Underdeck air compressors is another name for PTO driven air
compressors, a compressed air system that is powered by a vehicle’s
transmission via a PTO. PTO air compressors are frequently nicknamed
“underdeck” because of their mounting position, under the deck of a
service truck.
Underdeck air compressors come in hydraulic and
non-hydraulic varieties, giving operators options depending on their
specific needs. Most hydraulic varieties are intended for service trucks
with hydraulic cranes, tool circuits, and outriggers, while
non-hydraulic underdeck air compressors work well for countless
applications.
What are the advantages of underdeck air compressors?
Underdeck
air compressors are an innovative solution for providing compressed air
and have many benefits over traditional above-deck air compressors. The
advantages of underdeck air compressors include:
- Free up cargo space
- Reduce GVW
- 50 to 200 CFM
- 100% duty cycle
- Hydraulic option
- Few moving parts
- Less maintenance
Who makes underdeck air compressors?
There are three primary manufacturers of underdeck air compressors in North America:
Each
manufacturer’s product is quite different, varying in design and system
specifications. Anyone considering an underdeck system should carefully
consider all of their options before making a purchase.
How much do underdeck air compressors cost?
The
exact price of an underdeck air compressor will vary depending on a
variety of factors, including the manufacturer, dealer mark-up, region,
specific technology, and more. In addition, there are two different
factors that determine the cost of any vehicle-integrated air
compressor:
- System price
- Install price
It’s
important to look at both the system price and the install price when
comparing air compressor solutions. In some cases, the install time of
an underdeck air compressor can save you money when compared to
seemingly less expensive systems with longer install times.
Here are a couple of examples from VMAC’s product line of estimated install times for an experienced upfitter:
Estimated Install Hours For Vehicle-Integrated Systems
| Ford 2018 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Diesel | RAM 2018 6.7L Cummins 24V Inline 6 Diesel |
UNDERHOOD™ 70 | 18-22 hrs | 18-24 hrs |
Direct-Transmission Mounted 70 (“underdeck”) | 16-18 hrs | 16-18 hrs |
DISCLAIMER ON INSTALL TIMES: Install
times are based upon having pre-read the install manual, being an
experienced installer, and having the tools, system and vehicle prepped
for install. Times may vary plus/minus 4 hours of the suggested install
times published in this document.
To get the most accurate pricing for an underdeck air compressor, we recommend reaching out to a trusted
VMAC Dealer.
What else do I need to know?
The main thing you need to know is that underdeck air compressors are awesome!
But
before buying one, there’s a little more research you should do. We’ve
put together an extensive article on underdeck air compressors, “
What Is A PTO Driven Air Compressor?”, which covers everything you need to know about these innovative systems:
- Advantages
- Compatible Vehicles
- Direct-Mounted vs. Shaft Mounted
- Fully Engineered Systems vs. Installation Kits
- Transfer Case Design
- Weight
- And more
Check out our PTO Driven Air Compressor article to learn more about underdeck air compressors!