With the first signs of Spring emerging and the lockdown lifting, it is tempting to overlook regular maintenance of compressor equipment to get on with the job in hand, however investing a few minutes of time to Spring clean your portable compressor can pay dividends in terms of productivity and uptime for the year ahead.
Spring for many of us heralds the start of warmer weather in the UK, which brings with it – hopefully – higher air temperatures. This has the knock-on effect of altering the moisture content of the air as well as the levels of particulates present. As a result, your portable compressor has to work slightly harder in order to produce the same air quality.
As compressors are required for almost every air tool out there, regular maintenance is a great way to ensure a long life for your compressor and your hand-held tool. Before you undertake any spring cleaning however it is always best to refresh yourself with the maintenance manual, so that you can be sure you are carrying out any checks in the right way – it will also help to keep any warranty on your compressor from becoming void.
Here’s a list of our top things to focus on this Spring:
- Dust and particles: Just as dust is more visible in your house in the Spring, the same goes for your compressor. Sand, pollen and soil particles can all spell trouble if they access or block the air inlet or filters. It is worth taking a few minutes to clean any visible dust from the compressor and to check filters aren’t clogged in order to ensure the air flows freely to your compressor.
- Ventilation around your compressor. Check that your portable compressor is always positioned where there is sufficient ventilation. If it has been installed where there is poor air flow it may lead to the compressor overheating which can result in loss of productivity and in extreme cases, downtime.
- Check for moisture levels. Warmer air contains more moisture which can accumulate in air tanks or receivers when the air is being compressed. It is important therefore to drain any air tanks regularly to prevent any moisture build up which may lead to rust and internal damage of the compressor as well as excess moisture in the compressed air output.
- Nuts, bolts and connections. If your portable air compressor is moved around on a daily basis from location to location, and in and out of the back of a van, it is wise to check all nuts, bolts and connections regularly. Although highly unlikely to loosen, it is prudent to keep a quick eye on them to prevent any potential air leaks before they happen.
- Check all hoses, air lines and connectors for leaks. A regular check for leaks can help prevent any pressure drop problems occurring which can have an impact on the productivity of any downstream air tools.
- Check oil levels – Finally, a quick check that any oil in your compressor has been changed recently, according to the maintenance schedule. This can help to prolong the life of your compressor and ensures that productivity is optimised.
The list above gives you the main areas to consider for any Spring clean. It is best to keep on top of maintenance regularly however to prevent any unwanted downtime for your business, especially if you are out and about on site.
To find out more about the Vert range of portable compressors visit our compressor page or contact us at sales@vertrotors.com