Compressors

About this range

Air down for the sand, air back up before the bitumen. Our compressor range covers both jobs, from the TJM Portable Air Compressor Kit with hose and carry bag through to the hard mounted TJM Pro Series in single and twin motor versions, and the Mean Mother Adventure 4 pushing 180 litres per minute with a wireless remote. Everything ships Australia-wide, and as an authorised TJM stockist we can mount and wire vehicle units properly at our Burwood workshop in Melbourne.

4 products

Buying guide

How to choose a compressor and tyre gear

Letting tyres down for sand, gravel or rough tracks gives them a bigger footprint and a softer ride. A good compressor and gauge let you put the air back before you're back on the bitumen.

  1. Duty cycle

    The duty cycle is how long a compressor can run before it needs to rest. Across ARB's range it runs from 33% to 100%: higher suits bigger tyres and more than one vehicle.

  2. Portable or fitted

    A portable unit moves between vehicles. A fitted one is wired in and mounted, ready to use, and can also run air tools or lockers where it's built for it.

  3. A gauge you trust

    Set pressures with a good gauge, and check them cold. Adjust for how loaded the vehicle is.

  4. Air back up

    Reinflate to road pressures before you're back on sealed roads. Low pressures on bitumen wear and heat tyres.

Choosing the right air compressor

Flow rate is the first number to look at. It is quoted in litres per minute and decides how long you stand around at the exit of the beach or track. Lower flow units will get the job done on smaller tyres if you are patient, but on a modern 4x4 running 32 or 33 inch rubber, a high flow unit like the Mean Mother Adventure 4 at 180LPM or a twin motor TJM Pro Series will bring all four tyres back up in minutes rather than a good chunk of your afternoon.

The second decision is portable versus vehicle mounted. A portable kit like the TJM unit with its hose and bag clips straight to the battery, works on any vehicle in the family and moves with you when you change cars. A mounted Pro Series single or twin is wired through a fused circuit, is always ready to go, and can plumb into an air locker system. Also check the duty cycle, which tells you how long the compressor can run before it needs a rest. A unit that stops to cool down halfway through a set of tyres gets old quickly.

Related categories

Common questions

Why let tyres down off-road?

Lower pressure lengthens the tyre's footprint, giving more grip and a smoother ride on soft or rough ground (BFGoodrich).

What pressure should I run?

It depends on your tyres, load and the surface. Start from your tyre and vehicle makers' guidance, set pressures cold, and adjust for load.

What is a compressor's duty cycle?

The share of time it can run before it needs to cool. A 100% duty cycle compressor can run continuously.

Can I drive on Victorian beaches?

Private vehicles are banned from Victorian beaches except under specific exemptions (Parks Victoria).

Keep going

Compressor AccessoriesHoses and fittings40 in range Jacks, Tyre Gauges & AccessoriesJacks, gauges and more15 in range Recovery Boards & TracksFor when you still get stuck13 in range