Buying An Air Compressor ..2

Buying an air compressor ..2. This is page two of information about what you need to know to make an informed buying decision about an air compressor.

Here's the first page of information on buying a compressor.

And here's where I list more of the factors you will want to consider when looking for and buying your air compressor.

What Comes With It?

One manufacturer has a list of included features that another shows as extra cost accessories.

What comes included with each compressor? Here's a page that discusses accessories further.

Consider building a spreadsheet with features and benefits of each system from each vendor. This is a useful way to compare "apples to apples" from various compressors and manufacturers.

Maintenance

What is required regarding maintenance for each compressor you are looking at? What are the mean times between maintenance functions; what are the cost of the various consumables each compressor may require, for regular and long term maintenance?

For example, if the air compressor is oil lubed, how often between oil changes, and what is the type of oil recommended? Some manufacturers recommend synthetic oils which come at higher cost. If so, what are the benefits you can expect for that greater expense?

Life expectancy

How long will this particular model last when used for normal operating periods.

If you've considered under sizing your air compressor to save some capital expense up front, and end up pushing it past its acceptable duty cycle, how will that affect its life expectancy? Will you be buying another compressor much sooner than expected?

Warranty

Not all warranties or guarantees are made equal. To get your business, some manufacturers may improve on their warranty. If that is the case, make sure you get any such promises in writing.

You might save a lot of money on a compressor that offers a poor warranty, yet you might find yourself replacing it completely, long before a more expensive unit, backed by a secure warranty, would have been used up.

Who fixes?

Do you have someone in your shop that's capable of fixing your air compressor when the warranty expires?

If not, who will fix the air compressor then? Where are their offices, what's the response time, are there travel expenses, and how much will it cost for a service call?

On this page is a list of compressor repair shops for your use.

Parts Cost

You want a company that has a good warranty, and backs it up with in-plant service, but what about the parts cost?

Once you know who will fix your compressor, ask for a parts breakdown, determine from the vendor which parts are likely to fail, and ask what the purchase price is for those parts.

There will be significant pricing disparities for similar parts from different vendors. Take the time to check as parts cost could be a large part of your compressor operating budget as time goes on.

Capital cost

How much does it cost to purchase each type of compressor you've narrowed your list down to?

Some might quote delivered your plant, others not, so add delivery / installation costs to the capital cost of each if the price quoted doesn't include that, so that all vendor's prices are quoted the same.

Financing

Are there any creative financing options available from the various compressor firms to help entice you to purchase from them?

Some may "carry the paper" of the loan, and if they will, and you decide not to take that benefit, perhaps refusing it might lower the cost of the unit somewhat?

We've spent a lot of time talking about Buying your compressor, about things you need to know to select the correct one.

Now, how about the cost to use? For information on the cost of compressors, to help you in making your buying decision, here is information compressor costs.