The Bottom Line
The Ridgid MobilAir Tri-Stack Air Compressor has to be one of the most flexible air compressors I've encountered. The unit has a compressor head with a permanently-attached tank, both of which are positioned over a dual-section main tank. The head and all of the tanks can be used together for a full five-gallon capacity, or the main tank can be filled with compressed air and then separated from the head unit, ideal for use in finish applications while the compressor is in use elsewhere. While the unit is heavy and can seem a little complicated, it is a versatile workhorse that would be at home on any job site.
Pros
- A compressor head and detachable tank that offers supreme flexibility
- The head unit separates from the lower tank with a twist of a knob
- Two independent pressure regulators
Cons
- At nearly 80 pounds, the MobilAir Tri-Stack is a bit on the heavy side to carry all at once
- Enough knobs, controls and hose connections that can make it seem a little complicated to operate
Description
- 5.0 gallon capacity, 150 psi max pressure and 4.9 SCFM @ 90 PSI. 1/4-inch quick couplers on both the compressor head and main tank.
- Includes a 3-year limited service warranty
- A better-illustrated manual would make learning all of the features of the compressor and tank easier.
Guide Review - Ridgid MobilAir Tri-Stack Air Compressor Review
The idea behind the Ridgid MobilAir Tri-Stack Air Compressor is obviously versatility. This compressor provides the convenience of a small, but powerful head unit and a main tank that can be used together or separately. If you have an extra air hose with 1/4-inch connections, you could separate the two units and connect them with the extra air hose. This would allow you to use the compressor and head tank in one section of the job site, and the main tank in another section. The compressor would thus keep both tanks charged.
As I mentioned earlier, the unit is rather heavy at just under 80 pounds. However, it is fairly well-balanced if you intend to carry it as a single unit, and the handle on the top of the compressor is placed in such a position that carrying the entire unit isn't overly awkward. Should you choose to separate the head from the main tank (by twisting the lock/release knob on one end of the compressor), you'll find carrying the head unit in one hand and the main tank in the other might be easier.
I also mentioned earlier that the entire unit can seem a bit complicated. This is more of a first impression than anything. Once you begin to use the unit, it becomes obvious that every dial, knob and release valve is in an easily-accessible location. I found the 1/4-turn drain valves on the bottom of the dual-channel main tank to be very easy to release pressure and drain the tanks at the end of use. They also placed a safety release valve on both the main tank and the compressor head unit.
Additionally, the on/off switch is easily accessible on the top of the compressor, although the reset button (should you need it, which, ironically I did twice throughout the course of testing) is tucked down and behind the motor. Not hard to find, but clearly out of the line of sight.
If I could make one suggestion, it would be that the operator's manual could really use some thought. Longtime readers will recognize that poorly-constructed manuals are a bit of a pet peeve of mine. The manual for this compressor isn't bad (it is in book form, in English, followed by sections in French and Spanish), but all of the illustrations are in the back of the book. If they'd have put the illustrations in the sections where the text refers to the illustrations, the learning curve for using all of the features of the compressor would likely drop substantially.
As I mentioned earlier, the unit is rather heavy at just under 80 pounds. However, it is fairly well-balanced if you intend to carry it as a single unit, and the handle on the top of the compressor is placed in such a position that carrying the entire unit isn't overly awkward. Should you choose to separate the head from the main tank (by twisting the lock/release knob on one end of the compressor), you'll find carrying the head unit in one hand and the main tank in the other might be easier.
I also mentioned earlier that the entire unit can seem a bit complicated. This is more of a first impression than anything. Once you begin to use the unit, it becomes obvious that every dial, knob and release valve is in an easily-accessible location. I found the 1/4-turn drain valves on the bottom of the dual-channel main tank to be very easy to release pressure and drain the tanks at the end of use. They also placed a safety release valve on both the main tank and the compressor head unit.
Additionally, the on/off switch is easily accessible on the top of the compressor, although the reset button (should you need it, which, ironically I did twice throughout the course of testing) is tucked down and behind the motor. Not hard to find, but clearly out of the line of sight.
If I could make one suggestion, it would be that the operator's manual could really use some thought. Longtime readers will recognize that poorly-constructed manuals are a bit of a pet peeve of mine. The manual for this compressor isn't bad (it is in book form, in English, followed by sections in French and Spanish), but all of the illustrations are in the back of the book. If they'd have put the illustrations in the sections where the text refers to the illustrations, the learning curve for using all of the features of the compressor would likely drop substantially.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
