Okay, looking for any real input. Trying to decide between a Saylor Beall or an FS Curtis "CA" model. 80 gallon vertical tank, 5HP, single phase. Any input that can help me decide would be greatly appreciated! Either would be purchased new. Even if you think its a minor bit of info it may help me make a decision. Thanks in advance!
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80 gallon 5hp compressor info needed
- Thread starter orangefd
- Start date
CompressorPros.com
Well-known member
Both excellent compressors. Probably price would be the deciding factor
md21722
Well-known member
How did you limit your search to these two brands?
I don't know much about the Curtis CA series. I can tell you the "FS" in Curtis stands for Fu Sheng. They are owned by the Chinese now even though final assembly may still be done in Saint Louis. The lower priced CT series are more common in my area because of the price point.
Saylor Beall makes a very good compressor. Often called the "Cadillac" of air compressors even by the local shops I talk to so its not just some Internet thing we see on the forums. I've also found the guys at Saylor Beall to very helpful when you call them.
Depending on what you're doing, and what environment the air compressor will live in, I would look to the after cooler & a TEFC motor. After cooler helps if you are going to be running it for a long time. Without the after cooler, the tank will get hot if you run it, and you will end up with more moisture in your lines if you don't have an air dryer or some other mechanism to compensate. The TEFC motor is great for dusty or dirt environments and is often a $100 add-on or maybe even substituted for free.
Is there any reason you crossed Quincy or Champion off your list?
Given the choice of only the SB or Curtis CA, I would go with the SB.
I don't know much about the Curtis CA series. I can tell you the "FS" in Curtis stands for Fu Sheng. They are owned by the Chinese now even though final assembly may still be done in Saint Louis. The lower priced CT series are more common in my area because of the price point.
Saylor Beall makes a very good compressor. Often called the "Cadillac" of air compressors even by the local shops I talk to so its not just some Internet thing we see on the forums. I've also found the guys at Saylor Beall to very helpful when you call them.
Depending on what you're doing, and what environment the air compressor will live in, I would look to the after cooler & a TEFC motor. After cooler helps if you are going to be running it for a long time. Without the after cooler, the tank will get hot if you run it, and you will end up with more moisture in your lines if you don't have an air dryer or some other mechanism to compensate. The TEFC motor is great for dusty or dirt environments and is often a $100 add-on or maybe even substituted for free.
Is there any reason you crossed Quincy or Champion off your list?
Given the choice of only the SB or Curtis CA, I would go with the SB.
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I originally looked into champion and quincy but seemed to shy away from both. We have a water cooled champion at one of the places I work and the thing is 20 years old with not a single issue. I also looked for a used T-30, but shy away from used since it is tough to get any kind of accurate or reliable history. I would be pretty upset to spend $1000-1500 on a compressor and have it need work soon after.
md21722
Well-known member
It's hard to argue against any Saylor Beall, but at 5 HP I tend to prefer Champion. I have 2 Champion R-15 based air compressors.
The Champion does have an aluminum head with steel liners, but there are no head gaskets to blow and no special tools required to service the disc valves. It runs at 710-734 RPM at 5 HP. This design has been around since the 1920's-1940's. The R-15 weighs 125 pounds which is light enough I can pick it up myself. They offer the Advantage Series which is basically the most common purchased configuration of the R series and available to ship immediately. If you want any customization, then you just get the R series and they'll build it to order.
If you skip to 1:10 here's one running
. This sounds just like the 2 that I have.
The Saylor Beall is all cast iron, but requires some tools either from them, or home made, to deal with the disc valves. The 705 pump runs at 845 RPM and weighs 220 pounds. It is the most USA made compressor. I don't believe any of the castings are made off shore. They should be about the same price as the Champion.
Saylor Beall's run test https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=saylor+beall+5hp+run
The Curtis uses reed valves so any valve work would require the head to come apart. It runs at 900 RPM.
This is an online video I found for the Curtis
I get your objection to used IR.
The Champion does have an aluminum head with steel liners, but there are no head gaskets to blow and no special tools required to service the disc valves. It runs at 710-734 RPM at 5 HP. This design has been around since the 1920's-1940's. The R-15 weighs 125 pounds which is light enough I can pick it up myself. They offer the Advantage Series which is basically the most common purchased configuration of the R series and available to ship immediately. If you want any customization, then you just get the R series and they'll build it to order.
If you skip to 1:10 here's one running
The Saylor Beall is all cast iron, but requires some tools either from them, or home made, to deal with the disc valves. The 705 pump runs at 845 RPM and weighs 220 pounds. It is the most USA made compressor. I don't believe any of the castings are made off shore. They should be about the same price as the Champion.
Saylor Beall's run test https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=saylor+beall+5hp+run
The Curtis uses reed valves so any valve work would require the head to come apart. It runs at 900 RPM.
This is an online video I found for the Curtis
I get your objection to used IR.
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MacMcMacmac
Well-known member
That CA is one of the better Chinese compressors, but the filter assembly can get loose after awhile. It is held on by two snaps on either end. Kind of like the latch mechanism on a portable tool box.
The Saylor Beall is really a class or two above it.
The Saylor Beall is really a class or two above it.
md21722
Well-known member
That CA is one of the better Chinese compressors, but the filter assembly can get loose after awhile. It is held on by two snaps on either end. Kind of like the latch mechanism on a portable tool box.
The Saylor Beall is really a class or two above it.
I agree. Saylor Beall doesn't need to offer 0% financing to entice buyers. If you're going to pay $2,600 for a compressor you might as well by the SB or Champion.
pcmeiners
Well-known member
"The Curtis uses reed valves so any valve work would require the head to come apart."
