041276 Sullair Disc Coupling

The 041276 Sullair Disc Coupling is an OEM flexible disc-style drive coupling used on vintage Sullair 160 and 185 CFM portable diesel air compressors manufactured during the late 1970s and 1980s era of Sullair portable production. The coupling connects the diesel engine output shaft to the rotary screw airend input shaft, transmitting full operational torque through the flexible disc element while absorbing the cyclical firing-pulse vibration produced by the diesel engine and compensating for the angular and parallel shaft misalignment that develops during normal operation, thermal expansion, and machine settling on uneven jobsite ground.

The 041276 is specified on the original Sullair 160 and 185 portable platforms equipped with John Deere diesel engines and on the Perkins diesel engine configurations of the same era. These vintage Sullair portable compressors remain in active service across rental fleet inventories, owner-operator construction businesses, sandblasting contractors, pipeline service crews, and rebuilt equipment programs that keep the original Sullair 185 platform running decades after the units left the factory. The combination of Sullair’s airend durability and the reliability of the period-correct John Deere and Perkins diesels makes these machines worth the maintenance investment for owners who know what they have.

The disc coupling design transmits torque through a bolted flexible disc element sandwiched between two coupling hubs, providing positive engagement with controlled flexibility. This isolates the airend bearings, shaft seals, and downstream drivetrain components from the cyclical torsional spikes that diesel engines generate during normal combustion firing pulses. Maintaining proper coupling condition protects the substantial value still locked up in a well-maintained vintage Sullair airend.

When to replace the 041276: Inspect this coupling at every scheduled service interval and watch for symptoms including elevated vibration during loaded operation, audible knocking or rumbling from the bell housing area at startup or under load, visible cracking or hardening of the disc element, deformation around the bolt attachment points, and metallic debris around the coupling guard. Replace the coupling at the first sign of element wear before the failure cascades into airend bearing damage.

Direct OEM Sullair replacement for vintage 160 and 185 CFM portable compressors. Available from Stark Industrial Products with same-day shipping on in-stock orders and 24/7 phone support at (903) 768-1111 to confirm fitment for your specific Sullair 160 or 185 production year and engine configuration before you order.