Compressor on casters

[mayday0017]

Could I put my new 80 gallon compressor on rubber locking casters and let them be my antivibration and make it easy to move around the garage when needed? Not sure if this is considered a no no or not but seems safe to me, and with my recent oops the less I have to pick this thing up the happier I will be.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I have my 80 gallon Quincy on casters but the tank is horizontal and with a weight of almost 1,000 pounds, it stays put when running.

 

[Tink]

I'd be afraid of it tipping. I think it would be safer to build a wide base mounted on casters instead.

 

[koditten]

I would have no trouble with this. This is a real good idea. I would go a step further and make 2 of the 3 casters the non swivel style. As long as you have the compressor plummed to a fixed header via hydraulic hose or braided hose, you would have no issues with tip over. If the air hose is atteched directly to the compressor you could possibly tip the compressor. It would take a lot of effort, but it could happen.

On a plus side, you will be gaining 5+ inches to gain easy access to the drain valve.

KO

 

[tymbo]

Why would you ever have to move a 80 gal. compressor? Isn't that what air hoses are for?

 

[PT Doc]

Why not leave the compressor in 1 place and just use the right length hose? Do you have a huge shop? You could use 1/2 or 3/4 hose.

 

[pipsters]

I like the idea of it on casters as well so you can easily move it about to clean if needed. Just be careful, if your cement pad is rough it could tip.

 

[dmaic]

Why would you ever have to move a 80 gal. compressor? Isn't that what air hoses are for?

lol, good one.



Is your tank vertical or horizontal? If its horizontal I dont think there would be any concern with tipping unless you have significant chunks of concrete missing from your floor where a caster could fall into it and tip the compressor over. If it's upright Id probably weld up a tube frame thats maybe 12" larger than the mounting points and put cross members where the mounts fall, bolt the compressor to the cross members, and then bolt the casters to the corners of the frame. It should help to make it more stable. Id buy two swivel casters and two stationary and make sure you can lock them.

 

[PECVD2]

Might try something like this low belly dolly. I stole this design for a large vacuum pumping system we have. Fabricated it out of 316SS though.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=movi...60&start=15&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:15,i:147

 

[larry_g]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156226&highlight=cooler

like the above link?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[koditten]

I like the idea of it on casters as well so you can easily move it about to clean if needed. Just be careful, if your cement pad is rough it could tip.

This.

My 80 gal is in the corner. To move the thing only 12" would make cleaning behind it a breeze.

Its gonna take a lot to tip over that compressor. The only way I see that thing going over is if you were steadily pushing it across the floor and hit a nut or bolt and the compressor was stopped cold.

We all know shops have hazards. Seems like everybody can find 10 reasons not to do something and 1 reason to do it. I wonder how some of you get anything done worring about hurting yourself. You can only reduce hazards in a shop, you can't get rid of all of them.

I'm pissed at myself because I didn't think of this first. Now go get some casters and take some before and after pics.

Sorry to hyjack the thread. Rant over.

Later

KO

 

[70redbee]

Am I missing something here? How are you gonna run it? You will need a long extension cord or something to power it. Seems easier to just have a long hose instead of a hose and an extension cord to trip over, talk about safety. What happens when you pull the plug out of the wall or fall over the cord? I don't know just my thoughts. I would anchor it properly and pipe it to where you need air.

 

[mayday0017]

LOL sorry I didnt' get back to my thread sooner I was in the ER last night writing this and been sleeping most of the day. ER things are good was there for someone's mom, but she is stable. Anyways back to this, I won't be moving it often, mostly just to pull it out and clean it, also I haven't ran the 220 yet where it is sitting, and have decided I would rather put it where the 220 is now after all.... The floor is perfectly smooth, and yes I agree if you hit a rock or nut or something while pushing it at any speed it could tip.

Long story short, my personal view is as long as you are careful when you move it, tipping shouldn't be a problem. But having it on casters is nice for when you want to move it for cleaning or any other simple tasks such as adding the after cooler It is also nice to have the extra bit of room for drain access...

Is there anything I'm missing with this thought?

 

[PT Doc]

This would work :

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21257&site=ROCKLER

But you should really have it not against the wall so that you can get at the cage if needed and that way you shouldmhavemno issue cleaning up behind it. Don't make a mess in the first place and that way you won't have much cleanup.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Am I missing something here? How are you gonna run it? You will need a long extension cord or something to power it. Seems easier to just have a long hose instead of a hose and an extension cord to trip over, talk about safety. What happens when you pull the plug out of the wall or fall over the cord? I don't know just my thoughts. I would anchor it properly and pipe it to where you need air.

Mine is on casters for two reasons.

1) It makes it a LOT easier to clean behind it
2) With the belts on the backside, it is also easier to service the belts.

It stays hooked up but is just rotated out of its hole for cleaning or service and then rotated back into position.

 

[mayday0017]

Well I put casters under mine today, picked 3 locking casters up from harborfreight. They are rated at like 100 or 130lbs each which would be "under rated" as there are only 3 legs and the compressor weighs about 500lbs. But I looked at higher rated ones by same manufacture and they used the exact same bolts for the axels and the attachment points were the same size, only difference was the wheels were a little taller.... The thing will prob be rolled less then 100ft in it's lifetime so not to worried about it.

