Compressed Air

Alamo Equipment carries Atlas and FS Curtis compressed air products — two of the most established commercial compressor brands in North America. The compressed air collection covers 181 products including rotary screw and reciprocating piston air compressors from 5 to 30 HP, refrigerated and desiccant air dryers, coalescing filters, oil-water separators, aftercoolers, and air distribution accessories for complete system builds.

Rotary screw compressors compress air continuously using intermeshing rotors — designed for 100 percent duty cycles, high CFM output, and quiet operation suitable for shop environments. Reciprocating piston compressors use pistons and are designed for intermittent 50 to 75 percent duty cycles at lower initial cost. Rotary screws are preferred for shops needing constant air supply; piston compressors suit lower-demand applications.

Yes. Alamo Equipment provides compressed air system design consultation for automotive shops and industrial facilities — helping size the compressor, select the appropriate treatment train, design distribution piping layout, and specify system components for your specific application. Contact us with your facility size, tool inventory, and operating schedule for a complete system recommendation.

A basic shop air treatment setup includes an aftercooler immediately after the compressor to cool discharge air, a refrigerated air dryer to remove moisture to a 38 degree F dew point, a coalescing filter to remove oil aerosols, and automatic drains at low points in the system. Spray painting and precision applications may require additional desiccant drying beyond the refrigerated dryer.

A 2 to 3 bay shop running impact wrenches, air ratchets, and tire service typically needs a 10 to 15 HP compressor with an 80 to 120 gallon receiver and 35 to 50 CFM output. High-volume shops with 4 or more bays benefit from a 20 to 30 HP rotary screw with 240 gallon or larger receiver. Alamo Equipment can help right-size the system for your actual service bay count and tool inventory.

Single-phase compressors run on 115V or 230V power available in residential and small commercial buildings. Three-phase compressors run on 208V, 230V, or 460V power available in commercial and industrial facilities, operating more efficiently and with lower motor stress especially above 5 HP. If your facility has three-phase power, a three-phase compressor is the preferred choice above 5 HP for longevity and operating cost.

CFM is cubic feet per minute — the volume of air a compressor delivers at rated pressure. Total the CFM requirements of all air tools and equipment you may operate simultaneously. Add 25 percent headroom for demand spikes. Common CFM demands: impact wrench 4 to 8 CFM, air ratchet 4 to 6 CFM, spray paint gun 10 to 25 CFM, tire inflator 1 to 5 CFM. Alamo Equipment can perform a full load calculation for your shop.

Key compressor maintenance steps include: change oil and filters at manufacturer-specified intervals, drain receiver tank condensate daily or use automatic drains, inspect and replace belts on belt-drive models, check inlet air filter monthly and replace when dirty, verify safety valve operation annually, and monitor for unusual operating temperature, pressure, or noise. Alamo Equipment can assist with service planning and parts supply.