Close-up of grey air compressor

How to Maintain an Air Compressor

Close-up of grey air compressor

Taking care of an air compressor might seem like a daunting task, but there are some simple steps you can take to make air compressor maintenance easy. If you’ve ever wondered how to maintain an air compressor so it continues to operate at maximum efficiency, keep reading.

Change the Oil

Just like with your car, you need to change the oil in your air compressor every so often to make sure it’s pulling its weight. First, turn your machine on for a few minutes to let the oil thin out. Next, drain the old oil. Finally, replace your air compressor with whatever oil your specific manufacturer recommends for your machine.

Replace the Belt

Making sure your belt is in top shape is vital when it comes to your air compressor. Most modern air compressors have a plastic cage that surrounds the belt system. Once you locate the belt and determine if it needs replacement, all you have to do is pull it off by way of the largest pulley in the conveyor, and slip the new one on via the smallest pulley.

Checking the Filter

The filter is one of the most important components of your air compressor and of air compressor maintenance. It is easier than you think to make sure this component is in tip-top condition. To check and replace most filters, it’s as simple as pulling the old one out by hand and sliding the new one in.

Testing the Safety Shutdown

Many air compressors have a safety shutdown system that not only keeps you safe in situations where your compressor might dangerously overheat but also helps ensure that your machine doesn’t reach that point in the first place. Check your manual to see how to test your device’s safety shutdown feature to make sure it’s running as intended.

Staying on Top of It

Learning the ins and outs of how to maintain your air compressor won’t do you much good if you don’t put those skills to use. If you take what you’ve learned in this blog and make sure you put the needed work into your air compressor regularly, you won’t need to replace it for quite some time.

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