Leaving a compressor on its wood skid

[67-ls1]

I have purchased 2-80 gallon compressors in the last 6 months. I returned the first one (Kobalt) because even though the motor said 208-230 volt, the manual said no warranty at anything other than 230 volt. I now have a Speedaire.
But I noticed in both manuals it states that the compressors MUST be removed from the shipping skids and anchored to the floor to keep the warranty in force. I anchored my compressor with the vibration isolation pads that came with it.
Yet I see a lot of you guys leaving them on the wooden shipping skids?
Anyone ever have a problem?

 

[rsanter]

Mine has been on the wood pallet for 15 plus years.
No issues

Bob

 

[DekeT]

Leaving it on the pallet allows some vertical room to put a drain out away from the tank. Sometimes you need to brace a spot on the pallet where you might have to cut the wood for a drain or underneath a leg but otherwise just leave it on.

 

[coldh2o]

I added locking casters to the base of my wood pallet so I can move the compressor for cleaning, etc. Four years in, no problems.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

I can see some potential mechanical problems with it running on the skid - since it's not hard-anchored, you're likely to see more vibration when it's running. Academic though, as I doubt it's going to be a significant enough amount to make any difference.

For a vertical compressor, I'd imagine the main part is liability; a 5' tall compressor on a 3' x 3' skid is a lot easier to accidentally tip over than if it were anchored to concrete.

 

[kunkernator]

Leave it on the pallet. Realistically, how would they know if you kept it on the pallet? My 60 gallon is on a pallet, has been for years. Never had an issue, and it works great for vibration isolation.

 

[md21722]

I can see some potential mechanical problems with it running on the skid - since it's not hard-anchored, you're likely to see more vibration when it's running. Academic though, as I doubt it's going to be a significant enough amount to make any difference.

For a vertical compressor, I'd imagine the main part is liability; a 5' tall compressor on a 3' x 3' skid is a lot easier to accidentally tip over than if it were anchored to concrete.

In "extreme" cases but that the manufacturers have seen, vibration through the skid can cause problems on the legs of the compressor and cause them to break. I had mine on a skid for many, many years without an issue. Ideally it would be removed from the skid and mounted on neoprene or equivalent vibration isolator pads. You can do it either way, just don't complain if something goes wrong after 10 years of use.

 

[Jarhead0408]

The pallet will do the job just fine. I opted for a rubber stall mat in the interest of floor space.

 

[southalabama]

Dad has had one on the pallet for almost 20 years.

 

[CompressorPros.com]

It's not the best option, but if it is in good shape and fairly level, you will be ok. Will always suggest mounting on vibration pads, though

 

[67-ls1]

Leave it on the pallet. Realistically, how would they know if you kept it on the pallet? My 60 gallon is on a pallet, has been for years. Never had an issue, and it works great for vibration isolation.

The only way they would know is if they had to come to the home for warranty.
This is why I returned the Kobalt. I called and they said it may be OK at 208 volt but if it failed and a field tech noticed the lower voltage, the motor would not be covered.
I imagine any failed legs on a tank that was still on a pallet would not be covered either.

 

[1950mercury]

Mine has been on the pallet for 25 years. Never had a problem

 

[67-ls1]

Did any of the manuals that came with your compressors say anything about it?

 

[crab]

Advantage is, it's easy, disadvantage is it, looks like shxt and takes up valuable floor space. Works fine either way.

 

[Motorman55]

Personally, as a former commercial air compressor mechanic, I would recommend any tall upright compressor be mounted on vibration pads and bolted to the floor. Especially true for larger commercial units which can weigh hundreds of pounds and are nothing but top heavy.

If you've ever seen a tall up-right compressor fall over you would get the message real quick.

Remember that the legs are not solid but basically just formed u-channel that are welded to the bottom of the tank. They have a tendency to vibrate deep into the wood grain and causes it to fail. Most compressors are bolted to the thin cross sectional slats of wood which are laid flat and much thinner then the 2x3 or 2x4 main frame of the pallet.

I've seen where those thin slats broke and caused the compressor to fall over taking the connecting flex pipe and part of the solid black piping air line with it. Imagine if your air connection is just 1/2 rubber hose.

