For a farm workshop where one or two people repair the machinery, a tank-mounted piston compressor of around 0.9 m³/min, such as the E 75, covers the impact wrench, the grinder, the blow gun and the grease pump. The E 110 takes over when two people use heavy tools at the same time. If the air runs for several hours in a row, move to a screw compressor.
Our page on the compressor for agriculture covers air use across the whole farm. Here we focus on the workshop: the place where machines are stripped, ground, greased and blown out between two jobs.
The calculation, step by step
Start from the tools you really use in the workshop and the number of people working at the same time. Typical consumption figures, for guidance only, to check against each tool's manual:
- Blow gun: around 150 l/min.
- Air grease pump: around 150 l/min.
- 1/2" impact wrench: around 300 l/min.
- 1" impact wrench for tractor wheels: around 600 l/min.
- Air grinder: around 450 l/min.
These tools work in bursts. Like our configurator, we count them at 50%: the tank supplies the peaks. Only the hungriest tools are counted, one per person at work, then a 25% margin is added.
One person on their own.
- Hungriest tool, the 1" impact wrench: 600 l/min counted at 50% = 300 l/min.
- With the margin: 300 × 1.25 = 375 l/min.
Two people at the same time.
- 1" impact wrench: 300 l/min.
- Grinder: 450 l/min counted at 50% = 225 l/min.
- Total: 525 l/min. With the margin: about 660 l/min.
Which compressor to choose?
- A farm workshop with one or two people: the E 75. Three-cylinder piston compressor, 0.9 m³/min, 180 L tank, 8 or 12.5 bar. It covers both cases above and rests between two repairs.
- Heavy tools at two stations, or a workshop shared by several farms: the E 110. 1.6 m³/min, 320 L tank. The larger tank keeps a reserve when the 1" impact wrench and the grinder run together.
- Air used for a large part of the day: the S 55. 5.5 kW screw compressor, 0.6 m³/min at 8 bar, built to run for long periods without a break. It comes without a tank: add an air receiver and a dryer. For more continuous flow, see the S series.
A piston compressor is designed for intermittent use. If you grind or sand for hours, for example to refurbish a trailer body, the work becomes continuous: count the tool at 100% and choose a screw compressor.
Pitfalls specific to a farm workshop
- Power supply. The E 75, the E 110 and the S 55 run on 380 V three-phase. Check what reaches the workshop before you choose: our article piston compressor, 220 V or 380 V explains how to find out.
- Dust and straw. The workshop often doubles as a machinery shed. Keep the compressor away from blowing areas, with its intake facing clean air, and check the intake filter more often than in a closed workshop.
- The hose out to the yard. Repairs often happen outside, in front of the door. A very long or narrow hose drops the pressure at the tool. A fixed pipe to an outlet by the door, then a short hose, works better. Our guide on connecting a compressor to the air network sets out the rules.
- Water in the tank. A piston compressor produces condensate. Drain the tank every day or fit an automatic condensate drain. Our article on water in compressed air explains draining.
- Separate uses. Large tyres and painting change the calculation. See our articles on inflating tractor tyres and on painting farm machinery.
Maintenance
Check the oil level, clean the intake filter and check the belt tension before the big seasonal jobs. Our article when to service a piston compressor gives the schedule.
For your workshop, enter your tools in the configurator, or send us the list with a quote request.
For your trade: Compressor for agriculture.