Doosan air compressor.

Traditionally, the two most important variables in air compressor selection are volume and pressure. While these factors remain the starting point, there are many considerations on the pathway to finding the right air compressor. The following three questions are a shortcut to what you need to know to help your customers identify the best air compressor for a job.

1. What is your common fuel type?

While diesel air compressors remain the mainstay for general contracting needs, gasoline- and electric-powered air compressors offer fuel efficiency along with comparable portability and power.

Contractors with equipment that uses gasoline, such as landscaping contractors, may find a gasoline-powered air compressor a nice fit for their existing fuel source. Gasoline-powered air compressors also offer greater cold-start capability than their diesel counterparts, making them a popular choice for contractors in colder climates.

Electric-powered air compressors offer ultra-quiet, emissions-free, low-cost flexibility. Contractors with access to grid power or those with a generator already on site will find the electric-powered VP900e air compressor to be an economical alternative to diesel and gasoline-powered air compressors. It's also a popular alternative for highly regulated jobsites because there is no risk of a fuel spill.

2. Does the application involve any unique needs?

Understanding any unique needs of your customers' jobsites can have a significant impact on air compressor selection. For example, applications near waterways and those with a finished product, such as steel painting, typically require oil-free air. A Doosan Portable Power IQ System® air compressor provides instrument-quality air with no oil, dust, dirt or condensate waste, preventing contaminates from entering waterways or ruining paint finishes with unwanted color or odor.

Additionally, if an air compressor will be used for more than one type of application on a jobsite, dual pressure/dual flow air compressors deliver the pressure and flow options typical of two units in a single air compressor, allowing the operator to change from a low-pressure to a high-pressure setting with one machine. The added versatility and productivity lowers costs and adds value to any jobsite.

3. Are there regulations you must meet at the job site?

Jobsite regulations — noise restrictions, fluid containment, Tier 4 emissions — can limit air compressor selection for your customers. Being able to provide the right model for their needs can position you as a valuable resource. Matching standard features and the most available options in the market can make air compressor selection an easier process for your customers.

For more information, visit http://www.doosanportablepower.com

Today's top stories

Growing Interest in Construction Careers Among Younger People Means Jobs Filled, Deadlines Met

Larry Young Paving Tackles Grade-Separated Interchange in Texas

Caltrans, Crews Working to Repair Highway Landslides

FIRSTGREEN Industries Launches ROCKEAT Electric Skid Steer Loader

'Tiltrotator Effect' Increases as Energy Consumption Goes Down

VIDEO: Birmingham, Ala., Awarded $14.5M Fed Grant to Revitalize Its 'Black Main Street'

Pettibone Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Cary-Lift

Fay Preps Way for Pittsburgh International Airport Modernization Project