Transporting a 80Gal Air Compressor?

[porschedude996TT]

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?

The oil can run out the open venting port.

 

[porschedude996TT]

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

There trailers are great. I saw one for the first time some years ago and have not seen one since.

 

[IndyGarage]

Just make sure to strap the compressor down good from the top to the bed of the truck.

They're pretty top heavy and the feet on the bottom aren't very wide - I saw a guy with one toppled out of his pickup a year or so ago.

If it's not mounted to a pallet, I'd find a full-size pallet(any hardware store will have one they'll sell or give you) and bolt the compressor to it.

 

[blackdart66]

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

This is exactly what I used to move my 80 gallon Quincy along with a refrigerator dolly.These compressors are a beast.

 

[Stainless169]

This is how I unloaded my 60 gallon.

Built this to hang from my receiver.



Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[Zrexxer]

Here's how I did mine with an engine hoist... I like to think it was a little more elegant solution than wrapping it with straps and getting it all tilted over its center of gravity.

 

[PCO6]

Just make sure to strap the compressor down good from the top to the bed of the truck.

They're pretty top heavy and the feet on the bottom aren't very wide - I saw a guy with one toppled out of his pickup a year or so ago.

If it's not mounted to a pallet, I'd find a full-size pallet(any hardware store will have one they'll sell or give you) and bolt the compressor to it.

To counter the "top heaviness" I ran four 8' 2"x4"s through the pallet mine came on and screwed them to the pallet to give it a bigger foot print. I used my engine crane to lift the compressor in and out of my utility trailer and although there were a few anxious moments it went well.

 

[metalmagpie]

I moved my 80 gallon vertical Champion a year or so ago. Took a small utility trailer with me. Drained the oil. Used a hand truck to move the compressor out by the trailer. With two guys, we just tipped the compressor over into the trailer, lying on its side, air pump towards the front of the trailer. Strapped it down well. Towed it home, didn't move. Home, I slid it back out of the trailer then climbed up into the trailer and lifted the pump, standing it up. Then I cut two 3' pieces of pipe and slipped them under the motor mount, one on each side. Four of us put a shoulder under the pipe and picked it up easily setting it onto a dolly. Rolled it into the shop. To get it off the dolly later, alone, I took advantage of a hole punched in the motor mount halfway between the air pump and electric motor. I was able to run a 3/8-16 tap into the hole then ran an eyebolt into the threads and picked it using my engine hoist from the eyebolt. I bought antivibration feet from Enco similar to these: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDF?PMAKA=325-6612&PMCTLG=00 except I didn't pay anything like that.

metalmagpie

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

If you are going to lay it down on its side for transport having first drained the oil or removed the pump/motor, be sure to chock it well. It's worth $5 in 2x4's to quickly crib up a set of rails to sit on either side of the tank with cross members below. This will give you a wooden surface with the weight of the tank on it to sit securely in your truck. Most trucks have plastic bedliners these days and a tank will gladly slide around. The wooden cribbing will keep it from sliding around or rolling side to side. You should still strap it in, of course, but it will keep it as a dead load versus a live one bouncing around your bed.

 

[DekeT]

Here's how I did mine with an engine hoist... I like to think it was a little more elegant solution than wrapping it with straps and getting it all tilted over its center of gravity.

Nice job, best so far.

 

[md21722]

Here's how I did mine with an engine hoist... I like to think it was a little more elegant solution than wrapping it with straps and getting it all tilted over its center of gravity.

I sold off the engine hoist I used to own, and also sold the front end loader when I moved. Does anyone know if a standard engine hoist lifts high enough that I could use it to lift the R15 pump onto the top of an 80 gallon tank? I imagine I would use some tie straps around the manifolds to create a lift point. The motor already has an eye ring as a lift point.

 

[rustrunner]

when I got my old twin cylinder Worthington, we laid it against the pickup bed, picked up the bottom and slid it in. stayed laid down for two days until I got the 220 run. stood it up, slid some rubber under the legs and fired it up on the third day.

 

[mburrus]

throw a chain hoist in a near by strong tree. done that one plenty of times. draining or removing the pump and laying it over is also a good route to go with it

 

[btdobie]

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.

