Atlas Copco XAS 185 KDU Towable Air Compressor – 185 CFM, 100 PSI, Kubota Diesel

The Atlas Copco XAS 185 KDU towable air compressor is a jobsite standard for contractors, rental fleets, and industrial users who need reliable 185 CFM compressed air at 100 PSI in a trailer-mounted package. This description covers the tow-behind version only – the highway-legal compressor on its own trailer, not any deck- or truck-mounted configuration.

Built around a fuel-efficient Kubota diesel and Atlas Copco’s proven rotary screw element, the XAS 185 KDU is designed to be hitched up, hauled anywhere, and run hard all day with minimal drama. It’s compact, comparatively quiet for its output, and engineered to keep operating costs low over thousands of hours.

High-Output Performance in a Compact Towable Package

At its core, the XAS 185 KDU uses a single-stage, oil-injected rotary screw compressor element tuned to deliver steady air without the pressure swings and vibration associated with piston machines.

Key performance characteristics:

• Approx. 185 CFM free air delivery
• 100 PSI nominal working pressure
• Adjustable working pressure over a typical 58–125+ PSI range (model/option dependent)
• Rotary screw design for continuous-duty use
• Twin ¾" air outlets for running multiple tools at once

That output is enough to run several 90 lb breakers, sandblasters, impact wrenches, or a mix of smaller tools simultaneously. It’s sized for general construction, roadwork, utility work, and rental applications where 185 CFM is the sweet spot between portability and productivity.

Kubota Tier 4 Final Diesel – Power Without the Hassle

Under the hood, the towable XAS 185 KDU is driven by a Kubota V2403 or similar Tier 4 Final diesel in the 49 HP class. This engine family is known for long service life, easy cold starts, and widespread parts availability.

Key engine-related advantages:

• Four-cylinder, liquid-cooled industrial diesel
• Around 49 HP matched to the compressor element
• Tier 4 Final compliant with DOC/DPF aftertreatment
• No DEF tank required on this configuration
• 120 V block heater option for cold-weather starting
• Heavy-duty starting battery for dependable cranking

Fuel consumption is competitive for its class, typically giving you a full workday on a single tank under mixed load. The diesel aftertreatment is managed automatically by the controller, so the operator doesn’t have to babysit regeneration cycles during normal use.

Smart Thermal and Lubrication Management

To keep the compressor running in real-world conditions, Atlas Copco builds in a thermostatic bypass valve in the compressor oil circuit. This helps the oil warm up to proper temperature quickly, preventing excessive condensation and reducing wear in cold climates.

Paired with synthetic compressor oil, you get:

• Faster warm-up in cold environments
• Reduced internal moisture and sludge formation
• Better oxidation resistance at high running temperatures
• Longer drain intervals and lower lifetime service cost

The result is a towable compressor that handles temperature swings and long duty cycles without beating itself to death internally.

XC2003 Controller – Real Information, Real Protection

The XAS 185 KDU towable unit is managed by the XC2003 electronic controller, which ties the engine and compressor together and protects both from abuse. This isn’t just a couple of warning lamps; it’s a full-featured interface.

The XC2003 typically provides:

1. Clear digital readout of pressure, hours, and engine parameters
2. Fuel level, battery voltage, and service reminders
3. Engine temperature and oil pressure monitoring
4. Warnings for low fuel, high coolant temperature, and high compressor oil temperature
5. Automatic safety shutdowns to prevent catastrophic damage

The controller also offers basic diagnostics and event history so technicians can see why a unit shut down and fix the real problem instead of guessing. That translates into less downtime and fewer repeat service calls.

Trailer-Mounted Mobility – Built to Be Towed

This is the trailer version, fully configured for highway towing. The compressor sits on a single-axle steel chassis with integrated drawbar and running gear sized for the machine’s operating weight.

Typical towable features include:

• Single torsion or leaf-spring axle with appropriate load rating
• DOT-approved lighting and wiring harness with a standard trailer plug
• 3" pintle lunette ring or similar heavy-duty hitch
• Swivel jack stand and heavy safety chains
• Balanced weight distribution for stable towing at highway speeds

Hook it up behind a ¾-ton work truck and you’ve got a mobile air plant that follows you from job to job without needing a dedicated compressor truck or forklift.

HardHat™ Canopy and Service-Friendly Layout

Atlas Copco’s signature HardHat™ canopy is a dual-wall polyethylene shell that resists dents, cracks, and corrosion better than traditional steel housings. It maintains a cleaner appearance over years of rental use, where units get bumped, scraped, and parked in harsh environments.

Service access is straightforward: the canopy opens wide and major service points are grouped to one side wherever possible, so techs can get to filters, drains, and fill points quickly.

Typical serviceability advantages:

• Main service points accessible from one side
• Easy access to air and oil filters
• Logical routing of hoses and wiring
• Clear visibility of fluid levels and drains

This reduces scheduled service time and makes unscheduled work in the field less painful and faster to complete.

Where the XAS 185 KDU Towable Compressor Excels

Because it’s truly mobile and sized at 185 CFM, this tow-behind unit fits a wide range of roles:

• Road and bridge repair crews
• General construction and demolition
• Utility line maintenance and underground work
• Sandblasting and surface preparation
• Rental fleets serving contractors and industrial plants

If you need reliable compressed air that can be easily shared between jobsites without being tied to a single truck, this towable setup makes far more sense than a fixed mount.

Five Reasons to Choose the Towable XAS 185 KDU

1. True jobsite mobility
   Hitch it up and go. No need for a dedicated compressor truck or crane to reposition it.
2. Serious air in a manageable size
   Around 185 CFM at 100 PSI is the sweet spot for running multiple breakers, blasters, and general construction tools without jumping to a much larger, less portable machine.
3. Kubota Tier 4 Final diesel with no DEF
   Proven industrial power, easy to service, with emissions handled by DOC/DPF so the operator doesn’t have to deal with DEF on this configuration.
4. Intelligent XC2003 control and protection
   Proper monitoring, warnings, and automatic shutdowns protect the engine and air end, while basic diagnostics help techs get it back to work faster.
5. Low total cost of ownership
   Efficient fuel usage, synthetic compressor oil, a thermostatic bypass valve, and a service-friendly layout all drive down lifetime operating and maintenance costs.

If you’re buying or specifying an Atlas Copco XAS 185 KDU towable air compressor, this trailer-mounted configuration is exactly what you’re looking at: a compact, highway-legal, 185 CFM workhorse that can live on the hitch of your truck and deliver clean, reliable air on any jobsite.