Giant air compressor Info, Saylor Beall?

[RobBob21]

Picked up this compressor at a farm auction a few years back and intended to put it together, but found a nice 1970s Speedaire that has been our main shop compressor. Now need a larger compressor at home so have regained interest into finding out more about this thing. Looking at pics online a Saylor Beall 705 looks the most similar but without a tag or numbers I can find I cannot tell for sure.
It is the largest non vee compressor I have ever seen, It feels like it weighs 200lbs and has a 18inch flywheel. Sorry for the low quality pictures I have yet to pull it out of storage:

I think the peerless motor and tank were in the same lot, don't remember where they came from:

Thanks for any help! I've got a lot to learn about air compressors and systems

 

[Jswain]

Definitely some version of a 705 / clone.

Great pump, many manufactures Sanborn sc23, webster etc. should be able to find parts easily if needed.

 

[driftpin]

I like my gen-yoo-wine Saylor Beall 705, try setting that in operation and see what it turns into.

 

[Jswain]

Just one thing to note, if it is Saylor beall then typically only Saylor Beall parts fit. Valves/internal parts etc.

Clones may or may not be interchangeable with other clones.

Could try sending Saylor beall a photo and asking them as from what I remember usually, but not, always the Saylor Beall will have their logo right on the pump.

 

[yatg]

looks like there's a number cast on the crankcase 4048R
that corresponds to a 705

https://www.saylor-beall.com/wp-content/uploads/20SAY011_700SeriesManual-Online.pdf

 

[kams1973]

If the fasteners are SAE, it’s most likely a Saylor-Beall 705, 5hp two-stage pump….and yes , it’s a heavy sumbuck at 225lbs.

This one has head unloaders that can be deleted if your going to power it with an electric motor.

the folks at Saylor-Beall are always very helpful when I call them.

 

[RobBob21]

If the fasteners are SAE, it’s most likely a Saylor-Beall 705, 5hp two-stage pump….and yes , it’s a heavy sumbuck at 225lbs.

This one has head unloaders that can be deleted if your going to power it with an electric motor.

the folks at Saylor-Beall are always very helpful when I call them.

Thats what those things on the top are? Could this unit have been originally gas powered? It would be a lot more useful to me if it was gas powered. I Think I would need a main unloader valve and a "bullwhip" to idle the engine up, but not sure on what parts I would need or where to get quality ones.
What direction does this compressor need to spin? and what size of motor does it need? I have an awesome Wisconsin engine that needs a job but not sure if it would have enough power. Thanks!

 

[American Locomotive]

Thats what those things on the top are? Could this unit have been originally gas powered? It would be a lot more useful if it was gas powered. I Think I would need a main unloader valve and a "bullwhip" to idle the engine up, but not sure on what parts I would need or where to get quality ones. What direction does this compressor need to spin? and what size of motor does it need? I have an awesome Wisconsin engine that needs a job but not sure if it would have enough power. Thanks!

The things on the top are unloader towers. Air pressure is applied to them and it unloads the compressor. Yes, a gas-application would have used them, but they'd also be used for "continuous run" electric applications as well.

 

[RobBob21]

I will try and tear it down some more over the weekend if I have time. It looks like I will have to make a tool to get the valves out of the head, I have seen some posts here on how to make the tool but I hope they aren't too stuck. What do I look for with valves? How can you tell if they are worn out? Sorry for the bombardment of questions, thank you to everyone that replied!

Here is that speedaire compressor I mentioned earlier, the mint green paint is awesome! (I know a pallet is probably not an ideal base)

Edit: I forgot to mention that we use these air compressors primarily to blow off equipment, we don't use air tools much anymore. Our farm equipment is old and its best if the radiators get blown out once a day.

 

[Shoreline_]

Best not to disturb the valves. Roll it over by hand if everything feels good just run it.

 

[kams1973]

Thats what those things on the top are? Could this unit have been originally gas powered? It would be a lot more useful to me if it was gas powered. I Think I would need a main unloader valve and a "bullwhip" to idle the engine up, but not sure on what parts I would need or where to get quality ones.
What direction does this compressor need to spin? and what size of motor does it need? I have an awesome Wisconsin engine that needs a job but not sure if it would have enough power. Thanks!

The flywheel serves as a fan to blow air toward the pump for cooling. And yes, constant speed or gas powered units use the unloaders. If memory serves me correctly, the gas powered engine should be 1.5 times the HP rating of the compressor head. I used to buy parts from aircomparts.com and mastertoolrepair.com.

This is an older unit based on the straight slot valve cover on the head. Regardless, parts are still available.