Common Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid on a Rental Compressor

28 February 2019
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While hiring a compressor might be a cheaper option than buying a new one for a startup processing plant, the overall rental cost majorly depends on how you approach the maintenance of the equipment. Since hiring a compressor entails periodic payments within the rental period, processing plants must be careful when using the machine. The reason is that mistakes in the maintenance of rental compressors can quickly ramp up costs and might surpass rental prices. As a compressor operator, this is the last thing you want to happen because compressor maintenance mistakes negate the overall objective of saving operational costs. This article explores some of the most common maintenance mistakes that compressor operators make on rental compressors.

Focusing on the Air Compressor

Operators are often advised to ensure that a processing plant gets the most out of a rental air compressor for the duration of the lease. Consequently, more maintenance time is designated to the compressor as broader maintenance steps take a back seat. However, the approach can harm the entire pressure system even if the compressor is in excellent condition. Operators must, therefore, understand that the only way to get the most out of a rental compressor is by giving every component that is connected to the air compressor equal attention. For instance, if the air receiver is clogged, then the energy costs will increase since the air compressor has to run longer to keep up with air demands. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain the system as a whole rather than as individual components if the objective is to maximise usage of a rental compressor.

Ignoring Pre-Usage Air Leak Inspection

Another mistake that compressor operators make when the equipment is delivered to the premises is failing to conduct a pre-usage air leak inspection. It can be attributed to the assumption that rental companies usually deliver air compressors that are free from defects. While this is true, a lot can happen during transit that compromises the integrity of the compressors air seals and pipes, thereby cause air leaks. A thorough inspection is, therefore, mandatory once the compressor arrives because some leaks might be too small for the naked eye to notice. Identifying and repairing potential air leaks will save you lots of money, especially if the compressor is going to run throughout the rental period.

Failure to Request Troubleshooting Data

The truth about a rental air compressor is that the equipment is leased to different firms, and upon return, rental firms do their best to clean and service it. Another thing that rental companies do is to collect and compile data from their clients concerning the performance of air compressors. As such, it is critical to ask for the data before signing a rental agreement. The data will enable you to identify telltale signs of possible performance issues as well as hard-to-spot inconsistencies with the equipment. As a result, you can take the right remedies to avoid complete failure of the rental compressor.

For more information, contact a business that specializes in compressor hire.