Aggie06 builds an off-road air compressor

Aggie06

Aggie06

Under the lump, there’s a twenty gauge pump
Joined
May 20, 2020
Member Number
678
Messages
2,405
Loc
Balls Deep South Texas
This is going to probably end up semi-ugly, but that’s ok.

I’m starting with this ***an gas powered compressor. The goal is to make it easy to move around my tractor/equipment for work or cleaning purposes. Hence, the off-road part.

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Will be working on this over the next week or so. Plan is to build a frame with tires to mount it on. I likely will add some sort of hose reel and holder for nozzles/air guns.
 
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First parts ordered.

The fuel tank was roached. I probably could cleaned it
and fixed it, but for $20, a new one is the easier option.

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Next up are some new isolation pads. These will be mounted between the compressor frame and whatever frame I come up with.

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My next stop is TSC and Harbor Freight for other various pieces.
 
Harbor freight trip yielded a few things.

They have a coupon for the central pneumatic air hose reel right now. I have the Merlin version in my garage which seems slightly more heavy duty. That being said, for this purpose and at a cheaper price this will work well.

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My plan was to find pneumatic tires there, and piece together a frame with scrap I had laying around. I figured I would end up buying some pieces for it. However, harbor freight stepped in with their 1200 lb rated cart being on sale also. It was around twice the cost of the tires alone, but saves a bunch of time. My plan is to reinforce it where needed, hack what I want to, and change what I see fit. It’s actually about the right size for the compressor.

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I will update with more shenanigans later.
 
if that cart is like the ones I have for my yard, replace the thin lock nut on the bolt that the front steering pivots on. The ones from the factories always work loose and then it wobbles like crazy.

It's the one thing I dislike about that style carts. Get it tight so it doesn't wobble much, and now it doesn't turn easy. make it loose enough to turn easy, and it'll eventually wobble loose again.

I used a nylock nut with blue lock ***e with decent success. I have half a mind to try some sort of bearing on there so that it can remain tight but still pivot.
 
Good to know.


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I had some 1x2 rectangular tubing leftover from my sprayer. Cut it to length and welded it inside the frame of the cart. This is where the frame on the air compressor will be mounted.
 
We are at the portion of using metal I have laying around. Had some 1.5” square tubing that I cut for the hose reel mounts. This is the compressor and reel mocked up. I’m not sure I like where the reel is at, so it might get moved.

The gas tank and some other assorted parts came in, but I haven’t messed with those yet.


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Are you going to remove the hand on the air compressor? It will free up some space, and if you move the hose reel forward you’d have the whole backside for longer stuff or a rectangular storage box.
 
RunningProblem said:
Are you going to remove the hand on the air compressor? It will free up some space, and if you move the hose reel forward you’d have the whole backside for longer stuff or a rectangular storage box.
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Yes, it’s just on there to help load/unload the compressor until I bolt it on. The wheel/tire are still on it also for the same reasons.

dnsfailure said:
yeah, a little tool/storage box would be a nice addition there
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I have two ammo cans for that right now, but might change those out for a single tool box. They will likely end up on the other side of the compressor tank.
 
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You'll likely need a big washer on top those vibration pads.

I used the same on my compressors. I just cut some squares out of 10 gauge slightly smaller than the foam.
 
The old pads were falling apart, but I noticed that they had large washers when pulling them off. I have some random sheet metal laying around that might work.
 
I was going to say to get airless tires, but you have a compressor handy :lmao: Filling them up every time you want to use it can be a pia though. I swear half of those tubes are made of swiss cheese.
I would worry about tipping the cart over with the reel mounted sideways.
 
77fixer said:
I was going to say to get airless tires, but you have a compressor handy :lmao: Filling them up every time you want to use it can be a pia though. I swear half of those tubes are made of swiss cheese.
I would worry about tipping the cart over with the reel mounted sideways.
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That’s a concern, but with the weight of the compressor I’m not sure it will. I’m not sure if I will be pulling the cart if I turn it to spool out the back.

Tire can be replaced if they suck.
 
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Holes are drilled, but still need to paint the metal I welded in and mount the tank and reel. Next to the reel, I’m planning to make a mount to hold two 3 ton all-n-one jacks. I’m thinking about going from the ammo cans to a tool box next to the air tank.
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I need to get two replacement drain valves for the tanks. Guessing they were knocked off during moving.
 
Ended up putting new ignition parts, carb, gas tank, etc. on the compressor.

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I still need to get a short hose to connect the reel to the tank, mount the toolbox, and make some kind of locking system to keep the jack stands from bouncing off.
 
This is the part of the build called using what I have laying around.

For example a piece of chain and a small shackle were used for the purpose of holding down the jack stands. A little grinding and welding, and it is done.

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Next was making a mount to hold my larger air gun.

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A slightly larger hole was drilled in the old handle bracket, and I made a mount using a small piece of strap metal and an eye bolt I found in my stash. It conveniently used an existing bolt for a mounting spot.

I decided on mounting one ammo can for now. I’m still thinking about adding a toolbox in the bare space next to it, but haven’t found what I want yet.

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Gbkeith said:
Do you regret not using taller tires?
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Will see when I use it in the field this coming week. I have the feeling I will. Or at least wider tires. I’m already thinking about rebuilding the axle to allow for different tires, but that will be later this fall when I have more time to mess with it. I’m still happy with the main part of the cart. If nothing else it was a quick way to hit my initial goal.

Right now I need to clean the unloader valve. It’s choking the engine out when it starts building pressure. I’m sure it’s dirty and/or corroded from sitting in storage for the past three years.
 
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I used it in the field for the first time today. The axles, steering, and tires will be need be upgraded. They work ok in their current form, but could work better. At the moment, I’m thinking about grabbing a couple of front axles off of riding lawnmowers and modifying them.
 
Aggie06 said:
I used it in the field for the first time today. The axles, steering, and tires will be need be upgraded. They work ok in their current form, but could work better. At the moment, I’m thinking about grabbing a couple of front axles off of riding lawnmowers and modifying them.
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Just steal the rear axle for the big float tires and add some handles and legs.
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Aggie06 said:
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This part is pretty weak. I’m expecting to need a rebuild or at least some reinforcement.
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I had bought one of those to use as a welder and plasma "off road" cart from Lowes or Homes Depot.

It's sitting in the scrap pile, I gave up after it flipped the 3rd or 4th time and dumped everything off it.
It wasn't terrible going straight, but anything more than like 10* of turn and it gets very unstable.
I see to remember the one I have the whole steee axle turns though.
 
the wheelbarrow wheel in the middle usually does pretty good being dragged around in the ****, the only problem I have wiwth them is the handles are too short so I hit my feet on the dame thing while dragging it, and them being short means you're lifting a lot greater proportion of the machine than is riding on the wheel

been meaning to make up some extendo handles for it, haven't done it yet.
 
Like most of my projects, this thing hasn’t changed since I put it together. :homer:

Might revisit it later in the year when I need it. Or, it might just get used the way it is.
 
Aggie06 said:
Like most of my projects, this thing hasn’t changed since I put it together. :homer:

Might revisit it later in the year when I need it. Or, it might just get used the way it is.
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who are you kidding, 20 years from now it'll still be "temporary, I'll change it later". :lmao:
 
dnsfailure said:
who are you kidding, 20 years from now it'll still be "temporary, I'll change it later". :lmao:
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I have other poorly planned, but quickly needed projects that will get my attention first. :flipoff2:

Looking back at the pictures, I’ve changed trailers before working on this anymore. :lmao:
 
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