Recommendation for shop air compressor

[Brad_bb]

I need an air compressor for blowing out my baler and running a few tools in my equipment shed. It is not heated, but I don't see it being used between November and March much at all. It has to be single phase, which probably limits me to 7.5HP I'm thinking. How big a tank should I have, and should I have a second tank for storage when blowing out the baler? It'll mainly be used to prep for hay, cleaning after first cutting, and after second cutting, airing up all the tractor and implement tires. We don't often get a third cutting unless it's a weird year with more rain than normal at the right intervals. I have a compressor in my other shop where I do a lot of other stuff. Thanks, Brad

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I need an air compressor for blowing out my baler and running a few tools in my equipment shed. It is not heated, but I don't see it being used between November and March much at all. It has to be single phase, which probably limits me to 7.5HP I'm thinking. How big a tank should I have, and should I have a second tank for storage when blowing out the baler? It'll mainly be used to prep for hay, cleaning after first cutting, and after second cutting, airing up all the tractor and implement tires. We don't often get a third cutting unless it's a weird year with more rain than normal at the right intervals. I have a compressor in my other shop where I do a lot of other stuff. Thanks, Brad

Have you tried using a leaf blower to blow out your bailer?
I have a 20v cordless dewalt leaf blower.
Amazon after market leaf blower that uses a 20v dewalt battery

Cordless Leaf Blower Up to 500CFM Compatible with DEWALT 20V Max Battery (No Battery), Electric Leaf Blower Cordless with 5 Speed Modes, Battery Powered Leaf Blowers for Lawn Care, Yard​

$49.99

Another one is rated at 200 mph

Cordless Leaf Blower Compatible with Dewalt 20V Max Battery Up to 200MPH Small Electric Leaf Blower, 3 Speeds Mode, Battery Powered Mini Leaf Blowers for Patio (Battery not Included​

$39.99

I use a leaf blower to remove leafs from my lawn mowers, Better than using an air compressor.
I prefer using cordless impacts and cordless tools over pneumatic.
I would recommend only buying a 2 stage compressor.
I bought this single stage dewalt and regret it. Very noisy.
My dewalt is a 1.5 hp and more than enough to air up tires and spray painting..

 

[Brad_bb]

Yes I have Milwaukee and Stihl leaf blowers, but you still need compressed air to dislodge a lot of stuff especially if mixed iwth some grease and in tight areas.

I did find this article which indicates 2 stage compressors better for farm shops due to separation of water from the oil. They show some 60 and 80 gallon tanks. Just not sure if it would work well without stopping too much. I'm looking at a Champion R series with two stage piston compressor.
Successful Farming Shop compressors

 

[wore out]

Yes I have Milwaukee and Stihl leaf blowers, but you still need compressed air to dislodge a lot of stuff especially if mixed iwth some grease and in tight areas.

I did find this article which indicates 2 stage compressors better for farm shops due to separation of water from the oil. They show some 60 and 80 gallon tanks. Just not sure if it would work well without stopping too much. I'm looking at a Champion R series with two stage piston compressor.
Successful Farming Shop compressors

"2 stage compressors better for farm shops due to separation of water from the oil"

MANSPLAINING, if I ever heard it! (Actually, the article is talking against "rotary screw" compressors vs. "2-stage piston compressors" for farm shops, rather than 2-stage vs. single-stage piston compressors, and I doubt you were considering a $$$ "rotary screw" compressor for typical farm shop use?)

Yes, a two-stage compressor would be my choice.

I've had a so-called 5 HP (22.5 Amps) two stage piston air compressor with an 80 gallon tank since 1984 and it has blown a LOT of chaff and debris off of equipment probably the "smallest" unit worth considering for HD use in a farm shop, IMHO.

 

[urbancase]

I bought my son when he put his shop up a 60 gal single stage dewalt air compressor. It was a work trade as he done some stuff for me. I have a 80 gal 2 stage ingersall Rand in my shop that gets used hard. I do agree with blowing off balers as I have a 60 volt dewalt leaf blower I use on balers and combines and it works good as long as your outside.

 

[560Dennis]

Look at the motor , if sand blasting with it ,need continuous rated

 

[caterpillar guy]

Depending on where you are at I would opt for a Saylor - Beal. Made in St. Johns MI. Going with either tank with 175 PSI will be your friend. IF you put a regulator on the line your air will go farther since you would not be blowing air at 135 then down to 50 as you run out it would keep a steady 100 lets say till it dropped below that and would not have more than that flowing when higher pressure. The higher pressure will let you work longer before needing to come on to pump air. Mine has a 5HP motor on it with the 175 setting for semi tires it works well so I don't get stuck between on and off cycles with a tire not filled completely. It also makes air wrenches work well at that pressure. They are pricey but woth the cost to me compared to a no information Quincy. I called them for parts on one and they told me it was to old for their knowledge to find a spring for one of the valves. Since have not thought much of a Quincy. Not many around here either. Most are ingersoll or campbell fro TSC or the commercail guys seem to opt for the Saylor-Beal. The Saylor- Beal runs slow also only 7or800 RPM on the pump with 1750 motors on them.

 

[Dusty MI]

My first air compressor was an old refrigerator compressor, and I used a portable air tank with a pressure relief valve, and a snap coupler hose. Not grate but worked well for when you had a flat tire when you had a flat tire on a hay wagon out in the field.

