Best concrete anchor for compressor?

[thammel]

I just got my heavy vertical compressor and instructions say it must be bolted to floor and have the supplied shock isolator pads under the 4 feet. No biggie, but I am over analyzing what kind of concrete anchor to use. The easiest is probably a redhead wedge anchor. But if I ever need to move the compressor, it will have to be lifted up and off the protruding bolts. What about a drop in anchor? This seems better from the point of view of future movement.

Now, I really don't see myself moving this compressor. And since it is already in place with the pads under the feet, the easiest is to drill and install the wedge anchors. To use a drop in anchor, I would have to lift the compressor again to drill and install.

Another story is getting a 600 pound compressor off the pallet and in the proper location by yourself. I did it, and that's a feat for a 71 year old. My engine hoist made it possible.

So what have you guys used and what do you recommend for anchors?

Thanks!

 

[Crawlin]

Simpson Titen HD or the tapcon version (sold at Lowes in blue). It like a lag screw for concrete. Easily removable and not stud in the way. Make them in plenty of sizes and lengths.

 

[NETexas]

Hilti Concert Fasteners

https://www.hilti.com/content/hilti/W1/US/en/services/fasteners-firestop-strut/concrete-anchors.html


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[Farmall450]

I like redheads

 

[ConCretin]

What about a drop in anchor? This seems better from the point of view of future movement.

To use a drop in anchor, I would have to lift the compressor again to drill and install.

Not sure why you'd need to move the compressor to use a drop in. Drill right though the compressor base and isolator pads. It might take a little fussing to get the anchors and you might need use a piece of steel rod to set the anchor but it would work just as well.

I'd probably just use a standard expansion bolt as suggested by others. Any future movement is probably going to involve lifting anyway.

 

[matt_i]

Definitely drop-in or the Hilti EZ-anchors (the lag screw as mentioned). Drop-in require a semi-specific drilling depth if you intend to use a uniform length fastener. If using a threaded rod where its easily customized to length, then no biggie.

You could make your own custom drop-in that epoxy in place with a machine like a lathe.

What you mentioned about having to lift it off the wedge anchors is a killer without a lot of lifting and hoisting capability and even then its a pain.

I think what he means about the drop-in is that if a 1/2" bolt is required in the steel leg it probably requires a 5/8" or 3/4" hole. Have to move the machine after the holes are spotted.

 

[AP514]

+1 on the REDHEADS....
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Red-Head-1-2-in-x-3-in-Zinc-Plated-Steel-Hex-Head-Sleeve-Anchors-10-Pack-11014/100148494

I have also added some Rubber Washers on top of the Feet ..It cut down on the Noise

 

[kelpaso1]

Never anchored a compressor in my life. I just bolted hockey pucks to the feet and placed it in the corner. Hasn't moved a bit in 15 years.

 

[thammel]

You guys are great! So many responses already!!

Yes, what I meant about the hassle of the drop in anchors is that the compressor is already in place on top of the rubber pads. I would need to mark hole locations (easy) then move the compressor away to drill and install the drop in anchors. Then get the pads and compressor back to the exact location and install bolts. One concern is that for 3/8" drop in anchors, the thread length is only 1/2". I would need to use precise length bolts probably with a washer stackup.

To move the compressor I need to use my engine hoist....the compressor weighs about 600 pounds. So if I use wedge anchors or drop in anchors I'm going to use the hoist either way. I guess my real concern is if the compressor is not there, the drop in anchors leave spots that are easy to patch. Wedge anchors mean I'm gonna have to cut them flush (I have a beautiful epoxy floor...don't want to mar it). One approach to solve this with wedge anchors is to drill the hole deeper than required. If needed then the wedge bolt could be cut near the surface and then driven down into the hole....problem solved. I think wedge anchors win out.

My normal paralysis of analysis....46 years as engineer specializing in system analysis of RTGs...one is on Mars now powering the Curiosity rover. Another is on the way to Mars. Google MMRTG....I worked on them.

 

[skulldrinker]

Not sure why you'd need to move the compressor to use a drop in. Drill right though the compressor base and isolator pads. It might take a little fussing to get the anchors and you might need use a piece of steel rod to set the anchor but it would work just as well.

