Rotary Screw compressor oil change, changing the oil in a rotary screw air compressor

CURTIS ROTARY SCREW AIR COMPRESSORS

Why Should You Service The Oil In Your Rotary Screw Air Compressor?

Every manufacture in the world of rotary screw compressors will have specific guidelines and maintenance schedules for your rotary screw air compressor.  Please follow these guidelines as it will save you a great deal of money in the long run.  Rotary Screw Air Compressors are not cheap; consequently you should always put the right oil (and the correct amount) into the machine as prescribed by the manufacturer.  If you have any questions, you can always visit FSCURTIS at: www.fscurtis.com and download the brochures and technical data for your machine. 

 

When do you change the oil?

A critical factor to the life expectancy/ longevity is compressor run time.  Most of the manufacturers will tell you that the rotary screw air compressor is designed to run 24/7 365 days a year but in reality they run anywhere from 5-8 hours per day.  If you do the math:

 

There are 8,760 hours in one year

 

Operating your machine 8 hours per day =2,920 hours.

 

Operating your machine 6 hours per day =2,190 hours.

Important to note, basic service and maintenance items need to be performed in order to keep your warranty and keep the compressor in good shape.  Your maintenance book will give you the required intervals along with the necessary tasks that need to be performed at specific run time.  The preventative maintenance programs are designed for standard conditions, but most compressors are typically installed in dirty or dusty environments.

Here are the factors to consider to properly maintain your rotary screw air compressor to ensure a long, long life....

 

1)   The Environment

If your compressor is running in a dirty environment where you have to keep cleaning the coolers externally to keep the compressor cool and the air filter is continually dirty when you inspect it periodically; then you have a dirty environment.

 

 

2) Hours of operation

 

(between 2,000 - 4,000 hours per year)

Follow your user manual.
Use monthly intervals for filter changes and not the hours of operation as your guide. This means air and oil filters changed every quarter (or more frequently) as well as air/oil separators changed per instruction manual. Please note if you are running 24 hrs / 7 days then air and oil filters will need to be changed in accordance with OEM recommendations.

3) Costs

Preventative maintenance saves money. A proper preventative maintenance program will translate into more reliable operation and less down time. This will create a more efficient production process for you = more income on a consistent basis.

In all other instances the OEM manual should be used as a guideline for changing all filters for the proper maintenance your rotary screw compressor.

 

FSCURTIS provides an Operators Manual with specific guidelines for preventative maintenance. Some compressor designs may require more steps and checks, but here is a good place to start to get the longest life out of your FSCURTIS Rotary Screw Air Compressor.

Daily:   Check for unusual sounds, vibration, leaks, warnings or alarms on the controller, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

• Check oil level
• Monitor temperature and pressure
• Check control panel for any alarms or maintenance lights

Monthly: Perform Daily checks

• Clean inlet air filter and enclosure filters.
• Check operation (load and unload, low and high pressure set-points, maintaining pressure, etc)

Quarterly: Check hour meter and check the maintenance schedule to determine if its time for maintenance to be scheduled. Your compressor may require lubrication change at 2,000, 4,000 or 8,000 hours depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Take oil sample if needed
• Check separator scavenger line flow (if applicable)
• Check v-belts (if applicable)
• Perform daily and monthly checks

Semi-Annual or 4000 hours:  Perform Quarterly Check list.

• Change air/oil separator filters (spin on or drop in type)
• Take oil sample and sent to compressor vendor

Annual or 8000 hours: Start by checking annual maintenance list for manufacturer’s recommendations:

• Change lubricant
• Change air / oil separator (drop in type)
• Perform quarterly checks

The average list price for the NXB15 20 HP ROTARY COMPRESSOR?

$13,404 LIST PRICE FOR NXB15 20 HP TANK MOUNTED

OUR PRICE: $10,723.