- Location
- Wasatch Front
If so, how effective was it and is it worth purchasing. Looking to build a small, portable air spade setup and wondering if that 25 cfm will get the job done
Last edited:
Anybody tried the 25 cfm airspade nozzle w/smaller compressor?
- Thread starter Dead Cottonwood
- Start date
Treetopflyer
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Coastal N.J
I have an air spade and the minimum requirement is 850 cfm , far as I can recall
- Location
- Wasatch Front
This is the one I was referring to. Specs say minimum compressor horsepower 5.6
AirSpade 2000
Discover the AirSpade 2000 for superior soil excavation. Precision tools for efficient digging. Elevate your projects with cutting-edge technology!
www.airspade.com
brydan
New member
- Location
- deep south
Sounds like that could be a nice setup. It always seemed like the wildcard with an air spade was soil conditions. Hard dry clay soil and it's a slow going dust bowl. Same soil with the right moisture and it cuts through pretty easy.
Reach
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Atglen, PA
I suspect you mean 85 cfm? An 850 cfm compressor rides on a three axle trailer, and delivers air through a 3” hose!
Reach
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Atglen, PA
That sounds like it may work if the soil is cooperative, but it will probably be pretty slow going, as 25 cfm really isn’t all that much. My die grinder in the shop uses that much air (the big compressor we have doesn’t like it), I can’t see that as enough to effectively move a sizable volume of soil, and you still need a pretty sizable compressor to power it.
It may also cost less to buy/rent a larger compressor, especially used, as they are much more common.
It may also cost less to buy/rent a larger compressor, especially used, as they are much more common.
- Location
- Wasatch Front
Thank you for the input. My estimations put a smaller compressor (approx 12hp) mounted on a DR Power Wagon with the 25cfm airspade costing about half the cost of just the tow behind compressor. I’ve never seen the 25cfm airspade in use so my main concern is I invest in this smaller stuff and it performs sub par and would just have to reinvest in the larger setup.
brydan
New member
- Location
- deep south
Maybe put a call in to Air Spade to get their input on it
flushcut
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Delavan, WI
I posed this same question a few years back and the general consensus was bigger is better.
Barc Buster
Branched out member
- Location
- The land shaped like a hand
Just about every rental yard around will have a tow behind compressor. I just rent one when I need it. I’ve never used the 25 but suspect you’d be wanting the 85 before you know it. Of course I should qualify that by saying our soil around here has a high clay content.
- Location
- Wasatch Front
I have, just wanted the knowledgeable opinions of my fellow tree people of treebuzz
Basswood
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Long island
Man if your soil conditions are anything like Colorado, and I’ve been told alot of the west down to TX it was similar, you’re going to want more power. I swear the soil was like concrete.
I’d rent for a bit then get a large, capable compressor mounted to a flat bed truck.
I’d rent for a bit then get a large, capable compressor mounted to a flat bed truck.
cerviarborist
Very stable member
- Location
- Florida, USA
Guardair makes a trench rescue iteration Air Spade kit, it has the standard 150 cfm nozzle, but also has a 60 CFM nozzle included with the kit. My understanding is that the 60 CFM nozzle allows compressed air from tanks commonly used on emergency vehicles to be utilized to initiate pneumatic excavation immediately, during the time needed to get a larger compressor to the site. Buying that kit, may give you the best of both worlds, rather than getting just the 25CFM "teacup" version, and constantly kicking yourself for being under-gunned when a more typical Airspade application is warranted. Take a look at the volume of soil movement advertised by the company (Then divide by half). The money you save by getting a less expensive rig, will soon be eaten up by the greater amounts of time you'll spend in the site. I bought the trench kit years ago, hardly ever use the smaller nozzle. I keep meaning to get a suitable tank to tote around with it, to use for short demonstrations.
flushcut
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Delavan, WI
I saw a video of a guy using a 450cfm compressor with an air spade and that was very impressive. Almost ridiculous! Lol Stoooopid loud like fighter jet loud.
ATH
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Findlay, Ohio
There is a 375 CFM AirKnife. (Their standard is 185 CFM). I think the standard Air Spade is 105 CFM? Throwing more air at it doesn't mean that air is making it out of the nozzle. It does mean you are running a more expensive piece of machinery and burning more diesel.
