How to Install a 60g Compressor?

9973720wb19 · Mar 12, 2011

I've got a IR 60 gallon vertical compressor coming. I was wondering how many of you guys actually bolt it to the concrete floor in your shop. I really don't want to be drilling in the floor, so I was thinking about bolting it to a wooden platform instead? Or can I just stand it up and it will be fine?

moship · Mar 12, 2011

No matter what you do consider checking access to the bottom drain. The space is limited and on the one for my brothers shop we added an elbow, pipe nipple and ball valve to make tank draining a bit easier. It also required using blocks of wood to increase clearance between tank and floor.

Bolted to floor, but not certain it needs to be.

Tnbilly · Mar 12, 2011

Actually I wouldn't think of Not bolting it down. I 'spose you could train it to dance :laughing:

Western · Mar 12, 2011

I have 2 IR 80 gal, both still sit on their shipping pallet.
I have never had one move even an 1/8 inch, you are supposed to bolt them down per the book. I suppose if you had a compressor that bucked like a jackhammer you would sure want to bolt it.

As moship said, plumb the drain pipe out no matter what you do.

QRTRHRS · Mar 12, 2011

I have seen comments where the owner bolted them to a pallet apparently with no issues. A proper install when bolted to the floor is to use an isolation block between the floor and the compressor to minimize stress from vibration where the legs are welded to the tank.

Isolators look like a piece of rubber about 3/4 or 1.0'' thick by maybe 4x6 inches. It's been some time but I had ordered some from Campbell Hausfield at a reasonable cost.

Western · Mar 12, 2011

QRTRHRS said:
I have seen comments where the owner bolted them to a pallet apparently with no issues. A proper install when bolted to the floor is to use an isolation block between the floor and the compressor to minimize stress from vibration where the legs are welded to the tank.

Isolators look like a piece of rubber about 3/4 or 1.0'' thick by maybe 4x6 inches. It's been some time but I had ordered some from Campbell Hausfield at a reasonable cost.

I have seen cut tire treads used for this too.

Code54 · Mar 12, 2011

I just sat mine on the floor with some old conveyor belt between the concrete and the legs of the compressor. Been that way for close to 8 years and still working fine, never moves

Bird · Mar 12, 2011

When I bought a 60 gallon compressor the salesman specifically said to leave it on the shipping pallet. I did and it never moved at all. Personally, I'd not bolt one to the floor.

George2615 · Mar 12, 2011

My 80 gallon compressor came on a shipping pallet. It also came with hard rubber pads to set it on if I want to bolt it to the floor. I left it sitting on the pallet.
My previous 60 gallon compressor also sat on its shipping pallet for over 30 years.
I did have to rebuild the shipping pallet my newest one came on to a smaller size. The pallet was roughly 3' x 4'. I rebuilt it using the same wood to a smaller square size and bolted the 3 legs to the wood. It hasn't moved and is high enough for easy access to the drain valves.