I-R Compressors

sflem849

Well-known Member
Are all Ingersoll-Rand compressors created equal? That is, is the 7.5 hp compressor sold at TSC the same as the one at the air compressor store. If you have suggestions on a good compresser that can put out 20+ cfm I would be open to suggestions.

I know you can buy a JD lawn mower at the dealer or at Home Depot...they are not the same. I don't want to purchase a compresser with subpar quality.
 
There is some difference, but I don't know what, I got mine from TSC. When I needed parts they told me the parts numbers where not the same, but they could still match up the parts for me.
 
In my opinion, when it comes to small reciprocating
compressors, IR has been living on their reputation,
and not the quality of their product, for years.

Quincy compressors are probably the pick of the
litter, with Saylor-Beall, Champion, and Curtis not
far behind.
 
FWIW I have the next one down, 5hp I think and 60 gallon tank, around 12CFM. No problems so far. I run their synthetic oil and change it once a year.

I have had it about 5 years. I believe the actual compressor part is now made in India. Not sure on the bigger ones though. I doubt TSC is big enough on compressors to get an indigenous model.
 
(quoted from post at 21:10:15 01/23/13) In my opinion, when it comes to small reciprocating
compressors, IR has been living on their reputation,
and not the quality of their product, for years.

Quincy compressors are probably the pick of the
litter, with Saylor-Beall, Champion, and Curtis not
far behind.

TP tools carries Quincy and Champion so I had a feeling they were good.
 
I have a5 year old IR 5HP compressor, with no issues.

I think that Quincy is a better compressor, but IR has a large service department. I would buy a 7.5HP if I got a new one. The bead blaster works the snot out of the 5HP.
 
(quoted from post at 07:01:48 01/24/13) I have a5 year old IR 5HP compressor, with no issues.

I think that Quincy is a better compressor, but IR has a large service department. I would buy a 7.5HP if I got a new one. The bead blaster works the snot out of the 5HP.


DA and die grinder, too.
 
sflem849 I would check the model numbers and call IR. They are sometimes built to different specks. I know a 5hp farm compressor is far different than a 5hp commercial one. I spent 22 1/2 years as the owner of a tire shop. Ingersoll Rand is the only brand of air compressor and the only brand of air tools that would stand up to every day hard use. We purchased many compressors in that time. If I was buying a new compressor today, I would only buy an Ingersoll Rand.
 
Get the number off the pumps and you can tell part of it, the TSC
compressor I believe is spinning the same IR pump used elsewhere
as a 5 hp 800 rpm pump up to 1100 rpm or so to make a 7.5 hp
compressor. It won't last nearly as long do this.
 
From their website, looks like they only have one model in 7.5 hp 2-stage electric compressor. Finger valves..you'll have to pull the head every time something goes wrong.
 
I do not claim to be familiar with all Ingersal Rand
compressors, but in our side-by-side/apples to apples
comparisons in everyday use, IR does not hold a candle to
Quincy, PERIOD.

Glenn F.
 
(quoted from post at 10:53:13 01/24/13) I do not claim to be familiar with all Ingersal Rand
compressors, but in our side-by-side/apples to apples
comparisons in everyday use, IR does not hold a candle to
Quincy, PERIOD.

Glenn F.

The Quincy/Champion is certainly better, but they cost twice as much.
 
I have a I R 80 gal, 5 hp , dual stage compressor. Burned up the motor using sand blaster. They gave me a new one and I make sure to give it a break while using it now. The electric motor repair shop I visited just shook his head when I brought the motor in. He said he had converted one of them to the lower speed motor for a guy as IR, like most , uses the high speed , light weight motor to control cost. I don't remember the exact rpm but they are something like 1740 vs 3480, electricians would know.
 
I have a SS5L5 IR compressor, single stage 5 hp 60 gallon tank, it came from Northern Tool close to 5 years ago. Although I liked the price point I have been pretty let down on quality.

1. shortly after it was new the pulley fell off the motor as it wasn't tight.
2. It's ate 3-4 belts so far.
3. Pressure switch contacts melted together so every other time it comes on it sticks on.
4. Head gasket blew between cylinders.

