Tire Inflation Tools

Tire inflation tools range from manually operated equipment that’s suitable for wheelbarrows and bicycles to motor-driven machines that can pump up automobile tires. The type of tire inflation tool that’s right for your tool chest depends on the particulars of your project; some tools are compact and prepare you to handle emergency repairs, while other tools are cumbersome and best left in the tool shed. Whether you require power or portability, an understanding of the types of tools available allows you to choose the right one for your project. Does this Spark an idea?

Manual Tire Pump
Manual tire pumps, also called hand pumps, inflate small tires, such as bicycle tires and wheelbarrow tires. The common manual tire pump consists of three parts: a cylindrical body, a T shaped handle and an inflation hose. The manual pumps handle slides in and out of one end of the cylindrical body and the hose protrudes from the opposite end of the body. Sliding the handle builds pressure within the body, which is released through the tip of the inflation hose. The tip of the inflation hose connects directly to a tire’s inlet valve. The manual tire pump depends on muscle power to inflate tires, so the upper pressure limit of the tool varies according to the strength of its operator. In general, an individual of average strength can use a manual tire pump to inflate bicycle and wheelbarrow tires.

Air Compressor
An air compressor employs a gas-powered or electric motor to compress air within a cylindrical tank. A hose attaches to the compressor’s air tank and a tire inflation tool, called an “air hose fitting,” attaches to the end of the hose. The tire inflation fitting connects to the air inlet of nearly any type of tire, including bicycle tires, automobile tires and heavy equipment tires. Tire inflation fittings are typically trigger operated. The tool’s operator allows the compressor to fill, attaches the inflation fitting to the tire’s inlet and pulls the fitting’s trigger to release air and inflate the tire. Air compressors are capable of compressing air to high pressures; manufacturers market compressors according to how many hundreds of pounds per square inch (PSI) the machines can produce. Air compressors generally vary in price according to size; auto parts stores sell inexpensive battery-operated compressors for inflating spare tires, and hardware stores sell costly, industrial-strength compressors for the construction and repair industries.

Aerosol Tire Inflator
The aerosol tire inflator is a compromise between the manual tire pump and the air compressor. Aerosol tire inflators are about the size of a spray paint can. An inflation hose protrudes from the top of the can and attaches to a tire’s air inlet. Aerosol tire inflators are single-use only; once opened, the can loses pressure and its ability to inflate. Some aerosol tire inflators contain a leak-stopping compound. Leak-stopping compound fills punctures as it inflates a tire. Aerosol inflators are available for both small tires, such as bicycles, and large tires, such as car tires.

tags: nitrogen generator, N2 tire inflator

Share