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Workhorse Air Compressor Tandem 3hp 250l

Workhorse Air Compressor Tandem 3hp 250l

£1,390.00
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Workhorse Air Compressor Tandem 3hp 250l
  • Workhorse Air Compressor Tandem 3hp 250l
  • Workhorse Air Compressor Tandem 3hp 250l
Workhorse Air Compressor Tandem 3hp 250l

Workhorse Air Compressor Tandem 3hp 250l

£1,390.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Workhorse Air Compressor Tandem 3hp 250l is a heavy-duty belt-driven twin-pump unit designed to provide high air delivery from a single-phase supply for professional bodyshops and workshops.

Key Features

  • Tandem twin 3hp pump setup
  • Large 250 litre air receiver
  • Single-phase 230V workshop supply
  • High free air delivery output
  • Cast iron cylinder block construction
  • Automatic stop/start control system
Technical Support

Everything we sell is supported by our factory trained engineers at our premesis in Manchester or nationwide through our mobile service engineers.

Delivery + Returns

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Supply voltage

Supply

230V

Warranty

Warranty

2 Years

Free delivery

Free Delivery

UK mainland delivery

Service engineers

Service

In-house engineers

Technical support

Support

0161 223 1843

Expert Advice

Paul Jones

Paul Jones says

This is a static tandem air compressor setup, aimed at workshops that need more air capacity from a single‑phase supply. With two 3 hp pumps on a 250 litre receiver, it suits bodyshops running multiple air tools, spray guns, and general workshop equipment where duty cycle is fairly high through the day.

In practice, it needs a correctly rated electrical supply, typically a dedicated 30 amp circuit, and proper siting with good ventilation and access for servicing. Air line sizing and filtration matter; if you’re feeding spray equipment, you’ll want decent water separation and regulation downstream, as tandem units generate a fair amount of heat and moisture.

One common issue I see is compressors being undersized or wired into marginal supplies, leading to nuisance tripping and slow recovery. Another is receivers never being drained, which shortens life and contaminates air systems.

Set up properly, a tandem 3 hp 250 litre unit is a reliable workhorse, giving consistent air delivery and good efficiency for small to medium professional bodyshops without stepping up to three‑phase power.

Paul Jones, Technical Director, BWS Ltd

Paul Jones, Technical Director

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Technical Datasheet

Download the official manufacturer datasheet for Workhorse Air Compressor Tandem 3hp 250l including specifications, compatibility information and technical details.

Download Workhorse Air Compressor Tandem 3hp 250l Datasheet
Bodyshop Equipment Engineers

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We also have some of the most experienced engineers in the industry who are able to offer full technical support on top of what the manufacturers offer.

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Technical Features

  • Cast iron twincylinder tandem pumps provide high output with builtin redundancy, so one pump can act as backup to keep the workshop running if the other is offline.
  • Large 250litre receiver gives good air storage for sustained use with bodyshop tools such as spray guns, DA sanders, and small blasting work without constant cycling.
  • Singlephase 230V supply with tandem 3hp motors allows higher air delivery than a conventional single 3hp unit while remaining compatible with typical UK workshop electrics.
  • Beltdriven pump arrangement with slowrunning speeds reduces noise levels, improves cooling and extends service life compared with faster directdrive units.
  • Cast iron cylinder blocks on the pumps give better wear resistance, thermal stability and rebuildability for longterm professional use.
  • Air receiver built and certified to the latest European pressure vessel standards for safe operation in commercial workshops.
  • Heavyduty industrial motors with overload protection help prevent motor damage under hard use, nuisance trips and overheating.
  • Fitted aftercoolers improve moisture removal by cooling the air before it enters the receiver, reducing water carryover to lines and tools.
  • Aerodynamic flywheels on the pumps enhance airflow over the pump and motor for more effective cooling during continuous duty.
  • Automatic stop/start control maintains receiver pressure and reduces unnecessary running, saving energy and mechanical wear.
  • Designed as a static workshop compressor, well suited to fixed installations in bodyshops, garages and fabrication bays where reliable air supply is critical.
  • Built and tested in Manchester, UK, offering traceable manufacturing, genuine parts support and practical backup from UK engineers.
  • Twoyear conditional warranty on the compressor, reflecting confidence in durability when installed and maintained correctly.
  • Factorytrained engineer support and parts availability make it suitable for professional workshops needing longterm service backup.
  • Tandem layout can support staged operation or isolation of one pump for maintenance, helping minimise downtime in busy repair centres.

