Puma 7.5 HP 3 Cylinder Compressor

larry4406 · Jan 21, 2010

Do any of you have any experieince with Puma compressors and in particular the TUE-7580VM?

I have the chance to get a new one delivered for less than $1500. Below are pictures and specs's as near as I can determine (not a lot of info out there which is scary). It appears to be identical to the Greg Smith Atlas AirForce-9.

Appears to be all iron pump and rebuildable (Taiwan or China) - 800 rpm
Baldor 7.5 hp motor, 3450 rpm, 32-34 amps
24.8 cfm @ 100 psi
22.8 cfm @ 175 psi
Continuous run feature with unloaders
80 gallon ASME tank
Magnetic starter

Here is a link to one on e-bag (not much info):
http://cgi.ebay.com/7-5-HP-Air-Comp...86.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo=LVI&itu=UCI&otn=4&ps=63

Here is Greg Smith's version (a little more info):
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ATAF9&Show=TechSpecs

The two appear identical even down to the sticker placements on the tank.

Would love to buy 100% American, but no budget for such. Have been looking for used for months, no luck. So please don't offer these suggestions.

BigBlue1 · Jan 21, 2010

I don't have any info to help but that right mi casa

Dodge · Jan 21, 2010

I have a Puma compressor. It is a single stage, 5 h.p. 60 gallon tank. 220. I have had it for about 15 years. Home use, but I used to do alot of body work with it. Never had any problems with it. Still works great. The cylinders are "V" which I think helps with cooling. Not too noisy. I am happy with mine. Good Luck

OldCarGuy · Jan 21, 2010

I have a three cylinder two-stage Taiwanese Puma cast iron pump that on my BendPak 5 HP compressor. It's been going strong coming onto two years now...

Here's a thread I started covering it and my DevAir that has a short video clip of them running.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18437

.

larry4406 · Jan 22, 2010

I spoke with the factory today. They confirmed the motor speed of 3450 rpm, stated it has a pulley of 4" and that the pump has a pulley of 14.5", so pump speed would be 951 rpm. Strange they don't list the pump speed directly.

Motor is confirmed Baldor, starter is Square D, tank is US sourced from several suppliers. Pressure switch varies from local US to Tiawan. Pump is confirmed Tiawanese origin. They said that the compressor has reed valves (not disc) and has head unloaders enabling dual control (on/off or continuous run operation).

Pump is all cast iron. Iron crank with ball bearings, rods have insert bearings.

How bad are reed valves for compressors? I know Eaton slams them over their disc types, yet Champion has a full line of reed valve (RV) compressors. This compressor would be for home use (pressure pot, blast cabinet, tools, paint, etc). I am thinking this would be more than adequate.

OldCarGuy - I followed the link you gave and BendPak claims your compressor to have disk valves.

larry4406 · Jan 25, 2010

no one else?

rickairmedic · Jan 25, 2010

Larry I dont have a Puma but I have never heard anything bad about them myself . I have a us general I have been quite happy with and when I upgrade to 2 stage it will be to another us General . I wouldnt hesitate to pull the trigger on a Puma though if I got a deal as I said I have never seen a bad review on them .

Rick

Zrexxer · Jan 25, 2010

larry4406 said:
I spoke with the factory today.

You called Taiwan? :lol_hitti

Mickey_D · Jan 25, 2010

Disk valves are a little bit more efficient and seem to last a little longer, plus reed valves do not scale up quite as well. I used to have a little 1.5HP Puma V-twin contractor compressor and it worked well, but with the kind of money you are talking about spending you are real close to a 5HP Champion R series.

RPH · Jan 25, 2010

I have a Puma 5 hp 3 cylinder compressor. Been almost twenty years now and not a bit of trouble. Plenty of air all the time.

larry4406 · Jan 25, 2010

Zrexxer said:
You called Taiwan?

Not quite Taiwan, but Memphis TN where they bolt it all together.

larry4406 · Jan 25, 2010

Mickey_D said:
Disk valves are a little bit more efficient and seem to last a little longer, plus reed valves do not scale up quite as well. I used to have a little 1.5HP Puma V-twin contractor compressor and it worked well, but with the kind of money you are talking about spending you are real close to a 5HP Champion R series.

I have looked at the Champions and they are nice. A Champion reed valve VRV5-8 has less cfm 19.1@125 psi and 16.5@175. TP Tools on the bag has one on sale now for $1799 with shipping included. So, for $329 more I would be getting a compressor with less cfm's. My company has one of these at work and it is deafening.

swharris · Jan 26, 2010

Larry,
There is a Saylor-Beall dealer right on the way home. I can stop in and ask about disc v. reed if you'd like. I'm curious also. I'll be in the market soon also.

I think you also need to find out if the pump is "splash" or pressure lube'd. I'd want to know what it's "duty cycle" rating is. They should be able to tell you that. If you do a lot of blasting or blast cabinet use you want something that can handle the continuious use. Not saying this one won't, you just want to make sure.

From the tool site you noted:

"What is the duty cycle and how does it affect the operation of my air compressor?