 

[DWF]

I have a Champion 5hp two stage air compressor with an 80 gallon tank. Very good luck with it. Made in Princeton Il. I purchased it from TP tools in Ohio, but it was shipped to me in Wi from the factory. Very quiet running compressor, all others I have seen operating make more noise than the Champion. www.tptools.com 1-800-321- 9260, real nice place to do business with.
DWF

 

[Destroked 450]

Depending on where you are at I would opt for a Saylor - Beal. Made in St. Johns MI. Going with either tank with 175 PSI will be your friend. IF you put a regulator on the line your air will go farther since you would not be blowing air at 135 then down to 50 as you run out it would keep a steady 100 lets say till it dropped below that and would not have more than that flowing when higher pressure. The higher pressure will let you work longer before needing to come on to pump air. Mine has a 5HP motor on it with the 175 setting for semi tires it works well so I don't get stuck between on and off cycles with a tire not filled completely. It also makes air wrenches work well at that pressure. They are pricey but woth the cost to me compared to a no information Quincy. I called them for parts on one and they told me it was to old for their knowledge to find a spring for one of the valves. Since have not thought much of a Quincy. Not many around here either. Most are ingersoll or campbell fro TSC or the commercail guys seem to opt for the Saylor-Beal. The Saylor- Beal runs slow also only 7or800 RPM on the pump with 1750 motors on them.

I just ordered a refresh kit for my 72 model 325 Quincy, no problems getting parts
I don’t care for the QT series found in box stores and a R series is a bit pricey for the average home owner, but I had no issues buying mine used

 

[Destroked 450]

There’s a number of good brands out there but some of them also sell cheaper made models to compete with the offshore stuff
A good 2 stage pump that turns less the 900 rpm with a 1750 rpm motor making 17 cfm at 175 psi is usually a good quality pump that will give long service, plus they are quieter and run cooler than the small rattling high speed pumps spun by a 3600 rpm motors one finds in most box stores
I’d go with a 80 gallon tank
I had a cheap single stage pump with 3600 rpm motor and 60 gallon tank, you couldn’t hardly carry a conversation with it running, now with my 325 Quincy and 80 gallon tank I can stand beside it and talk with it running

 

[Brad_bb]

No, no sandblasting. That requires way too much flow. I remember a lot of compressors had a bad rep back in the 90's with Aluminum pumps instead of cast iron. The line to day may be blurred a bit between consumer and farm use.

The thing is I have a 7.5hp Champion two stage cast iron compressor that I was intending for my regular shop. But we kinda need one now at the machine shed. I think my tank is 80 gal. and I was afraid that might not be enough storage for using the d blower. The blower is one that is a long wand to reach in places. Some of you may know that type? Anyway that Champion was like almost $6K like 8 years ago. (It's still like new). I'm afraid to see what that same one would cost now. But I'm going to find out. But how much tank storage do I need is the question.

 

[Destroked 450]

My search shows a Champion 7.5 hp compressor to be 23 cfm
I don’t have any problems blowing off my baler with my 17 cfm Quincy
You shouldn’t need more than it’s 80 gallon tank

 

[Hobo,NC]

No, no sandblasting. That requires way too much flow. I remember a lot of compressors had a bad rep back in the 90's with Aluminum pumps instead of cast iron. The line to day may be blurred a bit between consumer and farm use.

The thing is I have a 7.5hp Champion two stage cast iron compressor that I was intending for my regular shop. But we kinda need one now at the machine shed. I think my tank is 80 gal. and I was afraid that might not be enough storage for using the d blower. The blower is one that is a long wand to reach in places. Some of you may know that type? Anyway that Champion was like almost $6K like 8 years ago. (It's still like new). I'm afraid to see what that same one would cost now. But I'm going to find out. But how much tank storage do I need is the question.

How far away are the sheds ?

 

[Dusty MI]

Sometime in the early '60's I bought a New Holland bailer and bailed a lot of hay&straw. I don't remember ever blowing-removing chaff off of it. Not saying I didn't, just don't think it was that much of a problem.

 

[Brad_bb]

How far away are the sheds ?

Much too far to connect using one.

 

[Brad_bb]

I use a D1000 New Holland medium/big square baler ( a Dinosaur) and it's important to blow out the knotters especially. The lube and chaff and knot cut offs. It needs to be clean when you start to prevent issues. We just changed a billhook on the #2 string that has worn much more than others. It kept "not tying" last year and dragging the string. Actually this happened for the first third of the cutting and didn't after. Hopefully the billhook will solve it.

 

[joeysmith]

Plumbing a couple smaller compressors together works pretty good for occasional use like that to
Just another option that may or may not work for you

 

[buickanddeere]

Something at least one size larger than what you think is required .

 

[JDIH]

For the tasks you listed I'd go to harbor freight. I bought one there about a year ago for the jobs you listed. It's been perfect. On sale for i think $230. 20 some gallons and 175 psi. It has no problem running air tools occasionally. Can wheel it across the driveway to air up a flat tire. 120v so can plug it in anywhere. It's not something you'd want to run a commercial shop off but it handles the listed jobs very well. No need for a couple thousand dollar compressor for that stuff in my opinion