This

 

[PoorOwner]

I bolted to 2 pieces of 2x6
Used a 800lb capacity hand truck /w 1/4 inch steel bottom and Home Depot 5x8 solid wall trailer.

Honestly the hand truck was more useful for coming down the trailer ramp. We just skidded and scooted it out of the old garage and onto the trailer. On the way down pushing is sketchy so hand truck was used.

One person can tip up the leg easily to install the wood etc. oil was never drained. My helper was able to tip the hand truck and balance it since it has a foot assist on the hand truck.
We move it close and pushed it in the final spot.

 

[dave89iroc]

I sold off the engine hoist I used to own, and also sold the front end loader when I moved. Does anyone know if a standard engine hoist lifts high enough that I could use it to lift the R15 pump onto the top of an 80 gallon tank? I imagine I would use some tie straps around the manifolds to create a lift point. The motor already has an eye ring as a lift point.

tank on the same surface as the engine crane? then yes, it should lift high enough

 

[Todd.Brock]

I picked my R15 pump and put it on the 80 gallon. I was good until about chest height. The last foot or so I realized it was not so smart. Good thinking using your crane. I wish I had one back then. After my hernia surgery I bought one.

If you use a short strap between crane and pump, I think it will go high enough. My Subaru motor went way higher than needed when doing a swap.

 

[sz0k30]

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

While it may look awkward, its only about 1/2 the weight of a big block/auto trans combo.

 

[maxpower_hd]

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

This or a regular two wheeled dolly and a ratchet strap. Then use ramps to roll up into the back of the truck.

 

[TTTTTT]

A small trailer with a fold up gate was the easiest for my 80 gal. They wheeled it right on. I strapped it down. Off loading was also easy by my self. I backed the trailer close to where I needed it. Walked it down the ramp, then as mentioned with a 2 wheel dolly was able to position it where I wanted it. A small or large trailer I guess makes it easy. Just have to watch as it is very top heavy. 2 guys would be easier but I was able to do it myself.

 

[BearsFan315]

i moved my 60 gallon about a hundred miles using a $20 U-Haul Trailer, the 5x8 , we drained oil, laid it down on a few Harbor freight moving blankets, and secured it with a few ratchet straps to hold it in place. worked great not an issue at all.

look at the 5x9 with ramp, that may be best betto ease loading.

story here Craigslist Kobalt Compressor PickUp

 

[1507dennis]

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

I did the same thing when I moved my 80 gal. upright compressor........

 

[kbs2244]

Why is everybody afraid to take off the motor/pump from the tank?
A few bolts and plumbing parts and you have taken a clumsy, top heavy, load into a easy to move one.
With a little planning you could even drain the tank during the trip.

 

[GarageWidget]

+1 to drain oil and lay flat. Lower center of gravity safer to move.

 

[CGT80]

I agree with pulling the motor and pump as there is less chance of an accident.

My compressor is an 80 gallon horizontal with an old 5hp baldor motor and big cast iron pump. My neighbor moved it with his forklift so it was less risky, but I was still surprised at how top heavy it was and unbalanced due to the heavy pump when we were moving it into a position where the forklift could pick it up.

The motor would sit flat when off the tank and the pump could be bolted to some blocks to prevent the need of removing the flywheel. Those would be manageable lifts with two people, even one person for the motor if it could be set on a cart or truck tailgate (it weighs 110 pounds according to baldor).

A couple friends helped me move my tig welder. It weighs around 1,000 pounds and is over 4' tall. It is on wheels and we used a come a long to winch it up a ramp/tailgate and into a trailer. The same idea might work for a horizontal compressor with wheels.

 

[Bigbandguy]

I don't think anyone has mentioned that HF also sells a very inexpensive appliance moving dolly. If one isn't handy to rent those are not bad at all. I have one that I bought to help with a move and it has save my **** more than once with the occasional heavy moving job. If the compressor has to be moved any distance to the truck one of those would really help.

 

[Todd.Brock]

The only problem I found with the appliance dolly is that it's hard to catch two of the compressor feet . But the strap is invaluable. I ended up using a regular dolly with a ratchet strap because I could get it positioned better. Depends on the feet configuration.