A recent survey by VMAC has revealed respondents’ preferences for air compressor types, with 80% stating that they prefer rotary screw air compressors over reciprocating, adding rotary screw air compressors are favored for their performance, reliability, size and weight. Those who preferred reciprocating air compressors said that preference was driven by ease of repair, price and general availability of the system.

“The results are interesting because the motivating factors are quite different in each group,” said Mike Pettigrew, marketing manager at VMAC. “You’re ultimately seeing two very different types of buyers: one group that is interested in powerful, compact solutions that will always get the job done, and a second, smaller group that simply wants a cheap and easy option they can pick up right now.”

The research revealed that nearly half (47%) of all respondents currently use an above-deck, gas-driven air compressor, yet that isn’t necessarily the air compressor they want to be using. Over one-third (35%) of respondents said they prefer underhood or vehicle-engine driven air compressors, while only 30% prefer the above-deck gas engine option.

“Our mobile service truck customers continue to give us good feedback on the pros and cons of different air compressor setups and their comments very accurately reflect the intel that VMAC research has identified,” said Rob Beukema, vice president of Work Truck West. “The underhood, engine-driven compressor is becoming more popular for our owner/operator clients as well as our fleet managers, citing the physical space and weight they save on the deck level paired with less maintenance and higher productivity overall than stand-alone engine-driven units.”