Ingersoll Rand Air Compressors

[ForceFed70]

Who's got one? Are you happy with it?

In particular - Single Stage 5HP
http://www.ingersollrandproducts.co...-air-compressors/electric-driven-single-stage

Was all set to pick up an IR air compressor from my local tool supply house, when I checked the reviews. About a 50/50 split of people who were very happy, and people who were very unhappy because the electric motor died.

Sounds like they have big problems with their electric motors. But I had always looked at IR as making quality tools.

What have your experiences been? Should I look at something else?
I'm just looking for a basic 5hp single stage compressor.

 

[waggie]

I have the SS5L5, bought it brand new from Northern tool.

Had to warranty it once, the valves went bad after 8 months or so. Warranty is all fine and good, but most of the service companies that associate with IR were all industrial companies that service "real compressors" for power companies and such. The smallest compressor they service is 5hp, which they see one every several years. They charge $125/hr, begin when they leave their shop. So, save your receipts and make sure you get your warranty work done before it runs out. Besides being not very happy with the company that came out to repair the compressor, it's been a very reliable unit. I've had it for about 3 or 4 years. Seeing that you're buying from a local tool supply, warranty shouldn't be too much of a hassle.

no problem with the electric motor at all.

 

[930dreamer]

I don't think the newer IR products can hold a candle to the older ones.

 

[Rodhotz]

I have had the 7hp 80 gal tank one for the past 22 years and put it through hell and back and it is still going strong getting used everyday, i just picked up a 5hp 60 gal tank one for my other shop and it works great also.

 

[macdabs]

I was at Tractor Supply and talked to the sales clerk about the IR compressors. He said they had a few problems and the service was terrible out of the warranty dept. I ended up purchasing a Jenny . USA made with everything powder coated , I love it so far.

Mac

 

[KERTWOOD]

I have no complaints so far. here's one I've had for a few years. It's a 92 model.

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[KERTWOOD]

Sorry for the huge photo. Uploaded from photobucket.

 

[Bobf]

I also have the IR SSL5 purchased from Northern Tool (free shipping) back in 2005. I don't use it too often, mainly for air to a CNC mill and manual lathe and other hobby/auto stuff. Once I read some of the reviews I became a little concerned but so far no problems. I recently picked up a HF blast cabinet so it will tax it quite a bit more, but the warranty is gone now.

 

[HTGTS350]

Ive got an EL17 ive had for about 10 years and its great.

 

[Fixnair]

I/R used to be one of the best compressors on the market. When the big box stores started selling the Chinese ****, I/R outsourced their manufacturing to China to compete. Quality suffered immensely. Their quality is no better than Harbor Freight or Lowes. Sad!

 

[Steevo]

I/R used to be one of the best compressors on the market. When the big box stores started selling the Chinese ****, I/R outsourced their manufacturing to China to compete. Quality suffered immensely. Their quality is no better than Harbor Freight or Lowes. Sad!

This is true of their consumer-grade units like the OP posted above, but their industrial compressor pumps are still some of the best available.

 

[OldH1]

I picked up the below IR for $350.00 brand new...my former company is selling them...most have less than 10 hours on them...

Ingersoll Rand Commercial Heavy Duty 30 Gallon, 5.7 CFM @ 90 PSI / 4.9 CFM @ 135 PSI Stationary Air Compressor...model number PT1592060

There are four or five of them left if anyone is interested....they are located in Huntsville AL. 35824.

 

[Davefr]

Who's got one? Are you happy with it?

Yes, I have a 5HP 60 gallon Model T21.

No, I hate it. After a little over a year the valves failed and I had to rebuild the valve assembly. It cost me around $250 in overpriced IR parts.

A few years ago it blew a head gasket. IR discontinued the part so I had to make one.

I would never buy an IR compressor again.

 

[All]

The IR T30 style compressor is the one to get. The T30 is the model that folks brag about getting 60 years of service from, dating back to the 1930's. The T30 comes in many iterations and pump capacities over the decades, but all are V configuration two stage separated cylinder pumps. Kertwood's picture of the gray compressor is a T30.

On the other hand, the IR T21 style compressor as complained about in the posts above, is the one to avoid. The T21 pump is not a "V". It is a siamesed side by side vertically joined cylinder configuration. I was trying to find a picture to show what the T21 pump looked like, and did a google search. The image search didn't reveal much, but the regular search led to legions of similar complaints about the T21 pump. It would not be surprising if Ingersoll Rand discontinued it, as reported above.