Anyways the casters are on and I'm very happy with them, the compressor is pretty steddy and if you turn all 3 wheels out it is actually more stable then it would be just sitting on the ground because they are further away from the base. I highly recommend it to anyone, then again I like all of my cabinets and tables on casters so I can roll everything out and mop the floor really good from time to time.

 

[bad_idea]

got kids? I would suggest a lanyard of some sort to attach the compressor to the wall to prevent a child related accident. Vertical air compressors make me nervous unless bolted down. Still prefer a horizontal tank.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yikes... Man be careful when moving that thing! This is why you typically don't see a vertical air compressor above 10 HP, because vertical air compressors are inherently top heavy!

If you do plan to move it around a lot, build a slightly wider base from some 2x4's and mount everything to that. You've already dropped that poor compressor once...

 

[LumpyMusic]

I'm sure most of us don't really mount our compressors with 18" wall clearance as the manufacturers suggest. Mine is more like 8". But I can get to the belts and all with no problem. Cleaning is never a problem. Two seconds of 120 PSI blows any dirt, bug poop, oil cans and scorpions out from behind anything.


Lumpy

You were the Ken-L-Ration St Bernard?
Yes. My dog's bigger.
www.LumpyMusic.com

 

[PT Doc]

Well I put casters under mine today, picked 3 locking casters up from harborfreight. They are rated at like 100 or 130lbs each which would be "under rated" as there are only 3 legs and the compressor weighs about 500lbs. But I looked at higher rated ones by same manufacture and they used the exact same bolts for the axels and the attachment points were the same size, only difference was the wheels were a little taller.... The thing will prob be rolled less then 100ft in it's lifetime so not to worried about it.

Anyways the casters are on and I'm very happy with them, the compressor is pretty steddy and if you turn all 3 wheels out it is actually more stable then it would be just sitting on the ground because they are further away from the base. I highly recommend it to anyone, then again I like all of my cabinets and tables on casters so I can roll everything out and mop the floor really good from time to time.

So the 3 casters are rated between 300 and 390#. Your compressor weighs 500#. How did you rationalize the math on this one?

 

[PT Doc]

A better caster choice for this application would be double lock, both wheel and swivel. Building a wide platform and using double lock casters at all 4 corners would increase stability.

 

[1967marti]

I put my 80 gal compressor on rolling casters... But I also welded a frame for the wheels to bolt to. The bottom frame is wider than the original footing of the compressor so it is "more stable" than it was but it is still pretty easy to tip a compressor as they are all very top heavy creatures.

- matt

 

[Mmfh]

If you do end up putting casters under your compressor, get good casters, not the cheap **** from HF. What if one of those casters folds up on you? That thing is coming down!

I've had problems with the HF casters and I will never again buy them. Its not much more for better quality, especially off eBay. Be safe, use only good quality casters!

Mm

 

[bigguns69]

Vertical compressor mobile base I built 4 years ago with 100 ft. of air hose on a power washer hose reel, that I got from work, and Craftsman cabinet for all air tools, chucks, and paint gun storage. I put everything on wheels, my work benches, metal lathe, drill press, bridgeport mill, storage cabinets. Easy to move, easy to vacate.

 

[rodm1]

I have this on swivel casters no blocking or anything and it hasn't moved. I don't recommend it but it has been done (notice the yellow tag). It's about 800lb with 120gl tank.

View media item 4226
These will probable work well.
http://www.lkgoodwin.com/more_info/gd_60s_leveling_stem_casters/gd_60s_leveling_stem_casters.shtml

 

[akdiesel]

Vertical compressor mobile base I built 4 years ago with 100 ft. of air hose on a power washer hose reel, that I got from work, and Craftsman cabinet for all air tools, chucks, and paint gun storage. I put everything on wheels, my work benches, metal lathe, drill press, bridgeport mill, storage cabinets. Easy to move, easy to vacate.

Now this is clever. Nice work with the rubber isoalation tabs also.

 

[Bull]

I have a 60 gallon (I think) Campbell Hausfeld compressor that I bought from a guy on here when he was moving. He had mounted casters on it. They don't have locks. They are some type of rubber or polyurethane wheels. I don't have any blocking or anything, and the compressor does not move when it is running. It is also very nice to be able simply to push something to rearrange things or clean, rather than have to bust a gut trying to move it.

I like to put heavy stuff on wheels as often as possible, and this includes benches/storage units and projects like cars and tractors (on skates).

 

[EOC_Jason]

I have this on swivel casters no blocking or anything and it hasn't moved. I don't recommend it but it has been done (notice the yellow tag). It's about 800lb with 120gl tank.

That is one dead **** air compressor. 10HP? I bet it set you back a pretty penny?

 

[GarageEnvy]

I have casters under my 80 gallon compressor

See
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1948016&highlight=casters#post1948016

Post #1185

The cart is nothing more than angle iron with hockey pucks. The rear casters are fixed and the front are lowered with bolts. I wouldn't drag it around the shop like that but for moving it forward and back a couple of feet, it's a simple cheap solution.

 

[rodm1]

That is one dead **** air compressor. 10HP? I bet it set you back a pretty penny?

Yep it cost a few, 7.5HP.