Answering Common Questions About Buying Used Rotary Air Compressors

Purchasing a used rotary air compressor can feel a bit overwhelming given the number of questions that pop up along the way: Are we getting a good price? Can this fit our application? Is any part of this due for service?

These are all reasonable concerns to have. Luckily, our team has decades of experience dealing with used compressors and wanted to share answers from some of our most-frequent questions. 

What to ask

1. What's the voltage of this compressor? Make sure it fits within your preferred application. 
   
   
2. What's the horsepower? Don't be fooled by a good deal — buying something too large could cause a major bump in energy costs and dwarf any savings of buying a used machine. 
   
   
3. How many hours are on the machine? Most rotary screw compressors require a major overhaul between 50,000 and 70,000 hours on the airend. This can cost anywhere between $2,500 and $10,000 depending on the brand and size, a price that typically excludes the replacement of lubricant and filters. 
   
   
4. Does it run? It might sound foolish, but this is an important question. Like buying a used car, there can be major mechanical problems hidden within a pristine-looking machine. 
   
   
5. Why are you selling it? Similar to the question above, this is a good way to see if there are known problems and if you're getting a fair price.
   
   
6. Does it come with a warranty? While new units will typically offer the best warranty options, some used machines can have their own guarantee.
   
   

What you should pay

Unfortunately, there's no hard and fast rule here. Our team generally recommends paying between $125 to $200 per horsepower on a machine. Therefore, a used 25 horsepower rotary screw compressor should cost you somewhere between $3,125 and $5,000. 

All of this, of course, depends on the condition of the machine and who you're buying it from. 

A matrix to follow

Horsepower    Fair Condition    Great Condition

10                    $1,250.00           $2,000.00
15                    $1,875.00           $3,000.00
20                    $2,500.00           $4,000.00
25                    $3,125.00           $5,000.00
30                    $3,750.00           $6,000.00
40                    $5,000.00           $8,000.00
50                    $6,250.00           $10,000.00
60                    $7,500.00           $12,000.00
75                    $9,375.00           $15,000.00
100                  $12,500.00         $20,000.00

* Remember, there are some air compressor brands that you could buy new at some of these "great" prices.  Do your research! These are only a few tips to help you when considering a used compressor for your shop.