Many air compressor pumps and motors are rated for continuous duty. It is OK if they do not shut off now and then. That is a 100% duty cycle. Other compressor motors need a periodic rest of perhaps three minutes out of every ten minutes to keep them from overheating. If the air compressor runs for seven minutes and rests for three minutes, then the duty cycle would be rated at 70%. If 70% is the factory recommended duty cycle for your compressor, and the compressor runs more than 70% of the time, then the pump and motor will overheat, resulting in damage. A magnetic starter or a heavy duty pressure switch will increase the duty cycle of most motors. Most commercial grade air compressors use heavy duty motors with a 100% duty cycle. (When a magnetic starter is wired to the motor) A heavy-duty pressure switch will also increase the duty cycle on most motors."

wineslob · Jan 27, 2010

Disc valves have more area than reed valves. Thats one of the reasons you'll see a roughly 3.3 cfm per HP in a reed unit compared to a disc unit at roughly 3.5 cfm per hp or better.

Bobbys60w427 · Jan 27, 2010

I have the 6 hp 60 gal 2 cyl. Puma. I've never run out of air. Not to noisy. I'd buy another one if needed. It's 13 yrs old now.

larry4406 · Feb 4, 2010

I continue to look into this compressor. I spoke to one of the company's sales rep's and they sent me the attached exploded parts diagram for the compressor. Roller bearings for the crank, rod insert bearings. Definitely reed valve on the 2nd stage cylinder head.

The compressor can be run in start/stop mode cycling from 145-175 psi and put into continuous run mode during intense use (blasting).

Anyone have experience with the rebranded Atlas Air Force units from Greg Smith?

larry4406 · Feb 12, 2010

Any other Puma or Greg Smith Atlas compressor experience out there?

larry4406 · Mar 28, 2010

Well - the compressor is here. It is a beast.

The ASME 80 gallon tank is made in Abingdon Virginia. The Baldor motor is made in USA. The Square D starter is made in Mexico. The compressor head is made in Tiawan. Not sure where the pressure switch is made.

Unit is very smooth running, very quite, not bolted down or using vibration isolation. I added a drain valve extension to it. It did not ship with the dual control continuous run feature as advertised due to mix up between Tool Central and the factory in TN and I did not notice it upon receipt. Without question, the factory sent me all the pieces to install it - took all of about 45 minutes (I mounted it a bit different than factory so I bought a brass street 90 and had some extra tubing). If you order one thru Tool Central (best price I could find) make sure you specify you want this.

I ordered it with lift gate residential delivery, worked nice. Then used engine cherry picker with sling to get it off the pallet.

I have used it once for pressure pot blasting using a TIP '99er with a very worn out tip that measures 5/16" via drill bit method. The compresser held constant at 90 psi all the while blasting.

Unit was packaged with only shrink wrap around the top. The tank did get some scratches on it because of this, they did give me some touch up paint but have yet to apply it. I think this would be my only real complaint that it was not protected better with some sort of wooden cage.

It will replace my very small and very used Saylor Beall that I bought used in 1985 for $100.

All in all, quite pleased.

bmwpower · Mar 28, 2010

Nice! I know it's sitting on pallets, but look at the size difference between the Saylor and the Puma...heh

Is it me or is that one copper line flattened at the bend?

Fubar · Mar 28, 2010

larry4406 said:
no one else?

I don't know anything about the compressors, but I have a Bend-Pac Exhaust pipe bender, scissor lift, and a ranger (same company) transmission jack and with the exception of a feature on the bender I'm happy with all of them...

sickboi55 · Mar 29, 2010

any plans for an after cooler?

Rayzer2368 · Sep 28, 2012

Hi Larry4406, just curious if you have an update on how your compressor is doing. Any problems or things that you wish you had done differently?

I see what you mean about the unit being shipped with only bubble and shrink wrap. At the very least you would think that they would have wrapped a few layers of thick cardboard around the entire unit and then shrink wrapped it, but I'm with you, after paying that much I would rather see a little more sturdy protection. Oh well, it seems to have worked.

PT Doc · Sep 28, 2012

2.5 year post mortum revival.

larry4406 · Sep 29, 2012

Rayzer - I have been very pleased with the compressor. No complaints other than the tank should have been protected better than just the shrink wrap when shipped.

bochnak · Feb 19, 2014

Old Car Guy & Larry,

I have a 3 cyl Puma pump similiar to the TUK-50, but mine is from 89' and model is a TVP-50.

Anyway, how long does it take to fill an 80gal tank 0-175psi?

Thanks.

compressornew · Feb 20, 2014

Hii Larry i doesn't have experience with Puma compressors.But i used our own company Boge brand compressors with highly air filter and voltage capacity.
Take a quick look to our company compressors :-

larry4406 · Feb 20, 2014

bochnak said:
Old Car Guy & Larry,

I have a 3 cyl Puma pump similiar to the TUK-50, but mine is from 89' and model is a TVP-50.

Anyway, how long does it take to fill an 80gal tank 0-175psi?

Thanks.

My compressor is in storage (sold house) so I am not able to answer you. Sorry

dirtybiker · Feb 20, 2014

I bought the 7.5hp compressor a few years ago its running great. I only needed the pump as I was upgrading my system. It is a very nice pump, its not very loud if you go to there web site they might have a video of it running. I had one problem when I first got it they did not send it with the filters. I got new ones a few days later. I did a lot of research before I bought that pump and I'm very happy with it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Industrial-...759?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c7cb2aa17

Puma 7.5 HP 3 Cylinder Compressor

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