PTO Air Compressors?

Have an idea floating around in my head that would require a PTO-driven air compressor capable of 12-15 CFM @ 100 PSI from a 540 PTO.

Yes, I'm aware of the antique JD units and no, they won't push nearly enough air.

No, I can't/won't use a separate engine-powered air compressor.

I've heard that air-powered orchard equipment (pruners and such) is fairly common, that might be a source.

Anybody know of a source for something like that?

Common here and not expensive (???). Have to do the monkeymath and see if they are the capacity you need. If so, I can give you the info and send you one if they weigh less than 70 pounds.....

First, I'd do some cackle-atin' while looking at your shop air compressor- they have a smaller pulley on the motor, so I wonder what speed the compressor is running? Might be somewhere near PTO speed, and you could just chuck a PTO shaft to the compressor and have what you need. I have checked into gearbox units to change PTO speed, and you're looking at some serious $$$ to do that.

Orchardists use air-blast sprayers to put out powdered product- they must have a compressor of some kind.

Just a thought, we have a small "back-up" compressor in the shop at work. Mechanic made it from an old air tank, an electric motor, and an air compressor from one of the old Macks sitting out back for parts. I know itll run the 3/4 impact long enough to change a tire.

Cool, thanks.

I've been surfing a bit, and I think I can buy just the compressor head (or find a used one) and farmer-engineer a drive system to run it at the appropriate speed.

Need to study up on air governors and unloaders and such.

Ultimate goal is a portable unit capable of 15+ CFM. Originally thought 3PH mount, but a little trailer would be just as good and probably easier to rig.

(quoted from post at 08:46:00 04/08/12) Cool, thanks.

I've been surfing a bit, and I think I can buy just the compressor head (or find a used one) and farmer-engineer a drive system to run it at the appropriate speed.

Need to study up on air governors and unloaders and such.

Ultimate goal is a portable unit capable of 15+ CFM. Originally thought 3PH mount, but a little trailer would be just as good and probably easier to rig.

Click to expand...

If you're willing to go with a small trailer, why not a portable generator and your existing compressor? Skip the trailer and put you together a 3PH carryall... Whatcha makin????

1: Generator won't run the compressor, not enough
poop to start it.

2. My compressor is a big ol' Quincy with a 5 HP
motor on it, too big to move, and it's hard-plumbed
into my shop.

3. I need quite a lot of air and middlin' sized
electrics won't give me the CFM I need.

Here's what the orchard guys might use. But maybe mount a shop compressor on a frame and pully from the pto to get it up to 1750rpm. Wouldnt take much horsepower, you could probably match a pulley size to work just above idle?
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Yeah, I saw that when I was googling around. Any idea what the price tag would be on something like that?

I have an idea I should be sitting down when I find out..."8^(

I wouldn't even want to hazzard a guess. We see them used up here once in a while. Mostly you see huge compressors with 200+ gallon tanks for 5 or 6 guys pruning at the same time.

4 cylinder engine...plumb a manifold into spark plug holes with check valves...run pto off either end...build a 3 point frame to mount it on...should put out more than your specs.

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Should be enough ideas to get you started. Set it up for continuous run using a compressor with unloaders in the head. They will automatically regulate CFM and PSI. If you want to take a run down the coast to look, I am near Lowell, MA. May even have a compressor for sale.

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Almost forgot this one.

I was thinking of a car engine. 4, 6, or 8cyl, what ever you have around.

If you convert an engine to be a compressor, be sure to run it the same direction as it did when it was an engine. It would compress air as well, but the oil pump will not pump oil in reverse rotation. IT will not live 10 minutes.