should be completely replaced regularly. Put in a fresh supply of oil every few months or so to ensure that the unit’s components remain lubricated and do not wear down prematurely.
Clean the Fuel Tank (if Applicable)
Not every air compressor has a fuel tank, either. If yours does then it will need cleaning maybe once a year to stop any kind of toxic build-up within the tank. This process involves draining and vacuuming. You may decide it is best left to a professional servicer.
Got a Question About Air Compressors?
We can answer it! For expert advice on all of your compressed-air and pneumatic-system needs in the south-east Queensland region, don’t hesitate to contact Cospaker Pneumatics. You can find the phone numbers for our Gold Coast, Brisbane, Beenleigh and Tweed Heads offices on our website here.