Transporting a 80Gal Air Compressor?

[Desert1957]

I have located a great deal on a used air compressor. Seller has NO way of loading it on my pickup truck. I am looking for ideas on how to SAFELY load it.

Looks like it weighs about 450-500lbs, came on a pallet and he said 4 strong men unloaded it. I don't have access to a lift gate setup or small trailer with a ramp. any ideas?

Thanks Desert

 

[pattenp]

If it's a vertical unit then drain the oil from the pump and lay it over on its side into the bed of the truck.

 

[jrsulo]

Tell some friends you will have a beer party for the help.......after its moved !!!!!!

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yeah, either drain the oil and carefully load it on your truck horizontally (don't let it roll!)... Or maybe just rent a trailer & furniture dolly would be easier and safer?

 

[Desert1957]

thanks guys

 

[Buckgnarly]

I took the pump and motor off my 80gallon to get it upstairs in my garage. Seperate the 3 parts and it's a one man lift.

 

[BD1]

engine hoist. here's a thread I found.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11511&highlight=moving+air+compressor

 

[automobiliben]

Do you have access to a engine hoist?

 

[Bob C]

Draining the oil and laying it down will work just fine assuming you have some help to get it upright again.

 

[torqueman2002]

Same thing happened to me when I got my 80-gal 2-stage. Guy called me and dropped the price because he couldn't sell it, and I was the only person to express the slightest interest.

I was able to rent a Ryder or Pensky with a lift gate and move the compressor & pallet with a pallet hand truck.

 

[stoveboltgunnut]

I used an engine hoist to load and unload mine out of my truck. I also used my hoist to roll it into position in the shop

 

[DekeT]

I used an engine hoist to load and unload mine out of my truck. I also used my hoist to roll it into position in the shop

We aren't talking about a harbor freight engine hoist, right?

 

[cyamaha2007]

I laid mine flat in the back of a ford focus wagon, me and the old lady stood it up in the shed. Do you have a truck/ trailer if so lay it down the use a hf come along to the ceiling in your shop to lift it out. Maybe use the attic access hole with a 4x4 across.

 

[mr.speaker]

We aren't talking about a harbor freight engine hoist, right?

What's the problem ? It looks like it works fine

 

[Cryptic1911]

engine hoist is the way to go.. everyone should have one, whether you pull motors or not. I don't know how people get stuff done without them, lol

 

[Torque1st]

The engine hoists work fine. You can buy them anywhere for various prices but they all function the same.

Don't extend the boom out more than it was designed for and DO NOT stand under the load or hoist. No body parts should be anywhere under the load or hoist in case it fails. Always study the situation and keep out of the path of the load and equipment if anything goes wrong.

 

[Zengineer]

LOL, check page 1 of the link in my signature, that's how you get by without them. I've unloaded a 700lbs table, and a 450lbs table saw both on my own using these type of methods...

 

[Jason280]

What's the problem ? It looks like it works fine

And I was nervous picking mine up with the front end loader on my tractor!!

 

[automobiliben]

LOL, check page 1 of the link in my signature, that's how you get by without them. I've unloaded a 700lbs table, and a 450lbs table saw both on my own using these type of methods...

Haha, I will stick with the engine hoist!

 

[hughfree]

Not to thread jack....this would seem germane to the thread....why do you need to drain the oil from the compressor when you lay the unit down?

 

[Bob C]

Not to thread jack....this would seem germane to the thread....why do you need to drain the oil from the compressor when you lay the unit down?

A valid question. I will explain. When you lay a compressor down with oil in it, the oil will run up against the pistons. It will seep by the rings and get into the valves. This is bad as oil will bake onto the valves causing them to be insulated. Insulated valves tend to hold heat more. Heat is bad for valves and will cause premature failure. Plus, the oil that gets into the head will be discharged into the tank. If you spray paint, or do woodworking, you know the problems with this.

 

[Bob C]

What's the problem ? It looks like it works fine

Well Our people must do it the hard way. We use two guys. One up top, one the ground. Guy up top tilts the unit back to his chest, guy on ground grabs pallet and lowers it to ground as guy up top tilts it back forward. The large I/R, Curtis, and Saylor Beall units can really tax your strength but we aint old men. We just aquired a liftgate truck to deliver for free to our customers. It's gonna feel weird just pushing a button.

 

[DekeT]

So what if it was? Are you man enough to do something about it?

Well no, I'm not. Me - The reason I ask is because the hoist in the photo looks to be much larger than what I read of the HF specs. If I can lift out a compressor with a $200 HF engine hoist I would buy one but spending more than $200 isn't worth it to me.

 

[BD1]

Well no, I'm not. Me - The reason I ask is because the hoist in the photo looks to be much larger than what I read of the HF specs. If I can lift out a compressor with a $200 HF engine hoist I would buy one but spending more than $200 isn't worth it to me.

If you are worried about the cylinder failing, slot a length of pipe to go over the piston at desired height and use it as a dead man safety.

