An engine driven air compressor is a highly efficient machine that uses fossil fuel to operate the motor pump. These powerful machines serve a variety of applications, especially in the agricultural and industrial fields.
In this article, we will discuss engine driven air compressors, including how they work, their applications, and where you can buy these heavy-duty machines.
What is engine driven air compressor?
Engine driven air compressors refer to motors that use gasoline or diesel to generate power for the compressor.
Most users of engine driven air compressors need these machines in industrial settings or remote locations. For example, some people need a diesel engine belt driven air compressor for their farm or a mobile car wash business.
Whether your engine driven air compressor uses gasoline or diesel, the final result is the same. It will pressurize atmospheric air and store it inside a tank. The energy needed to mediate this process is obtained from the combustion of fuel.
This is the key difference between engine driven air compressors and electric air compressors.
How does an engine driven air compressor work?
Engine driven air compressors come in all shapes and forms. However, they share the same mechanism of action. You will see that your air compressor consists of three main components:
An engine – It could use gasoline or diesel.
A motor pump – It pressurizes air.
An air compressor tank – This is where the pressurized air is stored.
The engine is responsible for transforming the potential energy stored in gasoline or diesel into kinetic energy. Thanks to a drivetrain, the motor pump receives this energy and starts compressing atmospheric air.
The final step involves storing the newly pressurized air within a tank. The size of the latter varies significantly from one engine belt driven air compressor to another.
Gasoline versus diesel air compressors
A gas air compressor works by a chemical reaction that burns gasoline to move the crankshaft. There are four phases in the cycle of the gas engine.
These phases are:
- Intake stroke
- Compression stroke
- Expansion stroke (i.e., power stroke)
- Exhaust stroke
When your air compressor is on, the four-stroke cycle will continue to burn gas and generate energy for the motor pump. The transfer of energy occurs thanks to the drivetrain.
To learn more about how gas air compressors work, click on this link.
A diesel engine driven air compressor uses the same four-stroke cycle. The major difference is relying on compressing diesel and air to ignite the mixture. Conversely, a gas air compressor requires a spark plug.
Diesel engine driven air compressors are reliable, durable, and serve a variety of applications. They offer a number of pneumatic tools and a larger capacity compared to petrol compressors. What’s more, diesel air compressors are more economical due to the price of diesel and the low-cost maintenance. This is why it’s a favorite choice for industrial use.
Petrol versus diesel air compressors – pros and cons
Depending on how you will use the engine belt-driven air compressor, you may find some of these characteristics appealing:
| Gasoline engine driven air compressors | Diesel engine driven air compressors |
| Suitable for agriculture and construction | Suitable for business owners |
| Ideal for occasional use | Ideal for continuous use |
| Produces louder noises | Produces quieter noises |
| Might be economical when energy consumption is monitored | Very economical despite the higher initial investment |
| Lower initial investment (cheaper to buy) | Low-cost maintenance |
The chart below demonstrates the connection between the engine and air compressors:
Reciprocating air compressors
A reciprocating air compressor uses a piston to pressurize the air. The piston reduces the volume within the cylinder, pressurizing the air that enters from the atmosphere. It is driven by a crankshaft that transforms energy from the main engine.
To make things easier to understand, let us break down the function of a reciprocating air compressor into four phases:
Phase one – The opening of the suction valve
During this phase, the piston moves downward and the suction valve opens, creating a vacuum within the cylinder. As a result, atmospheric air enters the cylinder. The suction valve then closes.
Phase two – Pressurizing the air
The next step revolves around moving the piston upward to pressurize the existing air. This is the most important step that produces high-pressure air. Because the piston moves from the bottom position to the top, it conducts a reciprocating motion, hence the name of this type of compressor.
Phase three – The opening of the discharge valve
Once the discharge valve opens up, the piston pushes the compressed air outside of the cylinder to a special pipe.
Phase four – The storage of the pressurized air
The pressurized air moves inside the tank to be stored for later use.
Rotary screw air compressors
Rotary screw air compressors are commonly used in various industries. They are reliable, versatile, and serve numerous applications. To compress the air, these machines use rotary movements. There are two types of rotors – male and female.
The shapes of these rotors are different. The male rotor consists of convex lobes, whereas female rotors contain concave cavities. The rotors will turn at high speed without touching one another, creating a pressurized environment.