I'd probably just use a standard expansion bolt as suggested by others. Any future movement is probably going to involve lifting anyway.

Maybe the hole are not sticking out far enough to get the drill verticle.

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[Jwallace1]

i personally wouldn't anchor it, i have mine just sitting on rubber pads that came off a generator at work, not even bolted to it just sitting on them has never budged. if i lived in an earthquake zone i might do something different but it cant really go anywhere

 

[steel 35]

Rubber feet.

 

[Tracs]

I left mine on the shipping pallet.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Any anchor with the correct diameter bolt should be fine. It isn't going to jump up off the floor. If you ever need to move it you'll probably need a way of lifting it (onto a pallet?) as well.

 

[BD1]

Technically it will not be anchored or bolted securely. All you need is a bolt or stud in a anchor. That bolt or stud is only there to keep the compressor from walking.
We had a service call to a building we do work at. Head of maintenance decided to replace large horizontal tank compressor themselves. They didn't pay attention to the mounting instructions. They bolted it down firmly to slab. The weld from foot to tank cracked because it was bolted down solid. Compressor was only months old and we replaced with new tank.
Yes, old tank was scraped.


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[Marctrees]

Iso pads and tie off to wall.

That's it.

Marc

 

[Farmall450]

I left mine on the shipping pallet.

My dad did the same in his shop.

 

[56Mark]

I have a 60 gal vertical Quincy. I bolted rubber feet to it and it just sits there and doesn't walk. It takes a good amount of effort to tip it, so I'm not worried about that either. Bolting recommendations from the companies are probably to reduce liability.

 

[finn]

Hockey pucks work on both of my 60 gallon compressors. They don’t walk. Use a hydraulic hose to connect the compressor air discharge to your regulator and piping system

I guess if you were really paranoid, you could lag a cable or chain to the wall to keep it from tipping in case of an unforeseen event.

 

[thammel]

Well, the manufacturer says warranty will not be honored if not bolted down per their spec and using their isolation pads. Their spec says to tighten nut then back off roughly 1/2 to 1 turn. I might just try it without bolting down first.

 

[ZRX61]

Never anchored a compressor in my life. I just bolted hockey pucks to the feet and placed it in the corner. Hasn't moved a bit in 15 years.

They tend to go walkabout during earthquakes...

 

[Metal-Marc]

I left mine on the shipping pallet.

That is what I did ten years ago. Nothing budged.

 

[didit]

Mine has been sitting on the shipping runners with full length 1/2" thick rubber isolation pads under it since 1984. Never moved yet.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I used expanding anchors and some rubber flooring pieces under mine.

If I did it again, I'd use larger Tapcons with some type rubber flooring.

 

[bob15]

I'd put it back on the shipping pallet and leave it sitting on that. I would not anchor a compressor down.

 

[Sweetcorn]

I didn't want to bolt mine to the floor, so I made a 2" x 3" x 1/4"W steel tubing frame that has the same length and width of the top footprint of my compressor. Compressor is a 7.5 HP Emax with an 80 gallon tank, so it is a decent size base. I bought some high quality threaded isolation (rubber with steel insert) feet for the base to sit on and it is as stable as I would ever want it to be.
I thought about leaving it on the shipping pallet, but the pallet was pretty fugly and I just didn't want to do that.
If I ever need to move it, I can with minimal hassle.
I put some sharpie marks around the feet to see if it would dance around over time and use, but it hasn't moved at all yet.

 

[ericm]

You could use the kind of anchors that leave a threaded insert in the hole, with a removeable bolt.


Or make a steel frame to bolt the compressor to which has slotted tabs for the concrete fasteners. You could even make the frame so you could get a pallet jack under it.

 

[DeeDubz]

I used 3/8" redheads. I have a piece of tubular steel that the compressor sits on. Ill try and take a picture of it tomorrow.

 

[BearsFan315]

on my 60g compressor i bought some rubber pad/feet and parts from McMaster-Carr and worked great, allowed me to level it, since my floor is not level. still sitting in the corner working just fine. 5 years later

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