Farmlands are notoriously tough environments where the ingress of contaminants such as mud, dust, stones and plant material can potentially cause damage to equipment components. Intakes and air coolers in diesel machines clogged with dust accumulation can overheat, creating a fire hazard for both equipment and crops as well as posing a safety risk to workers. Neglecting to clean equipment may also result in insurance companies rejecting claims for fire-related damage if it's proven that the equipment wasn't properly maintained. 

Compact and lightweight
Atlas Copco's portable U190 PACE air compressor was the strategic choice for equipment maintenance on two farms located in the Bethlehem district of the Free State province in South Africa. "Both customers have praised their Atlas Copco air compressors for exceptional effectiveness, ease of use and especially their manoeuvrability", says Chantal Jonker, Operational Manager JR Compressors & Industrial Supplies (Pty) Ltd.

Jonker explains that owing to the portable air compressor's compact design and lightweight construction, farmers can easily transport the machine to the desired location for equipment cleaning tasks, either by mounting it on a trailer, loading it onto a light delivery vehicle or using a forklift on-site.  

The South African crop farms are cleaning their equipment daily, and depending on the crop being harvested, sometimes twice a day. Maize and sunflower dust for example, is highly flammable and can easily block radiators, coolers and air intakes. With crop fields often spanning over 5,000 hectares and located far from the farmer's workshop, transporting large equipment for cleaning can be costly in terms of diesel consumption, as well as labour- and time-intensive. Therefore, it is much more practical to transport the utility air compressor directly to the fields and equipment for cleaning. Moreover, the robustly designed portable air compressor effortlessly negotiates the rough, uneven agricultural terrain.

Efficient cleaning of agricultural equipment
The portable U190 PACE air compressors optimize the cleaning process of agricultural equipment such as tractors, harvesters, balers, rakers, tedders and other crop machinery, enhancing their longevity and reducing the risk of costly damage, fire-related losses and safety hazards. In addition to extending the lifespan of the agricultural equipment, routine cleaning contributes to lowering the total operational and ownership costs, and prevents fire hazards that can be caused by dust accumulation during harvest.

PACE technology for optimized performance
The crop farmers connect a 30-meter hose to the outlet of the portable utility air compressor, along with a blower pipe. This setup allows them to get close to the surface and effectively blow out any dust accumulation and build-up.

Featuring cutting-edge PACE technology, the utility air compressor delivers an adjustable pressure band, offering exceptional versatility. Beyond cleaning agricultural equipment, the farmers can also use the machine for various other tasks such as pumping tires, operating pneumatic hand tools, and sandblasting.

Investing in the safety of farming
The portable U190 PACE air compressors add significant value for the South African crop farmers by enhancing efficiency, prolonging equipment life and safeguarding against costly damage and fire risks. The machine's ability to streamline a host of tasks makes this reliable and versatile workhorse an indispensable asset on their farms.