Ingersoll Rand vs Kaeser rotary screw compressor

[AMMengineer]

I'm currently working for small manufacturing company and we're looking into upgrading our current shop air systems. Right now we have have an IR reciprocating air compressor and it can barely keep up with the CFM demand of the shop as it only puts out about 14 and we're also adding some equipment to the floor here pretty soon so. We use it for sandblasting and PPE air system, general shop air, a CNC, and a mill. We've had a few small issues with the IR compressor, a dryer they sold us, and the customer service has been mediocre at best. We're kind of looking into Kaeser who recommended a rotary screw compressor but unsure as to whether or not we should switch over or stick with IR. Any advice? Warnings?

 

[Strostkovy]

Our Ingersoll Rand screw compressor has nothing but issues. It leaks oil from just about everywhere, and the refrigerant escaped the integrated dryer

 

[John Garner]

No hands-on experience with IR compressors myself, but what I've heard over the last 40+ years from those who have such experience can be fairly summed up by a two-word phrase: "Never again!"

 

[DrHook]

I have a Kaeser SX 5T at work, and all it does is sit in the corner and whisper every now and then, and keep me supplied with dry air.

 

[kb0thn]

I have a Kaeser Airtower 5C screw compressor with integrated dryer. It works and makes air. Not as quiet as some. Build quality is very good. Service from the company is expensive, but if you want it, they will have a technician there the next day. The only issues we have had is that the air dryer runs from a separate circuit and the internal fuse blew for some reason. There is no interlock between dryer and compressor, so it continued to supply wet air to the building and we had to get a bunch of water out of the lines. Replacing the fuse (with a slightly bigger fuse) solved the problem. But I wish they just ran from the same circuit or at least had something more than a dimly lit LED to show the dryer is online.

 

[John Garner]

gwilley --

Saylor-Beall compressors seem to be getting better reviews than Quincy over the last few years.

 

[moonlight machine]

gwilley --

Saylor-Beall compressors seem to be getting better reviews than Quincy over the last few years.

My Saylor Beall is awesome. If you need a screw get a Kaeser, had 2 at work and they did nothing but compress more air than you could ever use.

 

[Shaybuilder]

I posted about my experience with a new IR compressor I bought last Fall. I paid for their extended warranty and it failed in the first month. Tried to contact IR but never got anyone to answer the phone. Sent Email's and no answer. I finally contacted MSC where I purchased the compressor from and they said that they would contact IR. After several days MSC said that they couldn't contact IR either and they gave me a complete refund. IR compressors are a piece of SHIT now, not like the old ones from 30 years ago. IR even had a big sticker on the compressor stating proudly assembled in the USA, they didn't mention that the parts they were assembling were inferior foreign crap.

 

[dana gear]

Lets skip to the point, Ingersoll Rand is pure JUNK, it's certainly not the company it was pre 1970. There air driers are garbage, Rotary screws are not any better then the drier.
There field and factory support are horrible. How do I know, we had Recip and rotatry as well as there unigy VFD rotary all junk. One day I snapped and had Kaeser change out everything Rotary and Quincy on everything Recip, Never been happier.

 

[Strostkovy]

I have a reciprocating IR. The tank cracked right out of warranty. The pressure switch stuck closed at a different point. I will never leave an unattended compressor on ever again. Also will never buy another Ingersoll Rand. Quincy or Kaiser for me next time.
I did some work at John Deere harvester plant in the paint department. They had twin screw Ingersolls, always puking oil and water all over the floor. I work for another plant from time to time, seems like their Ingersolls are always down. Must be why they have 4.
I work at a different plant that has a bank of Kaeser twin screws that run 24/7/365. Never heard of them having an issue. Not to say they don't, just never heard of it.

We also had a pressure switch stick closed on our IR piston compressor. Very loud when the overpressure valve pops off.