The last two issues I am waiting on parts for, I am in southern PA and they are sending parts from charlotte, they told me 7 days atleast to get parts, that is a crock, no reason for that at all.

After I got mine one of my friends got a 3 hp version and another friend got the 5hp like mine, I'm the only one with issues but I'm the only one using it in a repair shop.
 
You need to call an industrial distributor for a REAL Ingersoll Rand Compressor. My company bought one last year, real nice, 7.5 HP upright with 80 gallon rec. tank.
 
Actually the JD lawn tractors at HD are exactly the
same as at the JD dealer. The JD dealer
(unwittingly) has a contract to set up the mowers
and do warranty and repairs on them. JD is about
making money and has pretty much forced the issue on
their dealers. The HD mowers here have a sticker
from the JD dealer on them. The higher end lawn
tractors are only available at JD dealers.
 
As you have found out, these are not industrial grade machines. The SSL/SSR are high end home use machines at best.
 
Yep, the pump isn't the only place they cheap out. IR tends to uprate their smaller pumps by putting a 3hp pump on a 5hp compressor then running the snot out of them with a 3450rpm motor. Then they have the gall to call it a 100% duty cycle machine. That IR synthetic oil must be some good stuff. i put one of these in the control room of a gas well about 12 years ago. It was replacing another 3hp-5hp compressor that had failed. I cringed when I fired it up....
 
I don't know what makes you think Quincy is so great... got a model 212 my Dad bought in '52 and it needs a valve job already...
 
The electric motors on the newer home shop air compressors are now rated in horse power at stall instead continuous output. So when shopping you should look at amp rating instead of hp.

Dusty
 
I think unless there is a wistle blower from Tractor Supply upper management here you will never know if the company is having Ingersol Rand build lessor quality compressors for them. I bought a T30 compressor directly from Ingersol Rand in the mid 1990's and it is still working fine. I would recommend Ingersol Rand. Another good brand is Speedair but they are more expensive.
 
I bought one of their rotary compressors in 1990 for the US Government. It's still in operation.
I bought it thru a government contractor so I didn't need to get bids. Had I had put it thru the government it's hard to say what we ended up with. Hal
 
Yea, even though it says in the description (designed for the professional) and they give it 100% duty rating. I pretty much knew once it got here that it was kinda chinese.
 
My Quincey compressor has an oil pump,and pressure
gauge, and runs 15 PSI oil pressure. Most less
expensive,(cheaper)compressors have only splash
lubracation !
 
Geeze GG thought you possibly headed for warmer climates as hadn"t seen you on in a while. Actually composed E-mail during lunch hour today but got disturbed and forgot to send it.
 
Ok...first of all the Deere mowers are the same. I work in the
factory where they are built. There is no difference in the ones
at Home Depot, Lowes, or the dealer. None,zero,zilch.
Secondly the last IR compressor I used from TSC would make
a good water pump because it pumped more water than air it
seemed.
 
Here is the story straight from the I-R rep. They are all the same once you get into the 7.5 hp range. If it was a special TSC model it would have TS in front of the model number. Same would be true for other companies.
I asked why I should buy it straight from I-R rather than TSC. I-R was $2400 and TSC is $1900 so what was the difference. Well, I-R comes with a startup kit. That would be compressor oil and an air filter. For all I know TSC comes with it, too. The other thing is I-R offers a 2 year warranty on the pump. IMO, big deal. If it doesn't fail in the first year you are probably good for the next 5.

Our JD dealer must be better than the throw away Deeres. They don't have many little machines on the floor.
 
It's up to each dealer what models they want to carry, but of
someone buys one from Lowes or Home Depot it's still the
dealer that come out and gives it an inspection and set up for
the owner. The compressor I was referring to from TSC that I
used I thought the problem was it the pump was turning to
fast. I have one that is the same size tank that I built but I put a
bigger compressor on mine that turns less rpm's than the IR
from TSC and I have no where near the problem with moisture
with mine. I figure they turn the pump faster to compensate for
it not really be a big enough pump. But the downside is it heats
the air up to much and when it cools down in the tank and
lines you got water.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top