The key point here is not to throw the baby out with the bath water. The relevantly recent (1999?) introduction and subsequent demise of the short lived IR T21 pump should not dissuade people from feeling confident about the reliability and service life of the T30 pump, which is entering it's 85th year in production now.

 

[Kenneth S]

Been awhile since I posted here, but anyways my brother is building him a shop, and he is looking at the I/R 7 1/2 hp, 2 stage, 80 gallon upright compressor from Tractor Supply. When he went to look at one yesterday to see what brand electric motor was on it (he was aware of junk emerson motors from a few years ago). The motor on the compressor he looked at had a Ingersoll Rand electric motor on it, anyone now who makes them for I/R, or did I/R buy a company that makes electric motors?

This is the one he's looking at http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/ingersoll-randreg%3B-75-hp-80-gallon-two-stage-air-compressor#BVRRWidgetID It is the "V-Twin" style compressor.

 

[stonesfan68]

I/R used to be one of the best compressors on the market. When the big box stores started selling the Chinese ****, I/R outsourced their manufacturing to China to compete. Quality suffered immensely. Their quality is no better than Harbor Freight or Lowes. Sad!

The single-stage pumps are actually made in the USA.

They are "consumer" grade products that are just fine for home use. The problem is that most consumers (and the sales people at the Big Box stores) don't know anything about air compressors, buy on price alone, and tend to run these machines too hard. The single-stage machine is meant for a 60% duty cycle- 6 minutes on and 4 minutes off. If you are sand-blasting or using a DA sander or any other air hog then the SS3 & SS5 are not for you.

The small reciprocating (5-25HP) 2-stage pumps are made in India and have been for years. This is the "Type 30" or "T30" line of machines. They are an excellent product meant for industrial applications. My company has put them on oil rigs in the GOM and elsewhere.

The motors for the 5, 7.5 and 10HP compressors are made by either Emerson or WEG (Brazil).

 

[Kenneth S]

The motors for the 5, 7.5 and 10HP compressors are made by either Emerson or WEG (Brazil).

Is there anyway to tell, like a number or something on the motor tag that tell if it's made by Emerson, or WEG. (still leery on the Emerson motors). Thanks.

 

[stonesfan68]

Is there anyway to tell, like a number or something on the motor tag that tell if it's made by Emerson, or WEG. (still leery on the Emerson motors). Thanks.

I don't know of any way to tell, sorry.

 

[ForceFed70]

The IR T30 style compressor is the one to get. The T30 is the model that folks brag about getting 60 years of service from, dating back to the 1930's. The T30 comes in many iterations and pump capacities over the decades, but all are V configuration two stage separated cylinder pumps. Kertwood's picture of the gray compressor is a T30.

On the other hand, the IR T21 style compressor as complained about in the posts above, is the one to avoid. The T21 pump is not a "V". It is a siamesed side by side vertically joined cylinder configuration. I was trying to find a picture to show what the T21 pump looked like, and did a google search. The image search didn't reveal much, but the regular search led to legions of similar complaints about the T21 pump. It would not be surprising if Ingersoll Rand discontinued it, as reported above.

The key point here is not to throw the baby out with the bath water. The relevantly recent (1999?) introduction and subsequent demise of the short lived IR T21 pump should not dissuade people from feeling confident about the reliability and service life of the T30 pump, which is entering it's 85th year in production now.

After a little more research - It sounds like you are correct.

The modern T30 compressors seem to have a much happier user base.

I was only wanting a single stage - but I'm thinking I'll go with a 2-stage T30 model. It's 505 more expensive ($1600 vs $1100) but I think it's worth it. I want to get something that will push enough air for whatever task I throw at it and last me a lifetime so it's probably worth the extra bucks.

 

[E.Marquez]

IR SSL5 here, use it everyday, 4 years old now.. done several oil changes, still on first set of belts.
I did trip the motor thermal switch one summer after about 3 hours of continuous use in 110 heat.

I added a small dual 10" window fan on top, that blows air down and across the motor and compressor.

Ball valve drain that dumps outside, emptied once a day, or when I remember.

Never really turned off unless I leave town...

Runs for hours at

 

[trbomax]

This 1936 t-30 has been in the family since it was new.It has had several different motors over the years,but the pump has never had a wrench on it other than oil changes.I'm pretty sure this one was made in the USA.