Should compressor be leveled?
- Thread starter Com_VC
- Start date
olytdi
Well-known member
Oil splash compressors need to be level.
rsanter
Well-known member
Close to level is good enough, docent have to be perfect
Bob
Bob
Yes, level it...
For 3 reasons:
1. If it’s an oil compressor the oil "tank" (aka the pump) needs to be level so it can be picked up properly.
2. If the compressor is not level you will not be able to properly drain the water from the bottom.
3. The normal vibration from the pump will make the compressor "walk". The compressor will "walk" anyway but it will be much worse if it's leaning.
Side note: Mount your compressor to some anti-vibration feet.
I had to cut/weld the feet (NOT THE TANK) to correct for some very, very bad welding at the factory where my tank was made just so I could get it into the ball-park to mount it to rubber feet.
For 3 reasons:
1. If it’s an oil compressor the oil "tank" (aka the pump) needs to be level so it can be picked up properly.
2. If the compressor is not level you will not be able to properly drain the water from the bottom.
3. The normal vibration from the pump will make the compressor "walk". The compressor will "walk" anyway but it will be much worse if it's leaning.
Side note: Mount your compressor to some anti-vibration feet.
I had to cut/weld the feet (NOT THE TANK) to correct for some very, very bad welding at the factory where my tank was made just so I could get it into the ball-park to mount it to rubber feet.
89GLH
Well-known member
I cut down the pallet the compressor was shipped on, and slipped the anti-vibration pads under the pallet. This way its high enough for me to drain it properly and not get my hand all scrunched up under there.
Compressor, bolted to
Pallet, sitting on
Rubber pads, on the
Floor
Compressor, bolted to
Pallet, sitting on
Rubber pads, on the
Floor
Zeke
Well-known member
Vertical or horizontal? Amazing how so many have opinions before they know the situation.
If horizontal, you definitely want a little slope to the drain.
If horizontal, you definitely want a little slope to the drain.
koditten
Well-known member
Kinda thinking the same thing. Is the compressor verticle or horizontal tank? The verticle tanks usually have 3 legs, not gonna walk, all legs are contacting the ground.
Other than that, as long as it is not tipping 40* or more, you will be fine. You dont even need slope,the pressure of the air will push out the water, unless you drain with the pressure off. My compressor is always charged.
Other than that, as long as it is not tipping 40* or more, you will be fine. You dont even need slope,the pressure of the air will push out the water, unless you drain with the pressure off. My compressor is always charged.
Proper answer above, but I will say that you level it close enough so the drain is the low point of the tank, and as others said the pump is level enough that the oil system will work, if an oiled pump.
lg
no neat sig line
CARS
Well-known member
My horizontal tanked compressor has a slight slope away from the oil drain 
I have to use a turkey baster to get all the oil out when I change the oil.
I would say if you have the opportunity, level it and error on the side of the oil drain.
I have to use a turkey baster to get all the oil out when I change the oil.
I would say if you have the opportunity, level it and error on the side of the oil drain.
Any compressor , vertical or horizontal will walk if not tied to something. It can be 1/8" over a month or it can go running accross the floor. If nothing else it will rub holes into the floor or it's feet.
HD and lowes both sell a 4 pack of little rubber hockey-puck like things that work great. If nothing else i'd have a chain from the compressor to the wall, it will keep it from walking and in case it gets knocked over (bumped by a car or a kid running into it) it's secured.
I used a magnetic level stuck to the pumps "shelf" to level it before I finally mounted it to it's base.
If the tank is level and you use a 3 or 4 inch length of pipe before the blow-valve the water will drain into the pipe and not sit in the tank at all.
HD and lowes both sell a 4 pack of little rubber hockey-puck like things that work great. If nothing else i'd have a chain from the compressor to the wall, it will keep it from walking and in case it gets knocked over (bumped by a car or a kid running into it) it's secured.
I used a magnetic level stuck to the pumps "shelf" to level it before I finally mounted it to it's base.
If the tank is level and you use a 3 or 4 inch length of pipe before the blow-valve the water will drain into the pipe and not sit in the tank at all.
I gotta tell ya....I'm not taking my 5hp compressor off the skid. It's as level as my floor. It's really a well made pallet that I'm going to reinforce even more. The compressor is well bolted to it. I've no interest in drilling holes in the floor.