Compressors are an essential piece of equipment when it comes to running a pneumatic equipment operation, and there are two types to consider – the Reciprocating Compressor and the Rotary Screw Compressor.

Advantages of the Reciprocating Compressors  

• Most Common
  Most commonly purchased so there are plenty of mechanics trained to work on
• Good Price Point
  Lower purchase price

Disadvantages of the Reciprocating Compressor

• Life Span
  Shorter life span because pistons, rings, and crank bearings tend to wear out quickly
• Takes Up Space
  Require a storage tank which takes up more space
• Duty Rating
  Duty rating is 50% which means it can only make 50% of the air volume and pressure required at any given time
• Storage Tank
  Storage tank is required to absorb the lack of volume because of the pulse of piston compressed air

Advantages of the Rotary Screw Compressor

• No Storage Tank
  100% duty which means it can run under a load continually and produce the volume needed without a storage tank
• Takes Up Less Space
  Smaller space requirements thanks to the compact cabinet size and lack of tank
• Won’t Wear & Tear as Quickly
  Designed so the oil seals the internal rotors preventing wear and tear
• Air Volume
  Its ability to make steady, even air volume and pressure eliminated the pulse of the Reciprocating design with no storage tank

Disadvantages of the Rotary Screw Compressor

• Price Point
  Cost is higher than the Reciprocating Compressor

I guess it is pretty apparent which compressor Tri-State Laundry Equipment Co. prefers.  As with most purchases, you get what you pay for, and the Reciprocating Compressor versus Rotary Screw Compressor is no exception.  If you are debating which one to choose for your pneumatic operation, let us help you evaluate your options.  Simply contact us at 866-885-5218 or check out this link to Atlas Copco Compressors.

At Tri-State Laundry Equipment, we take pride in our expansive inventory of dry cleaning and laundry parts, and as a result, most of our daily parts  requests are quickly resolved.  But on occasion, we will have a customer call looking for something that is so unusual or uncommon that even we don’t have it in stock.  These folks call on us because not only does Tri-State have an expansive parts inventory, they also know that Tri-State has cultivated long-lasting relationships with other distributors across the nation.  As a result, we use this network of companies and people with countless years of experience to locate these hard-to-find parts.

Not only do our customers rely on us to find hard-to-find parts, equipment manufacturers that we represent have their customers call on us for replacement parts on equipment where parts may no longer be available from the manufacturer. They know of our vast connections and fabricating capabilities.

When a Part  is Unobtainable

Even though we have a high success rate tracking down hard-to-find parts, there are times, however, when the part is simply unobtainable.  When this is the case, we break it down into two options.  First, we attempt to professionally fabricate a replacement part, which has been successful on numerous occasions.  Second, as a last resort, we will walk the customer through the process of purchasing new equipment.

If you have a need for a hard-to-find part, give Tri-State a call at 866-885-5218 or contact us online; we will do everything in our power to track it down.

All steam boilers, including our favorite brand Parker Boiler, require a daily blow down regiment to remove solids and sludge within both the boiler and water column.  Every brand and model have their preferred process, so be sure to consult with your representative or the manual before beginning.  But the one thing they all have in common is proper piping.

Proper Boiler  piping is incredibly important for safety and operational purposes, but it is also regulated by both state and federal code. 

Important Regulation Regarding Piping:

• The piping for all blowdown lines should only be assembled with Schedule 80 pipe and fittings.
• The blowdown piping cannot be reduced in size any smaller than the boiler’s blowdown tapping.
• The valves must be sized to ASME Code, with two slow opening or one slow opening and one fast opening installed in series.
• Regulations allow for piping two blow down lines from the same boiler if equipped to one main blowdown line as long as the pre-mentioned valves and installed in both tapings.
• The code also requires a drain valve in the lowest point of the piping to provide a way to fully drain the boiler of water.
• The blowdown piping should be piped into a blowdown separator or blowdown tank that separates the water to the sewer and the steam out of an exhaust pipe directed in a direction, preferably through the roof pointing to the sky.

Finally, consider these things when buying a blowdown separator or tank.  What is the local code for the maximum temperature of water discharged into the sewer system?  Will the inspector require a city water injection into your blowdown separator for cooling the water before entering the system?  Keep in mind that some tanks hold water from the previous blowdown to cool, so the city water for cooling isn’t required.  Finally, make sure that the separator or tank is ASME rated for the size and pressure of your boiler.

