WorldWide Drilling Resource

31 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MARCH 2018 Air Compressor Maintenance Tips Adapted from Information by Air Compressor Service Kits & Accessories Air compressors are useful invest- ments, but to get the most out of them, they must be properly maintained. This will allow the compressor to operate at maximum efficiency, increasing the life of the machine. One of the most important aspects of properly maintaining an air compres- sor is to read the owner’s manual. This is quite basic, but the manual will have specific maintenance recommendations from the manufacturer, which will help prolong the life of the compressor. The receiver tank of a compressor collects moisture from the air it com- presses. Most tanks have a valve for draining this moisture, and it must be drained regularly to prevent too much water from accumulating in the system. Before accessing the drain valve, the air pressure from the tank should be released. A filthy air filter can harm a compressor by allowing dirty air to enter the inner workings of the machine. If the compressor is forced to work too hard to intake air because of a dirty filter, it will lose power on its com- pression. This will gradually degrade the quality of the tool, so it is important to keep the air filters as clean as possible and check them regularly. It is also important to make sure the right kind of filter is used. Compressors which use oil must be checked on a daily basis to keep the fluid level at the right amount. It should be topped off when necessary and changed about every 300 hours of use. For engine-driven compressor units, periodically clean out the fuel tank to ensure opti- mal operating conditions. Cleaning out the engine should be done once every year or so to remove any residual buildup from the fuel. As a compressor operates, it will vibrate, causing the nuts, bolts, and screws to some- times become loose. Keep an eye on these fastenings and examine them every so often to see if they need to be tightened. Hoses are a crucial component of a compressor. If they are cracked or become too worn, it can put quite a bit of stress on the equipment and result in leakage. Any sign of corrosion or other damage means they should be replaced right away. Compressors have a built-in safety pressure valve. The function of this valve is to open if the compressor ’s pounds per square inch (psi) gets too high. By testing this feature, it will help prevent air receiver accidents from happening. If the intercooler f ins and tubes become dirty, then they can't do their job, which is to reduce the operating temper- atures of the air compressor. Clean them regularly by blowing them off with an air hose to keep the operating temperatures down. These tips will extend the life of the compressor and keep the machine oper- ating efficiently, allowing for more pro- ductivity on the jobsite. WWDR photo. Congratulat ions to: Tabatha Ker ley Hair ’s Pump Sales & Svc Knoxvi l le,, TN Winner for February! Time for a Little Fun! February Puzzle Solution: Central Mine Equipment Company Shakti Pumps USA, LLC Win a prize! Send your completed puzzle to: WWDR PO Box 660 Bonifay, FL 32425 or fax to: 850-547-0329 Can you identify which ads in this issue these two photos came from?