Any problem putting compressor on casters?

[caspian65]

I'm pretty tight on space in my current garage (23x22), and have all my "equipment" on one side wall. This includes my toolbox, parts washer, air compressor and blasting cabinet. The toolbox and parts washer were already on casters, so this past weekend I bought some for the compressor and blasting cabinet. My compressor is a 70 gallon upright, 5hp twin stage. I bought 110lb solid locking casters and it seems to roll around nicely now. Before, I just had the rubber pads that came with the compressor installed on the 4 footings. Assuming the compressor is sturdy on the casters with no weight balance issues, is there any foreseeable problems with having the compressor on casters? BTW, the only reason I will move the compressor is for cleaning the area around it and to make the drain valve more easily accessible.

Seems like a dumb question, but just hoping for peace of mind!

Thanks!

 

[toxicz28]

Compressors are top heavy. Be careful wheeling it around.

 

[wilbilt]

Compressors are top heavy. Be careful wheeling it around.

Ditto that.

Maybe hook a small chain or cable around it near the top and attach to the wall just to be on the safe side.

 

[Danglerb]

I'll put my vote in the don't do it box.

Adding the wheels raises the overall height, and wheels aren't rubber pads, so you have less isolation from vibration transmitted to the slab.

A strap like a water heater uses might not be a bad idea too.

 

[boiler7904]

If it has to go on wheels, I'd use something like this universal mobile power tool base. It puts the compressor on wheels but doesn't substantially change the height or center of gravity when raised to move it around. When the compressor is in operating position, it can be lowered to keep it from rolling across the garage due to vibration. You'll probably have to fabricate some steel plates to bolt the compressor to the base but that shouldn't be too hard. Weight capacity of the base is going to be a concern though.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Never seen a 70 gallon tank before......... I would be real careful of a top heavy compressor on casters. I temporarily installed some on my vertical compressor stand to move it, but removed them and installed the adjustable machinery feet after I got it into position. The casters were on the ends of the four foot spread of the legs of the stand, not on the compressor itself.

Charles

 

[Uncle Buck]

I am sure you can do it, but I would not do it if at all possible!

 

[Vicegrip]

Make a base with a Congressman type stance. Wide. I wold think that if all you plan to d is move it once in a while to clean you could keep it from tipping over. A tip over is likely to kill it or at least break something.

I have a horizontal that has been on casters for many years and almost tipped it once when I was moving it and not looking. Come to think of it it still is but i never move it.

 

[Chris Adams]

A compressor on wheels would be 'migratory'. When a compressor runs it vibrates pretty good. It is, after all, a stroke engine, but without the rubber motor mounts.
My compressor, smaller, (30 gallon) will, if unsecured, walk around the garage. That's with wheels and steel skids. If it had four wheels, even locked, it would work itself out into the driveway in half an hour.

If you could put wheels that lifted up off the floor, then back down when you needed them it would work, but that seems like a lot of work.

My last 80 gallon compressor (5 hp) I sunk bolts into the floor to keep it in place. When it just sat on its steel feet, it moved around

 

[mhoffm911]

My vote is to put it on some of those "magic slider" discs. As an auctioneer, I have moved so much furniture over the years that it's pathetic. You would be amazed at how well these things work and they have little height to them. If you have a concrete floor, you will be surprised at how well they can let items slide. I moved a large 8 foot conference table earlier this week with 2 of them and a heavy wood desk with 4 small ones.

http://www.magicsliders.com/sizes/

I think you will get the mobility that you are looking for without the major risk of it tipping over.

 

[mb190sl]

I have had mine on casters for 4 years. It gets moved from time to time. I made a base a little wider than the OD of the tank. The casters are 2 1/2" steel without brakes. At first I had it tethered to the wall so it would not walk away, but it never did move. I suppose it would vary compressor to compressor. It shouldn't be a problem if done right.

 

[Danglerb]

Some garage floors have more pitch than others. If your floor drains out the door well, chances of it moving are good.

 

[caspian65]

Thanks for the replies. So far it seems to balance very well. I rolled it across the floor and seemed very sturdy. The casters seem to be just right for the weight, not too loose, not too tight.

For those that haven't seen a 70gal, here is mine. Got a smokin' deal from my local SO guy!

http://image.snapon.com/international/pdf/BRA517V.pdf

 

[kyeakel]

I had my 80 gal on casters for the last year, no problems. I used hard rubber wheel casters, about 3" diameter so it would roll easily. They lock when I don't want it to roll. I have my compressor between a closet and a wall, so it needed to roll to do the maintenance.

Kipp

 

[caspian65]

I had my 80 gal on casters for the last year, no problems. I used hard rubber wheel casters, about 3" diameter so it would roll easily. They lock when I don't want it to roll.

Sounds like the exact casters I bought!

 

[Bigger Hammer]

If I were in your shoes and I had to put it on casters I'd make up some sort of a yoke type frame that would essentially widen the mounting points of the casters. But being a yoke design it would only lift the compressor off the floor by maybe an inch or so. Similar to the mobile base unit like boiler posted but it would be made out of scrap metal because I like doing things on the cheap when I can.

 

[caspian65]

If you click on the link above, you'll see that the tank of this compressor is quite "fat" as compared to a 60 gal upright. The footings extend out. It appears that the footings help with keeping the unit stable on casters.

 

[boiler7904]

The other thing you notice if you look at that link is that the compressor weighs 550 pounds. 110 pound rated casters are going to be undersized unless there are at least 5 of them.