used compressor

[stage20]

used compressor kellogg american

20cfm 5hp motor. said it was an old military pump. he used it for semi truck work and is retiring. was mounted in back of truck. says its plugged up and i can hear it run. builds to 175psi no problem. he couldnt remember 50 or 60 gallon tank.

all sealed motor. been in the weather, not sure how it affects motor, but he assures its sealed and worked great.

should i bite?
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/tls/4271812620.html

 

[454ragtop]

Looks an awful lot like my Kellog American, a great compressor I've had for more than 25 yrs. If you can see it work, with no problems, it's a steal for $300. Change the oil once in a while, it will probably outlast you.
HTH, Jim

 

[stage20]

dang yours even looks like it has the same motor and switch setup. im looking at building a compressor, right now i got a free tank. a 5hp quality motor is going to be 250 ish even for a used one. new ones are out of my price range at the moment so this looks like a good alternative.

 

[Zeke]

How can he call it a sealed motor when I can see right into it? What else has he said that is dubious? Is that another friggen gas line from the pump to the tank? I think I'd go over this deal very carefully.

 

[stage20]

How can he call it a sealed motor when I can see right into it? What else has he said that is dubious? Is that another friggen gas line from the pump to the tank? I think I'd go over this deal very carefully.

not sure if its an old steel line with rust and the sun glare on it or a yellow gas line like you say.... i do see the bright steel ends that resemble a yellow type gas flex line.

mmmmm.

 

[unashamedlaborer]

I would check it out for sure. Run it, check the oil for metallic content. Put your hand over the inlet and check the valves. Like previous posters said make sure that isn't a gas line on the discharge. Make sure it unloads when it stops. It looks like the conduit is loose from the pecker head on the motor. Make sure the wires aren't rubbed through on that pecker head before you put power to it.
Also just because you can see through the end cover doesn't mean it isn't a TEFC motor. As the OP stated if it is a good TEFC single phase 5hp motor it's almost worth the asking price. Roll the belts off and spin the motor listen for bearing noise.

 

[stage20]

yea he mentioned all sealed enclosed and has a fan. i looked up enclosed fan cooled motor and some images look similar of his back cover and were labeled TEFC as you mention.

i would guess that means totally enclosed fan cooled?

 

[unashamedlaborer]

yea he mentioned all sealed enclosed and has a fan. i looked up enclosed fan cooled motor and some images look similar of his back cover and were labeled TEFC as you mention.

i would guess that means totally enclosed fan cooled?

Correct. That electrical connection at the pecker head is NFG though. Be careful and check that out before the guy puts power to it.

 

[mmouse]

Kellogg 331. As long as the tank is good, thats a fair deal. Make sure there are no rod knocking or scraping noises.

 

[CNGsaves]

If he "has" to have $300 . . . . then have him Sweeten The Pot with other air tools as surely he has other stuff he can throw into the deal.

I'd be pinging the tank to make sure the bottom isn't rusted out. Open up the drain valve and see what comes out.

Could be a lifetime keeper compressor once it gets some TLC and new paint. Good luck.

 

[stage20]

Correct. That electrical connection at the pecker head is NFG though. Be careful and check that out before the guy puts power to it.

it doesnt look like it by the pic, but he said its outside and hooked up next to his shop. he just aired up some tires with it the other day. im going to look at it at 8am. said i can hear it run no problem. we shall see.
his 300 firm is not 300 FIRM! so maybe i can wheel and deal. onsite, trailer, cash in hand, ya know?

 

[unashamedlaborer]

Those pumps are very quiet, if you unscrew the inlet filter and put the palm of your hand over the inlet port in the head it will get pretty much silent. If your hand feels a pulsation it needs new 1st stage valves, with it that quiet you will be able to hear if it has any clearance issues in the bottom end (knocking) if the pump and motor are in good shPe it's worth the $300 if he doesn't budge.

 

[stage20]

i own it. the compressor and a backache. i need to measure the tank and find out if its 60 or 80 gallon.
the gas line will be replaced. there is a small line from the high pressure cylinder to what looks like a bleed off or drain. it leaks for just a second while the compressor is running, but quits soon after pressure is built. old aluminum or steel line, its got a crack at the ferrel or the ferrel is worn.
motor is a baldor, TEFC replaced 6 years ago when he brought the compressor home.
its in very good shape considering. there is no heavy rust, or flaking to be worried with. its all a nice light brown color thats just on the surface from being in the weather.

with my hands over the inlet, there is only a slight tap to be heard. either the front bearing on the pump or maybe a valve tap.

it built up to 150 psi within just a few mintues. i let all the air out and and let it cycle again and filled right back up. not much moisture comming out with the air like ive seen in the past from an old compressor. couldnt get the petcock loose on the bottom. froze up. i will get it out and see how much water or sludge is in the tank.

thanks for the help! without you all posting i probably would have passed on it. looks like i got a great deal so far.

 

[stage20]

edit. will need a regulator, but that was expected. i got a 50ft rubber line, a nearly new 100ft orange pvc line and a nice dual air chuck with it. he was going to give me an impact as well, but couldnt find it. im happy.

 

[454ragtop]

Congrats! I'll bet it is at least an 80 gal. tank, maybe bigger. Is the air leak that goes away the unloader? By your description, almost sounds like it might be working correctly?
Good luck, Jim

 

[unashamedlaborer]

Re: used compressor kellogg american

Good deal. That unit will outlast you most likely. Hit me up if you need some oil for it. That line your talking about is for the centrifugal unloader. There is a little shrader valve In the front of the pump that is actuated to bleed off the air in the intercooler, discharge pipe, and both cylinders so that it can start unloaded.

 

[fury9]

Looks like a 60 gallon judging by the oil jug leaning on the tank.

 

[stage20]

the tank is a 75 or 80 gallon tank according to my math, but it could be off. tank is 20" x 60"
pulled the regulator and fittings off, pulled the petcock out completely and let it drain. nice clear steady drip of water. no rust chunks, or grey sludge at all.

 

[unashamedlaborer]

Re: used compressor kellogg american

It's 80gal. No such thing as a 75gal tank on a compressor.

 

[ffjeeper]

Looks like a Buddy's DeVilbiss 44643. His has been a well built, reliable machine. Big enough to use for autobody work. Good luck with it.

 

[stage20]

i found a chart with specs. 23cfm at 175psi and 27cfm at 100psi. i will never need anything else out of a compressor, nor did i need one this big, but its a done deal. ill take wore out quality over new junk.

 

[fury9]

i found a chart with specs. 23cfm at 175psi and 27cfm at 100psi. i will never need anything else out of a compressor, nor did i need one this big, but its a done deal. ill take wore out quality over new junk.

That's a ton of cfm, you can blast with that. I'll take old over new just about all the time.

 

[stage20]

Friend of mine said it would run two DA's constant. That's a lot of air. Some sludge was holding up the water. Drip went to wide open water leak. Minimal sludge, rust chips, no chunks and water is still nice and clear. Around 4 gallons in a bucket. My dad said that wasn't too terrible.

 

[454ragtop]

Must not have drained it for years, mine makes so little water I can't believe it. Lots of air, mine runs my blast cabinet with a fairly large nozzle non stop. Doubt there is anything in the way of an automotive tool it won't run.