Over the years, Tri-State Laundry Equipment has had lots of success with installing and trouble shooting boilers.  If you need assistance with any boiler related issue, please contact us at 866-885-5218.

While the country is on lockdown because of Covid-19, Joe Moore is still out and about working on laundry and dry cleaning equipment; after all, clean clothes are essential.  Even though Joe is the newest member of the Tri-State team, having only been with us 2 ½ years, he’s proven himself quite capable.

One of the things I love about Tri-State is that there’s always a story, and how Joe joined the group is no exception.  Chris Lawson works part-time at a gun store in Rural Hall, and Joe, who I am learning is a man of many talents, was the Gunsmith there.  The two became friends, Chris mentioned Joe to his dad, and the rest is history.

Why Joe is a Great Fit  for the Job

“Joe is smarter than your average bear,” said Kevin Lawson, Vice President of Tri-State (which seems like a funny thing to say given that Joe and I talked about hunting, and he said bear meat was his least favorite game to cook or eat).  “He had no experience in our industry, but I hired him because he is former military and that always translates to hardworking, disciplined, and dedicated.  It didn’t take me long to figure out that he was the right fit for our team.” Speaking of military, Joe is a former Marine having served in 5 tours. 

When I talked to Joe, I asked him if they ‘threw him to the wolves.’  He laughed as he said ‘basically.’  “But the first time at anything is always difficult, and I think older machines are much easier to work on than the newer ones.  You just start with smaller problems, solve them, and before you know it, you’re off and running,” said Joe.

What Joe Likes  About Working at Tri-State

Joe is pleased to be a part of the Tri-State team.  “Everyone is competent and does their thing.  We look out for each other.  My boss works just as hard as I do, and the owner is concerned about our well-being.”  We are also pleased that Joe is a part of the Tri-State team.  “Not only is he mechanically inclined and a quick study, he’s also the right fit personality wise.  It’s a man’s shop.  We travel together, and the work can sometimes be hard and dangerous.  I couldn’t be more pleased that Joe joined our team,” stated Kevin.

Joe’s pleased, we’re pleased, and you should be pleased if Joe shows up to work on your dry cleaning or laundry equipment or assist with an install.  Should you need assistance from Joe or anyone at Tri-State, simply call 1-866-885-5218 or visit our contact us page .

Most dry-cleaners, unless they live in Maine, dread the summer.  The hot, humid weather not only makes for uncomfortable working conditions, but the humidity can also be hard on your equipment.  Let me explain why. 

Typical dry-cleaning plants have production equipment with air-activated cylinders and valves.  The process begins when an electric valve directs compressed air to feed into either cylinders or valves connected to the actual press mechanism, and each cylinder or valve has a rubber O-ring with lubricant around the seal.  If the air is excessively damp, then that damp air will mix with the lubricant creating a sludge that causes the rings to become slow to operate or to completely stick.  This slow or non-reaction leads to issues like shirt press expansion bags not opening in a timely manner causing poor quality and added touch up labor.

An air compressor does not control the moisture of the air; it simply takes in air, so the moisture content of the compressed air is whatever your climate offers, but an air dryer cools down the air as it passes through prior to hitting the storage tank.  Cold air can’t hold humidity like warm air can, so the water condenses and is removed by the water separator on the dryer air outlet. Air dryers, like the Atlas Copco FX HT 2 pictured above, are continuous run units and are both simple and maintenance free.  The only thing you have to do is to periodically clean or change the air filter, and as an added bonus, they don’t require much more electricity than a dorm refrigerator.

Refrigerated air dryers come in different sizes based on the CFM of your air compressor; your distributor can help you determine the model you need.  I would recommend by-passing the air dryer during installation in case there is an issue down the road or if an internal part of the air dryer develops a leak.  This will help you with repairs should you develop any issues later.   

Once a refrigerated air dryer is installed in your compressed air system, you will notice less issues with air operated equipment and will have smother pneumatic valve operation and far fewer pneumatic valve issues.

If you have questions or need help in this area, feel free to call Tri-State Laundry Equipment at 1-866-885-5218.