IR Compressors....India vs China?

[Jason280]

Made a few laps through Tractor Supply today, killing time with my two boys, and we checked out some of the Ingersoll Rand vertical compressors. I have an older 80gal with the SS5 pump, these were all 60gal with TS5 pumps. Interesting thing I noticed, they had two models with the TS5 pumps.....one was made in India, the other was made in China. Same basic nameplate, but just a hair difference between the two (each had different oil fill plugs).

So, I guess the question becomes, which would be the better model? I have zero interest in either, just curious if there will be any difference between the two....India or China?

 

[Skin]

A lot of hate for both countries here but India has been in the casting/metal foundry business for decades so...personally between the two that would be my blind choice. You'd have to open the pumps to see if there is any real difference like bearing quality or any difference in cylinder liners.

 

[bsaint]

Black IR pumps are generally imported and less quality than the gray ones which are usually made in the states. You can tell the difference because a black T30 pump is a quarter of the price of a gray one. What adds price? Mostly QC time, longer to manufacture tighter tolerances, union quality, etc etc.

 

[Finky198]

I will look at our 2475 when I get to the shop, But I would imagine there little difference in the working internals of the unit... whether its India of china...

When was the last time they made grey ones other then the large 15hp and up rated units... I haven't seen a New USA (grey) t30 in 10 or dare I say 15 years.......
unless it was old stock???

 

[bsaint]

Usually they are sold from local compressor houses. Grainger sells them to. IR 2340 is $1508 pump only.

https://www.grainger.com/product/INGERSOLL-RAND-Splash-Lubricated-Air-Compressor-WP172128/_/N-aeqZ1z0aqabZ1z0r4ya/Ntt-air+compressor+pump?EndecaKeyword=air+compressor+pump&NLSCM=5&searchRedirect=air+compressor+pump&sst=All&s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/4KR37_AS01?$smthumb$

 

[md21722]

Usually they are sold from local compressor houses. Grainger sells them to. IR 2340 is $1508 pump only.

https://www.grainger.com/product/INGERSOLL-RAND-Splash-Lubricated-Air-Compressor-WP172128/_/N-aeqZ1z0aqabZ1z0r4ya/Ntt-air+compressor+pump?EndecaKeyword=air+compressor+pump&NLSCM=5&searchRedirect=air+compressor+pump&sst=All&s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/4KR37_AS01?$smthumb$

I wouldn't judge based on Grainger's pictures. Sometimes they are accurate and sometimes not. If you've bought one and gotten one that was gray that's a different story.

 

[md21722]

Made a few laps through Tractor Supply today, killing time with my two boys, and we checked out some of the Ingersoll Rand vertical compressors. I have an older 80gal with the SS5 pump, these were all 60gal with TS5 pumps. Interesting thing I noticed, they had two models with the TS5 pumps.....one was made in India, the other was made in China. Same basic nameplate, but just a hair difference between the two (each had different oil fill plugs).

So, I guess the question becomes, which would be the better model? I have zero interest in either, just curious if there will be any difference between the two....India or China?

I doubt it matters. IR's smaller compressors have been severely cheapened up over time. Finky198 said it well.

 

[bsaint]

I wouldn't judge based on Grainger's pictures. Sometimes they are accurate and sometimes not. If you've bought one and gotten one that was gray that's a different story.

From experience I know what Im talking about.

 

[Finky198]

Even if they still sell "new USA t30" units that dosen't necessarily mean that they are still in currently producing them today? It could be that grainger just has 1000s of stockpiled new units. Its not like they can't sell them due to lack of support or an experation date...

The best way to find out would just be to call IR I guess...

 

[md21722]

From experience I know what Im talking about.

I have bought pumps from them that look different than the picture so I know what I'm talking about too.

 

[shannonw]

It’s not just the black pumps. I have a matco branded 60gal IR t30, it’s from the 90’s. It aint’ just the pump that’s the different, they had a grey t30 and a baldor. After loosing a motor on a black ss5 i went looking for an older unit as i’ve seen more threads on the motors failing on those than anything just check amazon reviews and google ingersol rand emerson (though it’s been a few years maybe they changed)..either way i think those motors they put on all of these new things are maxed out and it’s just a luck of the draw.

 

[md21722]

The SS5 is a single stage pump. It doesn't really matter what color it is. Value line at big box stores these days. You can buy WEG and Baldor 5HP 1725 RPM motors for $300-350 on eBay. TEFC motors cost more. These are real deal motors, not some fake Chinese **** with a name brand slapped on.

 

[Finky198]

yeah the 7.5HP runs a monstrous sized Weg motor... that sucker was heavy...

I think alot of guys knock on these newer 7.5hp IR compressor most likely cause their not made in the USA anymore, but I think if you can get a deal there a fairly good value esp if you maintain it well i don't see there be any issues....

That said

I do agree that SS5 is not up to par I think in that price range there are absolutely better options... If you do a bit of research they have a had very bad track record with that model.

 

[anndel]

Black IR pumps are generally imported and less quality than the gray ones which are usually made in the states. You can tell the difference because a black T30 pump is a quarter of the price of a gray one. What adds price? Mostly QC time, longer to manufacture tighter tolerances, union quality, etc etc.

I don't know about that but I've seen a bunch of Dayton motors made in china, even a bunch being sold at Grainger.