compressors

This is for any of you with a Rhino post driver.I know some of you guys use one.I was going to get an American IMF compressor to power it,but Ive never heard of American IMF.Have you guys.I was also wondering if Dewalt makes a good compressor.Also,I got a pretty good quote on my Rhino,but I was just wondering what you guys paid for yours.Thanks.

They require more air than the typical portable air compressor. Depending on the model, it could require a tow behind compressor. For jobs that require only a few posts you may want to do them the old fashioned way. FYI, I believe the model 140 uses up to 65CFM at 100PSI and the model 55 requires 40 plus CFM at 90 PSI. I have used both models listed and they work great with a properly sized compressor.

When your looking at compressors to buy you need to be aware of how the CFM is rated. It can be deceiving, blatant false advertising infact. I suggest you go to Eaton Compressor & Fabrication for a more detailed explanation of "Usable Air or Free Air" as opposed to "Displaced Air" as often advertised. Here's a link to their website page for a bare compressor pump, it has a good description of what I am referring to. I have no affiliation with the company but I do feel they have a great product. http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/518643/184117… The Rhino pneumatic driver requires a lot of cfm as Cormac has stated. Most heavy duty garage shop compressors would not have the capacity to run the thing. Your talking pull behind rental compressor type. There are small skid compressors out there too, they are thousands to buy also, but take up little space (approx. 3'X4') and have approx. 85 cfm usable air. Chris has recently posted the Striker brand driver and there is another low cfm pneumatic out there that Jpanz posted some time ago, I forget the name of it. The significance of it is it requires much less cfm to operate, it cost more initially to buy than Rhino but you can operate it on a small shop type compressor, the Striker you could operate off a El Cheapo pancake type $100.00 compressor @ 3.5cfm I think. A Rhino can be bought for under $1000.00 but you need a pull type compressor or similar 40+ cfm compressor to run it, then compressor investment or rental run around to get one to use the driver. I drive post stubs with a cap and sledge unless there are a bunch or the ground is frozen. Then I rent a Rhino for $25 per day, the compressor is $75 I think. If the Striker drives posts good enough it is the better smarter buy even though it is more money initially, $1300.00 If I read it correctly. But a decent construction compressor that you can pick up and carry will run the thing. You cannot buy a decent used pull type compressor for what the Striker and a name brand portable construction compressor would cost you. I have been in the market for one for 3 yrs. and I have not seen anything close to me that was worth the risk for under 2500.00. Just another opinion.

Ingersoll Rand makes good small compressors. I have two one one the sealcoat trailer and one in the striping trailer. Both have 5.5 hp Honda engines and put out 11.8 CFM at 90 psi with a maximum of 135 psi. TSC and Northeran Hydralics have them for around $750.00 I looked at the Dewalt but it did not put out as much air. If you use the Ingersoll Rand synthetic compressor oil they are quaranteed for continous use for 2 years.

Although the rhino calls for 42 cfm,I personally know a company who powers theirs with a 25 cfm gas powered ingersoll-rand.Sometimes it takes a minute to build up air,but in three years of use they have never had any trouble.I was wondering if 25cfm powered one,would a 20.If the only difference is waiting for the air to build up,thats still better than doing it by hand.The rhino is the only driver Ive ever used,but I know it will drive through asphalt,dirt or whatever.Thanks for the feedback guys.

I got a Eaton compressor for a great price and the thing works like they said it would. the few times I have had to call I usually get to talk to the owner. I have had a lot of compressors and theirs is the best yet. I got a 18 h.p 40 cfm the last time. Besides Graco paint equipment Eaton compressors have give me the best service period. Just my 2 cents worth...