AIR COMPRESSOR
2 HP - 8 GALLON
40400
ASSEMBLY & OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally.
Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.
Distributed exclusively by Harbor Freight Tools®.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
Copyright© 1999 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual
or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the
express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.
For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.
REV 01h, 09c
SPECIFICATIONS
Motor Single Phase, 120 V~, 60 Hz, 15.5 A, 3,360 RPM
Air Tank 8 Gallon
Pump Type Single Stage
Max. Working Pressure 115 PSI
Air Flow
Press Switch 70 PSI
Materials
Piston Diameter 1.886”
Cylinder Honing 45° Crosshatch
Overall Dimensions 26” x 11-3/4” x 27”
Outlet Fittings 1/4” – 18 NPT
6 SCFM at 40 PSI, 5 SCFM at 90 PSI,
4.2 SCFM at 115 PSI
Cast Iron Piston and Connecting Rod
Cast Aluminum Crankcase
SAVE THIS MANUAL
You will need this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly, operating, inspection,
maintenance and cleaning procedures, parts list and assembly diagram. Keep your invoice with this manual.
Write the invoice number on the inside of the front cover. Keep this manual and invoice in a safe and dry place
for future reference.
GENERAL SAFETY WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
1. KEEP WORK AREA CLEAN AND DRY. Clut-
tered, damp, or wet work areas invite injuries.
2. KEEP CHILDREN AWAY FROM WORK AREA.
Do not allow children to handle this product.
3. STORE IDLE EQUIPMENT. When not in use,
tools and equipment should be stored in a dry
location to inhibit rust. Always lock up tools and
equipment, and keep out of reach of children.
4. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT IF UNDER
THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.
Read warning labels on prescriptions to deter-
mine if your judgement or reflexes are impaired
while taking drugs. If there is any doubt, do not
attempt to use this product.
5. USE EYE AND HAND PROTECTION. Wear
ANSI-approved safety impact goggles and
heavy-duty work gloves when using this prod-
uct.
6. DRESS SAFELY. Do not wear loose cloth-
ing or jewelry, as they can become caught in
moving parts. Wear a protective hair covering
to prevent long hair from becoming caught in
moving parts. If wearing a long-sleeve shirt,
roll sleeves up above elbows.
and balance at all times to prevent tripping,
falling, back injury, etcetera.
8. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS MUST FOL-
LOW OSHA REQUIREMENTS.
9. STAY ALERT. Watch what you are doing at all
times. Use common sense. Do not use this
product when you are tired or distracted from
the job at hand.
10. CHECK FOR DAMAGED PARTS. Before
using this product, carefully check that it will
operate properly and perform its intended function. Check for damaged parts and any other
conditions that may affect the operation of this
product. Replace or repair damaged or worn
parts immediately.
11. REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ACCES-
SORIES: When servicing, use only identical
replacement parts. Only use accessories
intended for use with this product. Approved
accessories are available from Harbor Freight
Tools.
12. MAINTAIN THIS PRODUCT WITH CARE.
Keep this product clean and dry for better and
safer performance.
7. DO NOT OVERREACH. Keep proper footing
REV 01j; 03h; 09c
SKU 40400 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 2
13. MAINTENANCE: For your safety, service and
maintenance should be performed regularly by
a qualified technician.
14. USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB. Do
not attempt to force a small tool or attachment
to do the work of a larger industrial tool. There
are certain applications for which this tool was
designed. It will do the job better and more
safely at the rate for which it was intended. Do
not modify this tool, and do not use this tool for
a purpose for which it was not intended.
15. WARNING: Make sure to fill the Air Com-
pressor with a premium quality, 30-weight,
non-detergent oil before each use. Running
the Air Compressor with no oil or low oil will
cause damage to the equipment. Note: The oil
reservoir has an optimal capacity of 30 ounces
of oil.
16. WHEN CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL: Make
sure to unscrew (do not pull) the Dip Stick
out.
17. MAKE SURE ALL TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
USED WITH THE AIR COMPRESSOR ARE
RATED TO THE APPROPRIATE CAPACITY.
Do not use any tool or equipment that does not
operate at the regulator setting being used.
18. DRAIN AIR COMPRESSOR EVERY DAY. Do
not allow moisture to build up inside the Air
Compressor.
(See “INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND
CLEANING” section of this manual.)
19. MAINTAIN A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT. Keep the work area well lit. Make sure
there is adequate surrounding workspace. Do
not use the Air Compressor in areas near flammable chemicals, dusts, and vapors.
20. AVOID INJURY: Never direct the air stream at
people or animals.
21. DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE THE FACTORY
SEALED PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE.
22. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION, NEVER SPRAY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
IN A CONFINED AREA. Do not smoke while
spraying. Do not spray where sparks or flames
are present. Keep compressor as far from
spray area as possible.
22. DO NOT OPEN THE WATER DRAIN VALVE
SO THAT MORE THAN FOUR THREADS ARE
SHOWING.
23. AN EXTENSION CORD MUST NEVER BE
USED WITH THIS ITEM. Connecting this
item to an outlet through an extension
cord MAY CAUSE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE
TO THE MOTOR and could present a FIRE
HAZARD.
24. THIS COMPRES SOR MAY REQUIRE A
DEDICATED ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AS THE
AMPERAGE DRAW UNDER FULL LOAD
COMBINED WITH USE OF ANY OTHER ITEM
MAY OVERLOAD YOUR CIRCUIT.
25. The brass components of this product contain
lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects (or other reproductive
harm). (California Health & Safety code §
25249.5, et seq.)
26. WARNING: People with pacemakers should
consult their physician(s) before using this
product. Operation of electrical equipment in
close proximity to a heart pacemaker could
cause interference to or failure of the pacemaker.
27. Never weld on the air tank of this Compres-
sor. Welding of the tank could affect tank
strength and result in an extremely hazardous
condition.
28. To decrease the potential for electric shock,
never use this Compressor outdoors when
it is raining, and never use the Compressor
on a wet surface.
29. Not suitable for breathing air supply purposes.
30. WARNING: The warnings, precautions, and
instructions discussed in this manual cannot
cover all possible conditions and situations that
may occur. The operator must understand that
common sense and caution are factors, which
cannot be built into this product, but must be
supplied by the operator.
SKU 40400 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 3