Note that the male rotor turns faster than the female rotor, which contributes to the driving of the latter.
The valves of rotary screw air compressors only open to bring in atmospheric air and let out pressurized air. This is advantageous because the rotors can achieve high speeds without the risk of mechanical issues. As a result, engine driven air compressors that use rotary screws tend to generate a large flow rate, despite their compact design.
Here are the working steps of a rotary screw air compressor:
1- The rotary screws start turning at high speeds
2- Atmospheric air gets sucked into the compressor chamber where the male and female rotors are present
3- The air moves away from the opening of the chamber due to the movement of the rotors
4- The chamber gradually decreases in size, pressurizing the air
5- Pressurized air moves from the compressor chamber to the tank where it’s stored
Engine driven air compressor price
Engine driven air compressor price varies significantly from one manufacturer to another and from diesel to gasoline-powered engines.
In general, the price for gasoline air compressors starts at about $1,000 and can reach up to a few thousand dollars. The more powerful the engine and the larger the tank, the more expensive the air compressor.
Make sure to ask your local retailer for engine driven air compressors for sale. You might get a good deal compared to regular prices.
Diesel engine driven air compressors, on the other hand, are on the expensive end. The starting price for an average diesel air compressor is approximately $10,000. However, the price can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
Despite the hefty initial investment, a diesel air compressor can save you a lot of money in the long run, especially if you plan to use it extensively and for heavy-duty applications.
Best engine driven air compressor
1. NorthStar gasoline engine driven air compressor
This is the most impressive gasoline-driven air compressor able to generate 24.4 CFM at 90 PSI from the powerful engine of Honda.
The uses of this gas-powered engine include:
- Airbrushing
- Drilling
- Painting
- Nailing
2. Ingersoll-Rand gasoline engine driven air compressor
The Ingersoll Rand gas-powered air compressor is a portable and versatile machine that offers maximum efficiency and reliability. Its maneuverable wheelbarrow design makes it suitable for use in remote areas without a source of electricity.
This compressor is also powered by a Honda gas engine that’s capable of generating 5.5 horsepower. As a result, it ensures easy starting and consistent performance.
With twin 8-gallon tanks and two quick disconnect couplers, the compressor allows the use of multiple tools at the same time. The cast iron construction ensures a long pump life of over 5,000 trouble-free hours. Additionally, the pump uses a lubricant to increase efficiency, lasting four times longer than petroleum-based lubricants, with a service interval of 2,000 hours.
The compressor delivers up to 135 PSI of pressure, making it ideal for high-demanding applications. It has several safety features, such as:
- An automatic start/stop pressure switch control
- A belt guard
Finally, the high-efficiency finger valves are easy to operate and maintain.
Amazon Link3. Metabo HPT engine driven air compressor
The Metabo HPT gas-powered engine is a potent, heavy-duty machine that can generate 9.5 CFM at 90 PSI. The machine is powered by a robust Honda GX 160 gas engine that delivers reliable and top-tier performance.
The tank for this compressor hosts a whopping 9 gallons, allowing you to use the pressurized air for a long time. Additionally, the versatile options allow you to run 5 framing or 5 roofing at the same time.
Despite the relatively heavy weight of this air compressor (159 pounds), it is easily mobile thanks to the solid rubber tires. It can actually move around the roughest terrains.
You can use the Metabo HPT air compressor for:
- Framing
- Roofing
- Siding crew on large job sites
Engine driven air compressor kit
An engine drive air compressor kit contains all the necessary accessories to allow you to benefit the most from your pump. Whether you need to use the compressor at home or the shop, an engine driven air compressor kit is indispensable.
This kit should contain the following essential items:
- Nozzle attachments
- A quick connect plug
- Quick connect couplers
- A tire gauche
- A recoil air hose
- An air hose connection
To buy an engine driven air compressor kit online, click here.
Takeaway message
Engine driven air compressors are powerful machines that enable a variety of applications, especially in industrial or remote settings. Despite the negative effect these machines may have on the environment, many people argue that electric air compressors still cause carbon emissions (only indirectly).
We hope that this article helped you understand how an engine driven air compressor works and which type is more efficient.
If you have any questions about rotary screw or reciprocating air compressors, please feel free to share them in the comment section below.
