How often should I perform maintenance on my equipment?
As a rule of thumb, we suggest following the manufacturer's recommendations in your manuals. After that, it would be a good idea to evaluate the conditions at your facility and your compressed air utilization, then make adjustments as you see fit. (For example, the manufacturer might suggest an air filter change every 1000 hours. But if you know that your facility's ambient air is full of dust, you might want to change the filter out more often.)
Do I need to use OEM parts and lubricant on my compressors?
Most air compressor manufacturers require that you use their filters and lubricants as a condition of both the warranty and extended warranty. If the manufacturer's warranty is important to your facility, I would suggest following their guidelines to the letter. After the warranty period, however, you might consider evaluating aftermarket options. There is no shortage of aftermarket parts and and lubricants, but be aware that the quality can vary significantly.
What is the best brand of air compressor?
All brands can be good, depending on the application. Some are more reliable, whereas others are more efficient. Some are better at handling part-load demand. Some are less expensive to maintain, while some are less expensive to purchase. We would suggest a conversation between the purchaser and someone that is not tied to a specific brand of compressors to determine the best fit for their application.
Do I need to have a manufacturer's representative service my compressor to maintain my warranty?
No. The manufacturer will evaluate a potential warranty claim based on manufacturer defect. That being said, if some aspect of the service is deemed a contributing factor, the manufacturer might adjust or deny the warranty offering accordingly. It is important to note that the manufacturer has full discretion as to what's considered "warranty" and what is not. It can be helpful to have a conversation that sets clear expectations about this up front.
