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Quality of a 140 PSI Twin Cylinder Air Compressor Pump for 5 HP Motor

by John Weaver
(Eureka CA USA)

Harbor Freight has a 140 PSI Twin Cylinder Air Compressor Pump for 5 HP Motor for sale.

I would like to hear reviews or your input on this item. It's 90 day limited warranty states that it does not cover "normal wear and tear". To me that is no warranty at all.

Has anyone has any experience with it? They give no info as to the where when or who of the manufacturer, meaning its probably China and poor steel as usual.

Thanks
John W.
jweav2002@suddenlink.net






Bill answers...

Hi John and thanks for writing in from beautiful CA.

It's my guess too, from the information that you have provided, that the unit is made in China.

In terms of the warranty, I think most things we buy today that have electro-mechanical parts don't cover normal wear and tear. Just had belts put on my car's engine, still under warranty (just) but they were a wear item. See what I mean?

A question I would have for them is what happens if it breaks under warranty; a manufacturer's defect for example? Who fixes? And, if it breaks after warranty, who fixes?

The last thing I'd be concerned about is what you intend to do with it? Is it destined to be a production compressor, running all shifts every day? That being the case, maybe you should be talking to a compressor supplier that has the ability to provide field service in the event of a problem. That will cost you more, but what's the aggro worth?

John, you know that if you buy cheap, you get cheap. If your need is for intermittent non-industrial air use, and they have answered your questions about repairs to your satisfaction, then their unit will probably suffice. If it's continuous operation, you take a risk buying an el-cheapo compressor that may, ultimately, cost you more in the long run with maintenance and loss of productivity issues.

If you are looking for a compressor repair facility, here is an info page.

Other comments are sure welcome.

Cheers,

Bill

Comments for
Quality of a 140 PSI Twin Cylinder Air Compressor Pump for 5 HP Motor

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Jul 20, 2010
poor quality internal parts
by: lottajava

I have a 5hp 140 PSI compressor head that I bought from HF to replace a head that failed after 10 yrs. The first HF head failed after 6 months. I took it back and was told it wasnt covered by warranty. The mgr gave me a discount to buy another one ...so I did. I also bought a 2yr warranty for it. The second head failed after 5 months. The store replaced the head without a problem. So I'm now on my third. I took apart the first head which I couldnt return. The valves inside are flat plates of spring steel. They fail from fatigue. There are 4 of these steel flapper values in the head. My old compressor head had ball valves.

Dec 26, 2009
Don't Buy the HF one get an Eaton
by: pcbeachrat

Harbor Freight carries no warranty, you end up sending it too the supplier and can take 2 months to get it back. Eatoncompressors.com has a twin v 140 psi v twin pump I just bought and only for 145.00..It is 13 cfm displacment and 9.2 true cfm.

HF only gives the displacement cfm and is not true cfm.Eaton pumps are made and assembled in America and carry A 5 year bumper to bumper warranty, and not pro rated.Also for warranty service eaton builds thier own pumps right there at the same place you buy them and have 24/7 support on these pumps..Included are stell disk valves, the whole pump is cast iron and not aluminum with cast iron sleeves.Just search eaton compressors..Buy America..

Nov 17, 2009
Which model?
by: MEP1

I have seen two different compressor models at Harbor Freight, one of which is obviously very cheaply made, the other is identical to the Kobalt line sold at Lowe's home improvement centers. The latter is a very good compressor for the price (as long as it's broken in properly per the installation instructions).

Jul 13, 2009
Great if you like to rebuild compressors
by: Anonymous

We have one of these units and it lasted a few months then need a rebuild after which it lasted another few months. It is in a light industrial use application where the compressor is powered 8 hours a day and operates a total of about 20 minutes per hour.

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