Air Compressor Transport

[markcj5]

Hey guys,
Quick question. I have to move a large vertical compressor and was wondering if I can lay it down to do this. I figure if I let it sit for a day or so after I stand it back up before fireing it back up it would be alright. What do you think.
Thanks
Mark

[TatonkaII]

How big are we talking about here? Ive got an 80 that i had to move about 40 miles, just strapped it down REALLY well and drove slowley.. now, if you must lie it down, Id drain all the oil out for sure, may as well do ahead and make sure you get ALL of the moisture out before hand as well. Otherwise, i dont see a big problem, just be very carefully not to damage anything.

[markcj5]

Its only like a 60 gallon but it will only be my father and I loading it on to the truck or trailer. Only have to go like a mile down the road from a friends house back to our garage. We don't know we can pick it up with a cherry picker high enough to get it on the truck or trailer (the trailer has the deck over the wheels so it is pretty high). We are definatly going to try and stand it up. Was just wondering if it came to that. Thanks
Mark

[PAToyota]

I transported my 80 gallon compressor for about an eight hour drive. Drained the oil and laid it on its side. Just to be safe, drain the oil. Easier than ending up having problems. Other than that I'd just take it easy and not bump it around too much and it should be fine.

[ironpig70]

drain the oil or it will be in the bed of the truck :D and let it sit a day before you refill it and fire it up

[Kartracer55]

Yeah I guess you would be able to lay it down. When ours was delivered (on an 18 wheeler mind you) we had to figure out how to get it off the shipping pallet. We were able to use 2 car jacks and our engine hoist. to do it. The engine hoist wont go up high enough to lift if more than like a foot off the ground at most and thats at best. Im speaking from expierience here too! lol. Laying it down on the trailer might work, but be carefull as to how you wnat to go about doing this. When you go to tilt the thing, up into the trailer, it is going to want to slide forward, and probably take out your knees, so Id recomend getting a ratcheting tie down strap and connect it to the top of the compressor and the trailer hitch, so that it doesnt get all otu fo controll when you tip it.

Jim

[markcj5]

Sounds good. Yeah it probably will want to kick back at our legs. The strap is a good idea. We will drain the oil before we lay it over (needed a oil change anyway). Thanks again guys.
Mark

[D60]

My 80gal Craftsman came with oil in it. It sat on it's side for weeks in the shipping packaging until I could unload it from my *van*. I let it sit for maybe a week (too busy w other stuff), topped off the oil and fired it up. No problems for a couple years now.

[pcorssmit]

I brought mine home laying down in the back of my Blazer, it was probably in there for 24 hours. Didn't drain the oil, just made sure it was sitting the right way so it wouldn't leak all over the truck. Just let it sit for a while and it should be fine.

Pete

[Travis Waldher]

on mine, it came without oil. (same as draining it)

We put it on it's side to move it, put the oil in and fired it right up. no waiting. I really don't understand this wait thing... even if oil got in to the piston, it'll just be deposited in the tank when it's fired up... right?

[PAToyota]

I guess the thought about waiting is that if the oil gets into the cylinder it might hydrolock -- petrolock? :) I still say drain the oil, especially if (as you say) it needs changed anyway. Easier to drain the oil than to say afterwards "Wish we had drained the oil..."

[markcj5]

Got it home without incident. Thanks for the help guys.
Mark