Air Compressors

Many businesses require the performance and dependability of hydraulic air compressors, which can be found in either basic reciprocating models, or heavy-duty rotary-screw models. Rotary machines are optimized for continuous output with 100% duty cycles, which makes them ideal for high-powered jobs in industrial and manufacturing settings.

When buying hydraulic air compressors for your business, it's important that you look at all the features, rather than just at the PSI and CFM. Once you know exactly how the equipment operates and with what expectation of performance, you'll be able to make an informed decision.

Here's what should factor into your comparison:

• Easy installation - One of the main selling points of smaller hydraulic air compressors on the market today is the size and complexity of installation. A compact compressor that doesn't require a great deal of effort to install saves you money and requires less time to install and to operate. While you don't want to buy a compressor that can't perform to the level you need, the more compact the better.
• User-friendliness - If you're looking for a hydraulic compressor that won't cost your business more money than necessary, you'll want a fairly intuitive machine with user-friendly controls. Not only does this cut down on the training you have to provide, but it ensures that you have fewer mechanical failures and will allow you to better calculate performance. Talk with the manufacturer of a compressor about other features such as cold-start modes, standby operations, and system-status displays. These features can make your life much easier.
• Lifespan and mechanical failures - It's important to research hydraulic air compressors before you decide to buy, talking not only with the manufacturer, but also current users of different machines. How long do they tend to last, on average? And how often do they require servicing? A machine that runs smoothly for a long period of time and doesn't require much mechanical adjusting will save you significant money in the long run.
• Moving parts and duty cycle - You'll want your hydraulic compressor to have as few moving parts as possible to avoid mechanical failure and overheating. In addition, many businesses it is important to have a 100% duty cycle to avoid unnecessary interruptions, or as close to that figure as possible. This will ensure that your production stays high and you don't have to deal with continual break-downs of the mechanism.

Cost estimates

With leading manufacturers that include Iowa Mold Tooling (IMT), Drake-Scruggs, Gensco, and Boss Industries, the uses for a hydraulic air compressor are practically limitless and commonly include riveting, spring compression, floor jacks, and pneumatic tools. But they're also available in larger production-oriented models intended for industrial output.

• Small business/low output - Expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $600 for models that feature at least 10 tons of hydraulic pump pressure and can be integrated into frame/body straighteners, presses, jacks, and similar hydraulic tools.
• Industrial/production models - Larger models are available in the reciprocating and rotary screw types, capable of outputs that range from 40 CFM at 100 PSI to 110 CFM at 150 PSI. Prices start around $4,000 to $10,000, with midrange models available for $20,000 to $50,000, and extend well beyond $100,000 for large industrial-grade machines.

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