How to Choose the Right Portable Power Equipment for Your Project

On a demanding job site, every second of downtime costs you, which is why reliable, portable power is non-negotiable. Equipment and machinery like air compressors, power generators, and light towers are the backbone of your entire operation. 

But how do you choose the right piece of heavy-duty gear for your project? The answer lies in mastering three critical elements: Fuel Efficiency, Equipment Size, and Power Output. 

Below, we’ve provided an overview of how to select the optimal portable power solution tailored to your project and job-site demands.

What is Portable Power Equipment?

Portable power equipment is designed to improve serviceability, avoid delays, and optimize productivity under any conditions. 

They improve efficiency across a wide range of projects, from building to natural disasters, and managing outdoor events to deploying 24/7 work crews to complete rush jobs. 

Fuel-powered equipment operates at off-grid sites, kicks in when power is compromised, and meets temporary needs cost-effectively and productively.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel-powered portable equipment solutions are more reliable than rechargeable batteries because they can be refilled quickly without waiting for a recharge. 

Fuel efficiency is critical for achieving a low total cost of ownership with reliable engines such as Doosan or Kubota.

Cost-effective fuels, such as #2 Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD), and Tier 4 engines reduce pollutant emissions using features such as urea-SCR catalysts and filters to control NOx and particulates.

Equipment Size

Equipment size addresses weight and footprint to improve site accessibility and safety. For tower lights, adjustable height is a beneficial feature, enabling broader coverage from a single tower. 

However, size is also a consideration for transportation, ensuring you can move your portable equipment without facing additional costs or licensing requirements.

For example, tires and proper hitching features on compressors and generators improve mobility, yet larger portable equipment often requires a towing bar and axles. There might also be special towing capacities for the legal, safe transportation of compressors.

Some portable equipment comes with convenient transportation features such as retractable handles or pneumatic tires for easier handling, ideal for one-person operations.

One last consideration is the amount of portable equipment required. For example, when transporting lights, you might need one or two towers for a smaller job site, but multiple units for major projects such as road construction. 

In this case, transportation is easier when you can lay several towers on a flatbed truck and offload them based on spacing to provide broad light coverage along the entire construction route.

Power Output

Since portable power equipment must often operate without access to electricity, power output is a major concern. Portable air compressors, generators, and lights have different considerations:

• Generators: Your site’s power requirements are based on the total power consumption of all tools and equipment that rely on the generator. 
  Calculate the wattage of the tools, appliances, and other equipment that require power so you can determine the total power consumption when simultaneously operating all tools.
  Add at least 20% more to your estimate to ensure you can handle changing power demands.
• Compressors: The right power output for your compressor is based on the cubic feet per minute (CFM) and pounds per square inch (PSI) requirements for the tools you plan to use.
  You also have to consider how frequently you use them and the average task time. These numbers ensure the compressor manages the workload efficiently. As with the generator, you should calculate total CFM and PSI for all tools you run to manage needs when the site is operating at full capacity.
  Your site might also have power source limitations. A site with direct and reliable electricity can handle higher power loads compared to remote sites powered by a generator.
• Lights: Portable light towers that provide both power and light help ensure they have sufficient power to avoid disruptions. For example, Bobcat portable tower lights pair a reliable engine and high-output alternator for performance reliability.

Portable Air Compressors

Towable portable air compressors manage a range of tasks across several industries, from construction to agriculture, whether your stationary model is down or you require temporary use of an air compressor to manage specific projects.

From powering tools and inflating tires at construction sites to managing agricultural work such as spraying crops, towable compressors are easy to transport and operate. They are available for rent for specific jobs or for purchase to expand your capabilities.

Portable Generators

Portable generators are a lifesaver at off-grid sites, as backup in case of unexpected power outages, or to provide power across various situations, from natural disasters to outdoor events.

Regardless of the conditions, generators avoid downtime, improve safety, and enhance productivity, whether kicking in during outages or providing power at unserviced sites.

Bobcat portable generators use reliable Doosan D18 engines for longer runtimes and reduced maintenance. Marelli alternators improve reliability and convenience with quick start response times and voltage stability, enhancing overall performance.

Optional features, such as a built-in Intelligent Load Management System (ILMS), protect the engine and exhaust after-treatment system when conditions aren’t optimal to maintain ideal operation, prolong life, and reduce the costs of maintenance.

Light Towers

Portable light towers enhance safety, whether assisting during natural-disaster response, at outdoor events, or by enabling 24/7 job-site productivity.

Bobcat’s programmable light towers are made for efficiency, turning on at dusk and turning off at dawn, offering upwards of 105 hours of runtime.

Depending on the model, efficient #2 Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel produces 6 to 8 kW of power using a Kubota® engine. Fully adjustable light heads allow workers to direct light where it is needed while taking up minimal space, thanks to their compact footprint.

Reliability is guaranteed thanks to the engine and a high-output alternator that provides both light and power. This combination helps improve efficiency and reduce the total cost of ownership.

With one of the longest maintenance intervals, the engine can run for 1,000 hours of maintenance-free operation without worries of oil changes to minimize downtime.

Contact the Bobcat Heavy Equipment Experts

As Canada’s largest Bobcat dealer network, Oaken Equipment can help you find the most versatile Bobcat portable power equipment. Our experienced staff is here to answer your questions, assess your needs, and recommend the best solutions to enhance productivity and safety.

For more information about our Bobcat line, or to learn more about the variety of other machines available, call Oaken Equipment at 1-888-625-3611 or contact us here.