Specification

Motor HP
2 x 3.0 HP
Air Receiver Capacity
250 litres
Input Voltage
230V
Electrical Phase
Single phase
Displacement
28.0 CFM
Free Air Delivery
18.0 CFM
Maximum Pressure
145 PSI
Dimensions
1750 x 480 x 1100mm (L x W x H)
Required Supply
30A
Compressor Type
Tandem belt-driven piston
Pump Configuration
Twin cylinder pumps
Block Material
Cast iron
Aftercooler
Fitted
Motor Protection
Heavy duty industrial motor with overload protection
Cooling
Aerodynamic flywheels for efficient cooling
Control Type
Automatic stop
Country of Manufacture
UK (Manchester)
Warranty
2-year conditional warranty

FAQs

Is the Workhorse Tandem 3hp 250l compressor suitable for my workshop’s air demand?
This tandem unit uses two 3 hp pumps on a 250 litre receiver, giving around 28 CFM displacement and approximately 18–21 CFM free air delivery, depending on the supplier spec. That is typically enough for most professional workshops running a couple of bodyshop tools (DA sanders, spray guns, small blast pots) or mixed air usage, but it is not a replacement for a full screw compressor on constant high-demand processes. For continuous high-flow tools (large blast cabinets, multiple technicians on air tools all day) you would still want to size the system on FAD and duty cycle, and may need additional storage or a larger plant. If you send our engineers a rough list of your air tools and usage pattern, we can sense-check whether this unit is correctly sized for your shop.
What power supply and installation do I need for the Workhorse Tandem 3hp 250l?
The tandem 2 x 3 hp 250 litre model is single-phase 230 V but requires a 30 A supply due to the starting current of the two motors. It is not suitable for a standard 13 A plug. We recommend a dedicated 30 A radial circuit, correctly rated MCB, and isolator close to the machine. Position the compressor on a level floor with adequate ventilation around it, ideally on anti-vibration mounts, and run hard pipework (galvanised, aluminium, or copper) rather than relying on long rubber hoses. BWS engineers can advise on electrical and air distribution layout, but the electrical connection itself should be done by a qualified electrician.
How does the tandem configuration work and what happens if one pump fails?
The tandem design uses two belt-driven, cast-iron twin-cylinder pumps on a shared 250 litre receiver, each driven by its own 3 hp motor. In normal use both pumps run together to deliver higher output on a single-phase supply. If one pump or motor is down for maintenance, the other pump can still be run on its own, giving reduced but usable air output so you are not completely without compressed air. This is one of the main advantages of the tandem arrangement for busy workshops that need some redundancy. For long life, stick to the service intervals for oil changes and belt tension, as both pumps share the workload.
What maintenance and air quality considerations are there for bodyshop use?
Like the rest of the Workhorse range, this unit uses slow-running, cast-iron twin-cylinder pumps with aftercoolers, so it is designed for long service life and relatively low noise, but it is still an oil-lubricated piston compressor. For bodyshop work, you should treat it as a plant item that needs regular maintenance: check oil level weekly, drain condensate from the 250 litre receiver daily, and inspect belts and safety valves at service intervals. Because it is oil-lubricated, you must use appropriate filtration and dryers downstream if you are feeding spray guns, especially waterborne systems: at minimum a water trap and fine coalescing filter near the gun, and ideally a refrigerated dryer in the main line. BWS can specify matched filtration sets and genuine spares, and our engineers can set up a service schedule to keep the warranty valid and the air quality suitable for paint work.