Atlas Copco's portable air compressors extend the life of South African agricultural equipment
May 15, 2025
Smart farming is underpinned by minimised input costs and maximised yields, which can be achieved through adopting simple practices, such as regular cleaning of agricultural equipment. In South Africa, crop farmers are effectively using Atlas Copco’s rugged, compact and versatile U190 PACE compressors for the maintenance of their agricultural equipment.
Atlas Copco's portable U190 utility air compressor is used for cleaning agricultural equipment
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.
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
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.