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  1. Compact Equipment Magazine
  2. Compressors

Compressors

Portable Air Compressors for Compact Jobsites: Sizing, Specs, Power Options and Real-World Tips

Portable, trailered compressors are jobsite force multipliers — powering breakers, trenchers, sandblasting, irrigation blowouts and more. On Compact Equipment, our compressors hub covers the full spectrum: how to size units by cfm/psi, when to step up to multi-pressure machines and what to spec for transport, safety and uptime. We break down popular classes (185–250 cfm staples, 400-class workhorses and 650–1,600 cfm big air) and explain how hose length, fittings and air treatment (aftercoolers, filters, dryers) impact pressure at the tool.

You’ll find buyer’s guides and rental primers that compare diesel to electric portables — from quiet, emissions-free corded units for plants and indoor work to advanced controllers that widen usable pressure/flow ranges. Because placement and handling matter, we cover towing, brake hookups, lift eyes, site surcharges near trenches and best practices for safe setup. Maintenance features prominently, with seasonal checklists for fuel, oils and lubricants, heater elements, batteries, belts and coolers — plus cold-start aids and storage tips. Rounding it out are new-model spotlights (multi-pressure diesel units, high-output 400-class electrics, even battery-driven portables) and practical operator advice from OEM experts. Whether you manage a rental fleet or just need reliable air for a weekend project, our coverage helps you choose, configure and care for the right compressor — and keep productive air on tap. Some examples of portable air compressors we cover include:

Sullair Diesel Portable Air Compressors | Kaeser Portable Compressors | VMAC Air Compressors and Multipower Systems

Famed Compressor Brand Sullair Changes Name to Hitachi Global Air Power
CE Staff
April 17, 2023
Read Article
Compressors
Sullair Announces E1035H Electric Portable Compressor
March 27, 2023
Compressors
Doosan Portable Power and Forklifts to Transition Under the Bobcat Brand
March 9, 2023
Compressors Atlas Copco E-Air VSD compressor
Portable Air Compressor Showcase + Tips for Purchase, Maintenance and Safety
February 21, 2023
Compressors Sullair
The 5 Biggest Trends for Portable Air Compressors in 2023
February 13, 2023
Compressors
Kaeser’s Mobilair M250E and M255E Electric Compressors Now Come in Weatherproof Skid-Mounted Packages

Kaeser’s new Mobilair M250E/M255E fully electric compressors are designed for outdoor operation without the need for additional weathe...

February 8, 2023
Compressors Doosan portable power compressor
Compressor Care: 7 Maintenance Tips for Preparing Your Air Compressor for Winter Work

Portable air compressors are designed to be very rugged, productive machines that work hard in various environments and climates. But for a ...

February 6, 2023
Compressors Atlas Copco air compressor
Important Tips for Safely Operating a Portable Air Compressor

There’s a science to the safe operation of air compressors — some physics, some chemistry — and a basic understanding of t...

January 30, 2023
Compressors
Sullair to Donate Heart-of-Gold 185 Series Portable Air Compressor to Benefit ARA Foundation, American Heart Association

Sullair, an industry leader in innovative compressed air solutions since 1965, announced it will donate a gold-colored 185 Series Tier 4 Fin...

January 26, 2023
Compressors
Kaeser’s Compressor for a Cure Raises Over $20,000

Kaeser Compressors Inc.’s Compressor for a Cure has raised over $20,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. While many com...

November 22, 2022
Compressors
Chicago Pneumatic Unveils CPS 185 Air Compressor, Designed and Assembled in Rock Hill, S.C.

Chicago Pneumatic and Power Technique North America is going back to its roots with an air compressor designed for the toughest applications...

September 13, 2022
Compressors
Wowsers: Kaeser Compressors Marks a Full Year of Operations Using Only Green Energy

In an ongoing commitment to minimize environmental impacts, Kaeser is manufacturing with 100 percent green energy and matching its consumpti...

June 22, 2022
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