5 Crucial Things to Know About Compressor Service

By Heath Brabazon, President | Published: July 2024

As an industrial manufacturer, you understand the importance of keeping your equipment running smoothly and efficiently. Your bottom line is directly tied to the uptime of your equipment, and any downtime can lead to lost revenue. That's why regular servicing and maintenance of your air compressor is so crucial. Brabazon has the answers to everything you need to know about compressor service, repair, and monitoring.

Regular Servicing

Regular Servicing Is Key To Keeping Your Compressor Running Properly

One of the most crucial things to know about your air compressor is that regular servicing is key to keeping it running properly. A well-maintained compressor is less likely to break down and more likely to last longer than a poorly maintained one. In addition, regular servicing can help identify issues before they become necessary repairs or lead to equipment outages. By investing in regular compressor service, you can save money in the long run and avoid those costly downtimes that negatively impact production.

Qualified Repair Technicians Are Essential For Air Compressor Repair Services

When it comes to compressor repair, you need to work with highly qualified technicians who are familiar with all major types of air compressors. At Brabazon, our technicians are trained and experienced, ensuring that they can diagnose and fix issues efficiently and effectively. We also ensure that our technicians are up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies, so you can be confident that your equipment is in good hands.

Remote Monitoring Can Help Identify Issues Before They Become Costly Repairs

Air compressor issues can happen at any time, which is why remote monitoring is becoming increasingly popular among manufacturers. At Brabazon, we offer a 24/7 remote monitoring option called AirCare Plus™ Planned Maintenance. This service helps us catch issues in your equipment before they turn into bigger problems, avoiding costly repairs or downtime. With remote monitoring, you can be confident that your equipment is always being monitored and issues are being addressed promptly.

Emergency Repair Services Are Essential

When an air compressor breaks down, you need to have a repair service on hand that can respond quickly and efficiently. At Brabazon, we offer emergency repair services from our highly qualified technicians. Failure of industrial equipment can quickly lead to steep productivity losses, which is why we offer fast and reliable emergency repair services to get your equipment back up and running as quickly as possible.

Rental Options Are A Great Solution for Equipment Downtime

When your equipment needs to be repaired, downtime can be expensive. The importance of avoiding costly downtime is why rental options are a great solution for manufacturers who need to keep their equipment running smoothly. At Brabazon, we offer industrial compressor rentals to ensure that you have the equipment you need to keep your operations running while your equipment is being repaired.

What's Included in a Brabazon Compressor Service Visit?

A compressor service visit from Brabazon is more than an oil change. Our certified technicians perform a comprehensive evaluation of your entire compressed air system during every scheduled maintenance visit. Here's what a standard AirCare Plus™ service call includes for a Sullair rotary screw compressor:

Oil and filter change — Using genuine Sullair fluid and filters to maintain warranty compliance and optimal performance
Air/oil separator inspection and replacement (as needed) — A deteriorated separator increases oil carryover and reduces system efficiency
Inlet valve inspection — Verifying proper seating and actuation for efficient load/unload cycling
Minimum pressure/check valve inspection — Critical for maintaining proper sump pressure and preventing oil backflow
Cooling system inspection — Cleaning oil cooler and aftercooler as needed, verifying fan operation and thermostat bypass valve function
Vibration monitoring — Detecting early signs of bearing wear, coupling issues, or drive component degradation before they cause catastrophic failure
Lubricant analysis — Testing oil for contamination, degradation, and metal particles that indicate internal component wear
100-point inspection checklist — Covering all major systems and components with documented condition ratings
Control settings verification — Ensuring pressure setpoints, temperature limits, and shutdown parameters are properly configured for your application

The Cost of Skipping Compressor Service

Unplanned compressor downtime costs Midwest industrial facilities an average of $2,000–$10,000 per hour in lost production, depending on the operation. A single airend failure — which is often the result of neglected maintenance — can cost $15,000–$50,000 to repair or replace. Compare this to the cost of an annual service contract, and the ROI of preventive maintenance is undeniable. Brabazon's AirCare Plus™ program is specifically designed to prevent the most common and costly compressor failures.

Contact Brabazon Today

Compressor Service FAQ

How often should a rotary screw compressor be serviced?
Service intervals vary by operating conditions, but a standard schedule for a Sullair rotary screw compressor includes: oil and filter change every 2,000 hours (or annually, whichever comes first), air/oil separator replacement every 4,000–8,000 hours, and a full major inspection every 16,000–20,000 hours. Higher temperature or dusty environments require more frequent service. Brabazon's AirCare Plus™ program manages these intervals automatically.

Can Brabazon service brands other than Sullair?
Yes. Brabazon's technicians are trained on all major air compressor brands including Atlas Copco, Ingersoll Rand, Quincy, Kaishan, and others. Our annual certification program ensures our team stays current on the latest models and service procedures from all manufacturers we service across the Midwest.

What is the difference between a service contract and reactive maintenance?
Reactive maintenance (calling for service only when something breaks) almost always costs more than a service contract over a multi-year period. Service contracts provide predictable costs, ensure maintenance is performed at the right intervals, and catch developing problems before they become expensive failures. Brabazon's AirCare Plus™ includes a fixed quarterly payment structure, 100-point inspections, lubricant analysis, vibration monitoring, and 24/7 remote monitoring.

What is remote monitoring and why do I need it?
Remote monitoring allows Brabazon's technicians to observe your compressor's real-time operating parameters — pressure, temperature, amperage, run hours, fault codes — from our service centers. This means we often know about a developing problem before you do, and we can dispatch a technician proactively rather than waiting for a failure and emergency call. 24/7 remote monitoring is included in the AirCare Plus™ plan.