CA series not true, I have one. The advert now states the CA series has stainless valve, I have a 5hp unit purchased a few years back which does not have SS valves. If they do have SS valve, definite plus.
Correction, the above is incorrect,I have the ML series with the D96 pump, the e57 pump is indeed reed.
CA series not true, I have one. The advert now states the CA series has stainless valve, I have a 5hp unit purchased a few years back which does not have SS valves. If they do have SS valve, definite plus.
Correction, the above is incorrect,I have the ML series with the D96 pump, the e57 pump is indeed reed.
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Trey T
Well-known member
Yup I prefer Champion over the SB. I have a clone SB-705 that I was rebuilding but gave up because of the weight. I run a Champion PL15A right now and I can pick that up (w/o fly wheel) onto the 80gal.It's hard to argue against any Saylor Beall, but at 5 HP I tend to prefer Champion. I have 2 Champion R-15 based air compressors.
The Champion does have an aluminum head with steel liners, but there are no head gaskets to blow and no special tools required to service the disc valves. It runs at 710-734 RPM at 5 HP. This design has been around since the 1920's-1940's. The R-15 weighs 125 pounds which is light enough I can pick it up myself. They offer the Advantage Series which is basically the most common purchased configuration of the R series and available to ship immediately. If you want any customization, then you just get the R series and they'll build it to order.
...
The Saylor Beall is all cast iron, but requires some tools either from them, or home made, to deal with the disc valves. The 705 pump runs at 845 RPM and weighs 220 pounds. It is the most USA made compressor. I don't believe any of the castings are made off shore. They should be about the same price as the Champion.
....
Champion pumps are much better investment, long term, for homeowners because they're are a lot more popular than SB or Quincy .... it's easier to service if you have to.
md21722
Well-known member
"The Curtis uses reed valves so any valve work would require the head to come apart."
CA series not true, I have one. The advert now states the CA series has stainless valve, I have a 5hp unit purchased a few years back which does not have SS valves. If they do have SS valve, definite plus.
I believe the E57 pump is what is used on these now? They are reed valve?
redmondjp
Well-known member
I believe the E57 pump is what is used on these now? They are reed valve?
Yes, I have one. See pp 9-10 of this document - the head has to come off to service the valve plate:
http://www.k2dt.com/library_files/2404.pdf
ron in sc
Well-known member
I have a saylor beal 5hp. model 705, baldor motor, 80 gal vertical tank, no complants. all made in usa.
pump has a large inspection plate you can remove to clean sump.
if you search using my user name and keyword saylor
you will find info
pump has a large inspection plate you can remove to clean sump.
if you search using my user name and keyword saylor
you will find info
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DSLTRK
Well-known member
I originally looked into champion and quincy but seemed to shy away from both. We have a water cooled champion at one of the places I work and the thing is 20 years old with not a single issue. I also looked for a used T-30, but shy away from used since it is tough to get any kind of accurate or reliable history. I would be pretty upset to spend $1000-1500 on a compressor and have it need work soon after.
The Champion at 5HP is one of the better engineered pumps. I bought a R-15B and very impressed.
The specific heat capacity of its aluminum construction allows faster heat transfer than typical Iron pumps such as the Quincy 325 or Saylor Beall and aluminum also allows for more cooling fins to be cast into the head. Whole compressor from pump to motor is built in USA.
So if I was in your budget, it would be a Champion.
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Todd.Brock
Well-known member
I have had three champions. I have a habit of buying and selling them. My current champion is an R15 with disc valves. I like it. It's more than enough for what I need but Saylor beal is another level for me. I would probably buy it over a champion because it's so nice. But a champion ain't a chump either so if price is a factor , take another look.
ron in sc
Well-known member
If you get Saylor Beall use Mobil Rarus 427 air compressor oil. Best I have used in this compressor. No build up sludge and moisture in oil can be eliminated by running compressor letting it let hot as you can.
Trey T
Well-known member
Why do prefer SB over Champion?I have had three champions. I have a habit of buying and selling them. My current champion is an R15 with disc valves. I like it. It's more than enough for what I need but Saylor beal is another level for me. I would probably buy it over a champion because it's so nice. But a champion ain't a chump either so if price is a factor , take another look.
Todd.Brock
Well-known member
Not sure really. I have never had one, probably never will. I have always had a lust list for items in my shop and SB was providing the air....
That said- I think Champion will suit you well.
That said- I think Champion will suit you well.
MacMcMacmac
Well-known member
The Champion at 5HP is one of the better engineered pumps. I bought a R-15B and very impressed.
The specific heat capacity of its aluminum construction allows faster heat transfer than typical Iron pumps such as the Quincy 325 or Saylor Beall and aluminum also allows for more cooling fins to be cast into the head. Whole compressor from pump to motor is built in USA.
So if I was in your budget, it would be a Champion.
I could hold my hand on the cooling fins of an R30 running flat out.
redmondjp
Well-known member
I could hold my hand on the cooling fins of an R30 running flat out.
Don't try this at home, kids, but that's impressive!
md21722
Well-known member
The curious thing about the SB vs Champion is that Saylor Beall tells me it takes 8.1 minutes to pump up an 80 gallon tank with a 5HP motor and 705 pump running at 845 RPM. That computes to 15.7 CFM by my formula. I'm at 6,500 feet where I have to adjust for altitude. My Champion R-15 is stated to produce 16.5 CFM at 710 RPM (17.3 at 734 RPM) and it produces 14.7 CFM by my formula which is 11% less than 16.5 which is about right for altitude adjustment. If the R-15 runs for a while, output drops about 1 CFM...
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