The wood pallet really is designed for temporary shipping only and not a permanent mounting surface. Also not a bad idea to have a metal strap around the tank and bolted to the wall like you would install for a water heater.

Safety First and always take every precaution to limit your insurance company from denying coverage.

 

[whateg01]

In "extreme" cases but that the manufacturers have seen, vibration through the skid can cause problems on the legs of the compressor and cause them to break. I had mine on a skid for many, many years without an issue. Ideally it would be removed from the skid and mounted on neoprene or equivalent vibration isolator pads. You can do it either way, just don't complain if something goes wrong after 10 years of use.

How does that happen? I would expect being attached to the floor to be harder on the leg since it's a lot more rigid than the pallet. Does allowing the leg to vibrate a little cause it harm? No being a smart-a$$, just trying to understand the failure mechanism.

Dave

 

[53chevy5]

I've never seen one not on a pallet including my own
I don't I think I would worry about it.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

How does that happen? I would expect being attached to the floor to be harder on the leg since it's a lot more rigid than the pallet. Does allowing the leg to vibrate a little cause it harm? No being a smart-a$$, just trying to understand the failure mechanism.

Dave

Probably fatigue cracking via vibration resonance. Every time something vibrates, it moves back and forth (how fast depends on the resonance frequency and amplitude), which can cause plastic deformation in soft materials, fatigue cracks in harder stuff, and work hardening in things like copper lines.

Not bolted down, the leg is just a flat strip of metal, which will hit resonance modes fairly easily and won't have anything to dampen those modes. Bolted down, all the vibration is transmitted directly into the floor, which (by dint of much higher mass) won't vibrate (as much).

 

[pepi]

I am another that had a compressor happily living on a pallet for several years. The wood actually acted as a sound and vibration absorber, while in the basement.

Now outside, I did remove it from the pallet, for two reasons, one wood would have rotted, two the pallet had a big foot print.

Compressor falling over on its own, no external forces.... not seeing that one. Oh wait an earth quake, but that's not on it's own is it?

So many chicken littles so little time.... run for your life !

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

I am another that had a compressor happily living on a pallet for several years. The wood actually acted as a sound and vibration absorber, while in the basement.

Now outside, I did remove it from the pallet, for two reasons, one wood would have rotted, two the pallet had a big foot print.

Compressor falling over on its own, no external forces.... not seeing that one. Oh wait an earth quake, but that's not on it's own is it?

So many chicken littles so little time.... run for your life !

Compressor won't fall over on its own, but it could very easily be hit by something (lumber falling, etc) and tip over. In a garage it's less likely, but in a shop environment, lots of weird **** can happen. Knocking over a 150 gallon tank at 150psi with a forklift isn't on my "List of cool things to try".

 

[Mark in Indiana]

As long as the pallet is in good shape, leave it on the pallet. I bought my 60 gal. compressor, used, still on the pallet. I added casters to it so it can be easily moved.

It would be more critical to buy and install some pipe fittings and a ball valve to easily drain out the tank moisture. Otherwise, it's difficult to use the petcock valve, and it will become forgotten.

 

[bsaint]

We used to mount them on vibration isolators all the time. You don't want it rigidly attached too the floor. The reason why it voids warranty is because its not "permanently installed"

If you bought it from a good local compressor house, they wouldn't care and would perform warranties as needed.

 

[L.Cheapo]

My compressor has been on its shipping pallet for about 20 years. Never an issue with it.

 

[Rossco]

My 700lb compressor sits on Hockey Pucks. Mark the floor with a pencil. Mine hasn't shifted any.

 

[Motorman55]

**** Happens.

OP did want was prudent. Followed the Safety recommendations of the compressor manufacturer.

Famous last saying: " never going to happen to me" until it does. Then the lawyers come out of the woodwork. But then you can always quote Curly " I'm a victim of circumstance " in court.

 

[67-ls1]

Mine came with isolator so I used them. I did have to buy wedge anchors.
I put mine under stairs up to a mezzanine so the 6" height of the pallet was an issue too.
It also came with an auto drain valve that would not have cleared the wood skid.