 

[pattenp]

Plus if the compressor is laying the wrong way the oil will leak out the vent for the crank case.

Not to thread jack....this would seem germane to the thread....why do you need to drain the oil from the compressor when you lay the unit down?

 

[mikeatrpi]

When I brought home my 60-gal Champion (400-500lbs as well) four guys lifted it into the back of a pickup. We had two on top, two on the ground, and we took off the tailgate. We kept it standing up the whole journey - with enough straps it didn't move at all.

 

[Nascar4401]

I moved mine with a fridge appliance dolly with the help of a buddy lifted in pickup....piece of cake!

 

[ket-tek]

Everyone has already given the best options.

If you don't have a engine hoist and will need one, then that works. If you weren't planning on buying a hoist in the future then I'd spend the money to just rent a uhaul.

Lay it down, or take the head and motor off, or rent the smallest uhaul truck that has the liftgate option. Uhaul is quick and just easy slide it in, slide it out.

why do you need to drain the oil from the compressor when you lay the unit down?

The reasons have already been explained above, but it's all gonna drain out when you lay it down anyway all over your truck bed. And buying a used compressor your gonna want do an oil chage before you use it anyway.

 

[DekeT]

If you are worried about the cylinder failing, slot a length of pipe to go over the piston at desired height and use it as a dead man safety.

It was the arm and hoist height I was concerned with because I would prefer to suspend a tank from over the top. I see the guy in the pic managed to do it otherwise, I suppose I could too.

 

[coolreed]

Use engine hoist and furniture dollies. That is how I move my 80 Gal Kompressor

 

[hammertime1]

The HF 2 ton hoist can handle 500lbs easy. I use the new model 2 ton to move an M head mill. Also moved a DoAll grinder. Their hoist is the same one Jegs and a lot of other places sell at a much higher mark up. Think I paid $179.00. Clean the wheel swivel bearings out good. Way it's shipped they tend to get slag in the bearings assemblies. I havent seen a lot of complaints about it so guessing they all don't get it as bad as mine had.

 

[Dustball]

Another option- find a rental place that has drop deck/escalate trailers.

 

[hughfree]

The reason I asked about draining the oil.....I purchased a slightly used IR - 5 HP 80 gallon unit. My buddy and I loaded the unit by tilting the compressor end of the unit onto the tailgate. We lifted the bottom of the compressor and pushed the unit into the bed. We secured the unit and then drove it to a storage unit where it has been sitting vertical for the last couple of months. I will be installing the unit next month after my shop is finished. Should I be concerned about starting up the compressor?

 

[EOC_Jason]

After that long all the oil will have settled back down I'm sure. I would check the oil level though before firing it up.

 

[Bob C]

The reason I asked about draining the oil.....I purchased a slightly used IR - 5 HP 80 gallon unit. My buddy and I loaded the unit by tilting the compressor end of the unit onto the tailgate. We lifted the bottom of the compressor and pushed the unit into the bed. We secured the unit and then drove it to a storage unit where it has been sitting vertical for the last couple of months. I will be installing the unit next month after my shop is finished. Should I be concerned about starting up the compressor?

How long was it laying down? 20 minutes? Half Hour till you got it uprighted again? If so, then don't sweat it. you are OK.

 

[machine_punk]

Engine hoist. The HF one is fine for this. I lifted 1200 pounds with one. Do NOI use ratcheting straps, if you care about the copmpressor. Buy thr real lifting straps. I got mine at HF and have been pleased with them.

 

[Ben Buck]

Hughfree, a couple of years ago I bought a 5hp 60 gal unit,put it down on it's side in the pickup, got home, oil all over the bed, stupid thing had a breather pipe I didn't see. I'm going after a 80 gal unit tomorrow at an auction, I've got the drain pan and tools available, and a tarp also, if I win.

 

[hughfree]

How long was it laying down? 20 minutes? Half Hour till you got it uprighted again? If so, then don't sweat it. you are OK.

Had it on it's side for about 30 minutes...no oil leaked. Compressor has been vertical for 2 months. Thanks for the response.

Hughfree, a couple of years ago I bought a 5hp 60 gal unit,put it down on it's side in the pickup, got home, oil all over the bed, stupid thing had a breather pipe I didn't see. I'm going after a 80 gal unit tomorrow at an auction, I've got the drain pan and tools available, and a tarp also, if I win.

Good luck with the auction!

 

[brad900]

When I picked up my 60gal I took my 4x8 utility trailer and loaded it myself. I lowered the tailgate & walked it up(still on the pallet). Did the opposite when I got home. I'm no big guy, 6' 160lbs. You could also use rachet straps wrapped around the pallet to pull it up a trailers talegate

 

[PsRumors]

When I picked up my 60gal I took my 4x8 utility trailer and loaded it myself. I lowered the tailgate & walked it up(still on the pallet). Did the opposite when I got home. I'm no big guy, 6' 160lbs. You could also use rachet straps wrapped around the pallet to pull it up a trailers talegate

I did the same thing but the compressor was not on the pallet. No problems.