GEAR

Bushranger Max Air III Compressor

tested

WORDS BY EVAN SPENCE, IMAGES BY SHANE STIFFLE

The Bushranger Max Air range of air compressors have been around for what seems like forever and have gained a bit of a reputation as being just about unbreakable. The Max Air III is the newest and largest compressor in the Bushranger line-up. Sure, they aren’t the fastest air compressor around, but they were never designed to be. Rather, Bushranger designed them to be compact and lightweight, meaning they can be packed up easily into their storage bag and take up very little space in the back of your 4X4.

From previous comparison tests, we’ve found the Max Air III to run cool, and have an extremely accurate digital gauge (click here to read the comparison). In a recent trip away to the Myall Lakes in NSW, we decided to take another look at the Air Max III and put it through its paces, inflating a range of tyre sizes on the four vehicles we’d taken on the trip.

We headed to the beach to put the Bushranger Max Air III Compressor through its paces.

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WHAT’S INSIDE THE BOX?
You get everything you need to inflate your tyres and camping equipment. This includes the compressor itself, a nine-metre long flexible air hose, hard-mount kit if you wish to permanently mount the compressor and a trigger style inflation gun (which you can also use to deflate) with an LED backlit digital display. The power cables are nice and thick, with good quality alligator clips, and a 40A inline fuse to protect the compressor from electrical damage. It comes with three additional nozzles, and there are enough pockets to stash small spares.

"From previous comparison tests, we’ve found the Max Air III to run cool, and have an extremely accurate digital gauge"

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THE RESULTS
We decided to film the process, to show you how long it takes to pump a tyre up from 18psi to 32psi (we used a Mercedes X-Class). And the verdict? To inflate each tyre from 18psi to 32psi took under one minute per tyre. That means, within five-minutes, you can go from having the compressor sitting in its bag, inflate four tyres, then have it back in its bag ready for your next adventure.

To see the full review and all the results, watch the video. 

CLICK ABOVE TO SEE THE BUSHRANGER MAX AIR III IN ACTION

What we like:

1. Small in size for consistency of performance;

2. Backed by a five-year warranty;

3. Can be hard-mounted and adapted for use with an on-board air system;

4. The digital gauge is super accurate and allows you to control the compressor (on/off); and

5. Cool running and smooth operation compared to similar-sized compressors on the market.

What we don't:

1. Cost is up there at $350 – but this is a quality unit;

2. I’m not a fan of coiled hoses personally; and

3. Not the fastest compressor on the market but at around one-minute per tyre it’s still pretty quick.

BUSHRANGER MAX AIR III SPECIFICATIONS 
Flow Rate: 72 LPM
Working pressure (max): 150 psi
Duty cycle (max): 33% at 100psi
Amp draw (max): 30 amps fused
Voltage (max): 13.8v
Ambient temp (max): 70 °C
Materials: Cast Alloy air pump casing with cooling fans, cast air filter and diamond plate base tray with rubber base.
Dimensions: 290mm (L) x 190mm (H) x 150mm (W)
Weight: 5.3kg
Warranty: 5 years
RRP: $350                       

More info: bushranger.com.au

HOW TO USE THE COMPRESSOR
There aren’t any surprises with the Max Air III compressor, simply connect the two alligator clips to the associated battery terminal, plug in the air-line hose, connect the trigger and switch the unit on. To control the flow of the compressor, connect the trigger to a tyre, and press the lever to activate the compressor. To stop it from pushing air, simply let go of the trigger. This is a really handy feature, as it allows you to monitor tyre pressure accurately without having to physically switch the compressor off each time. The digital display is a brilliant feature, especially as it is backlit making for easy inflation at night.

GEAR

Bushranger Max Air III Compressor

The Bushranger Max Air range of air compressors have been around for what seems like forever and have gained a bit of a reputation as being just about unbreakable. The Max Air III is the newest and largest compressor in the Bushranger line-up. Sure, they aren’t the fastest air compressor around, but they were never designed to be. Rather, Bushranger designed them to be compact and lightweight, meaning they can be packed up easily into their storage bag and take up very little space in the back of your 4X4.

From previous comparison tests, we’ve found the Max Air III to run cool, and have an extremely accurate digital gauge (click here to read the comparison). In a recent trip away to the Myall Lakes in NSW, we decided to take another look at the Air Max III and put it through its paces, inflating a range of tyre sizes on the four vehicles we’d taken on the trip.

tested

WORDS BY EVAN SPENCE, IMAGES BY SHANE STIFFLE

We headed to the beach to put the Bushranger Max Air III Compressor through its paces.

SCROLL TO CONTINUE
ADVERTISEMENT

WHAT’S INSIDE THE BOX?
You get everything you need to inflate your tyres and camping equipment. This includes the compressor itself, a nine-metre long flexible air hose, hard-mount kit if you wish to permanently mount the compressor and a trigger style inflation gun (which you can also use to deflate) with an LED backlit digital display. The power cables are nice and thick, with good quality alligator clips, and a 40A inline fuse to protect the compressor from electrical damage. It comes with three additional nozzles, and there are enough pockets to stash small spares.

"From previous comparison tests, we’ve found the Max Air III to run cool, and have an extremely accurate digital gauge"

AMERICAN TRUCK UTE CANOPIES

NEED A UTE CANOPY?
REQUEST A QUOTE TODAY!

SLIDE ON CAMPERS
INTEGRATED CANOPIES
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

THE RESULTS
We decided to film the process, to show you how long it takes to pump a tyre up from 18psi to 32psi (we used a Mercedes X-Class). And the verdict? To inflate each tyre from 18psi to 32psi took under one minute per tyre. That means, within five-minutes, you can go from having the compressor sitting in its bag, inflate four tyres, then have it back in its bag ready for your next adventure.

To see the full review and all the results, watch the video. 

CLICK ABOVE TO SEE THE BUSHRANGER MAX AIR III IN ACTION

What we like:

1. Small in size for consistency of performance;

2. Backed by a five-year warranty;

3. Can be hard-mounted and adapted for use with an on-board air system;

4. The digital gauge is super accurate and allows you to control the compressor (on/off); and

5. Cool running and smooth operation compared to similar-sized compressors on the market.

What we don't:

1. Cost is up there at $350 – but this is a quality unit;

2. I’m not a fan of coiled hoses personally; and

3. Not the fastest compressor on the market but at around one-minute per tyre it’s still pretty quick.

HOW TO USE THE COMPRESSOR
There aren’t any surprises with the Max Air III compressor, simply connect the two alligator clips to the associated battery terminal, plug in the air-line hose, connect the trigger and switch the unit on. To control the flow of the compressor, connect the trigger to a tyre, and press the lever to activate the compressor. To stop it from pushing air, simply let go of the trigger. This is a really handy feature, as it allows you to monitor tyre pressure accurately without having to physically switch the compressor off each time. The digital display is a brilliant feature, especially as it is backlit making for easy inflation at night.

BUSHRANGER MAX AIR III SPECIFICATIONS 
Flow Rate: 72 LPM
Working pressure (max): 150 psi
Duty cycle (max): 33% at 100psi
Amp draw (max): 30 amps fused
Voltage (max): 13.8v
Ambient temp (max): 70 °C
Materials: Cast Alloy air pump casing with cooling fans, cast air filter and diamond plate base tray with rubber base.
Dimensions: 290mm (L) x 190mm (H) x 150mm (W)
Weight: 5.3kg
Warranty: 5 years
RRP: $350                       

More info: bushranger.com.au

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