An Atlas Copco XAS 750 JD7 T4a Tier IV rotary screw air compressor rolled into Flint Equipment Company’s Grovetown, Ga., branch on Sept. 20, when Atlas Copco representatives and Flint Equipment Company came together for a full day’s training session on the new John Deere Tier IV technology built into the portable air compressor unit.
The unit is completely John Deere powered. Since Flint Equipment’s sister company Flint Power Systems of Albany, Ga., is the John Deere engine distributor for the southeast, it was important for Atlas Copco to provide a comprehensive training program for Flint Equipment Company sales and support representatives. Class time for the unit was conducted by Atlas Copco representatives, and concluded with a full walkaround of the machine by project engineer Tim Griffin.
“With the support capabilities and knowledge already obtained with products in the field with this same engine and emission technology, this is a great opportunity for us to put this unit into the hands of an experienced dealer like Flint Equipment. It makes our job a whole lot easier since they already have comprehensive knowledge and experience with the John Deere power source,” noted Atlas Copco Regional Manager Mike Shannon.
The training program unit was a production prototype loaner for field testing. One of the first off the product line, it had previously been on display at ConExpo 2011 in Las Vegas.
Trying it Out
Once it had been completely presented and demonstrated to the Flint Equipment staff, it was delivered to Augusta Asphalt LLC, in Grovetown, Ga., for Atlas Copco and Flint Equipment representatives to monitor its performance and provide engineering staff a detailed evaluation after it had logged substantial hours running at the plant.
Highlights of the compressor’s design and operation include:
• Meets Tier IVa emission standards that came into force in January 2011, mandating reductions of at least 90 percent of particulates and 50 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions over previously permitted levels
• Generates 750 cfm of air at 100 psi
• Features a John Deere 200 hp (149 kW) electrically controlled, water-cooled diesel engine with a 78 gal. (295 L) fuel tank
• Provides fuel consumption of 8.2 gal. (31 L) per hour at 100 percent load
Augusta Asphalt began testing the prototype after Flint Equipment’s salesman Tommy Wilson called them and asked if they would like to try the equipment. It was a natural fit, given Danny Bonnell, one of Augusta Asphalt’s owners, had looked at the compressor at ConExpo in Las Vegas.
“They needed to run one in a harsh environment, and that’s how we become involved,” Augusta Asphalt Plant Manager Todd Wyrosdick said. “We ran the compressor for about two weeks on the average of 8 to 12 hours a day. We used it to run the entire plant, the bag house, all of the batchers on the plant and the gate valves. Everything we use is air operated from a stationary compressor unit, and the Atlas-Copco unit replaced it for testing purposes.”
“The machine was well received by Augusta Asphalt and they appreciated it,” recalled Alex McGee, Flint Equipment’s branch manager of Grovetown and Braselton, Ga. “However, it performed over capacity for their purposes and has now been moved to the Center for Disease Control site in Atlanta.”
Augusta Asphalt was more than happy with the unit’s performance.
“The unit did a great job,” Wyrosdick confirmed, adding “if anyone needs air in large volume this compressor does a wonderful job and would be highly recommended.”
About the Companies
Augusta Asphalt LLC, specializes in hot and cold mix asphalt and associated equipment ranging from push brooms and joint paper to spray wands and crack filler. The company also serves as a distributor for Neyra Industries sealcoating products.
Flint Equipment Company distributes John Deere equipment to clients in the forestry, construction, mining, utility and compaction industries.
They also represent Dynapac, Euclid, Hitachi, Euclid, and NorRam products and Eager Beaver Trailers. CEG
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