Buy new and second-hand CompAir construction compressors and compressed air systems – a wide selection of mobile screw compressors from the C Series, available directly from specialist dealers. We mainly stock CompAir as mobile construction compressors: compact units such as the C14 and C20 for one to two tools, the popular 750-kg models C38 and C50, larger trailer-mounted compressors such as the C76 and high-performance units from the TurboScrew range – each listing includes the year of manufacture, operating hours, air delivery and pressure. We categorise the brand’s stationary screw compressors and compressed air dryers under compressed air technology. Supplied by Kraus Baumaschinen in Frankenthal and GSK Baumaschinen in Hanhofen; the stock is constantly changing.
CompAir at a glance
CompAir is a long-established British brand specialising in compressed air and gas technology. It was formed in 1968 through the merger of two compressor manufacturers: Holman from Camborne in Cornwall, whose origins date back to a boiler-making business founded in 1801, and BroomWade, founded in High Wycombe in 1898. The joint venture was initially named International Compressed Air Corporation; according to the company, the name CompAir was taken from a BroomWade apprenticeship magazine. CompAir later became part of Siebe (1985) and, following the merger with BTR, part of Invensys; in 2002, it was acquired by the private equity firm Alchemy Partners. The group’s headquarters were most recently based in Redditch, England.
In October 2008, the US manufacturer Gardner Denver acquired CompAir for around 200 million pounds. In 2020, Gardner Denver merged with the industrial division of Ingersoll-Rand and has since been known as Ingersoll Rand; CompAir is now a brand of this group, headquartered in Davidson (North Carolina). In Germany, Simmern in the Hunsrück region is the most important site: there, CompAir develops and manufactures, amongst other things, the compressor stages for screw compressors, and following the 2020 merger, further manufacturing capacity was relocated there.
The CompAir portfolio – new and used
The overview shows the equipment groups with the current model ranges and the models most frequently traded second-hand. You can see which units are currently on offer in the listings on this page.
| Equipment type | Current model ranges (new) | Frequently traded second-hand | Here at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small portable compressors | C10-12, C14, C20, C30 (up to 3 m³/min, 7–14 bar) | C20, C30, C14 | Construction compressors |
| Mobile compressors up to 750 kg | C35-10, C38, C42, C50 (3.5–5 m³/min, 5–14 bar) | C38, C35, C50 | Construction compressors |
| Medium-sized mobile compressors | C55-14, C62-12, C76 (5.5–7.6 m³/min, 5–14 bar) | C76, C62 | Construction compressors |
| Large mobile compressors | C85-14, C105-10, C115-12, C140-9 | C105, C200, C210 | Construction compressors |
| High performance and high pressure | TurboScrew C200TS-24 to C270TS-9 (up to 27 m³/min, up to 24 bar) | C200 TS, C160 TS-12, C270 | Construction compressors |
| Electrically powered construction compressors | Elec50 (up to 5 m³/min, 30 kW) | – | Construction compressors |
| Stationary screw compressors, oil-lubricated | 2 to 250 kW, fixed and variable speed control, including the L series | individual units | Screw compressors |
| Oil-free screw compressors | single-stage 15–37 kW, two-stage up to 355 kW | individual | Screw compressors |
| Compressed air treatment and tools | Refrigeration and adsorption dryers, heat recovery, compressed air tools | – | Compressed air dryers, pneumatic tools |
What the CompAir model designation reveals
With mobile compressors, the naming convention is straightforward: the letter ‘C’ is followed by the air delivery rate in tenths of a cubic metre per minute. A C14 delivers around 1.4 m³/min, a C38 3.8 m³/min, a C76 7.6 m³/min and a C270TS around 27 m³/min. For many models, the number after the hyphen indicates the operating pressure in bar: the C55-14 is rated for up to 14 bar, the C270TS-9 for 9 bar, and the C200TS-24 for 24 bar. Without any suffix, most units are standard compressors rated at 7 bar. ‘TS’ stands for TurboScrew – in this series, an additional turbocharger pre-compresses the intake air before it reaches the screw stage, thereby reducing weight and fuel consumption. Additional letters on older units indicate equipment variants; the options fitted (such as a generator or aftercooler) are specified in the advert. Our guide ‘Choosing a construction compressor’ explains how pressure and air flow rate should be matched to the tool.
| Model | Specifications | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| C14 | 1.4 m³/min, 7 bar, approx. 165 kg, Honda engine with 15.5 kW | light-duty hammer, DIY, gardening and landscaping |
| C20 / C30 | approx. 2–3 m³/min, 5–14 bar | one or two demolition hammers, paving work |
| C38 | 3.8 m³/min, 7 bar, Yanmar diesel (currently 35 kW, Stage V) | CompAir’s best-selling model: civil engineering, two breakers, rental fleet |
| C35-10 / C50 | 3.5–5 m³/min, 5–14 bar depending on model, 750 kg class | various tools, hammer drills, unbraked trailer |
| C55-14 / C76 | 5.5–7.6 m³/min, 7–14 bar, approx. 1.2–1.35 t | Sandblasting, spraying, pipework construction |
| C85-14 to C140-9 | up to approx. 13 m³/min, 9–14 bar, 90–105 kW | Blasting, drilling, pressure testing |
| C200TS-24 | 20 m³/min, up to 24 bar | Well and geothermal drilling, pipeline construction |
| C270TS-9 | 27 m³/min, 9 bar, approx. 3.5 t | Drilling, shotcrete, pipeline construction |
What we look for in a second-hand CompAir
Screw stage and oil circuit: The compressor stage is the heart of the unit. Have the oil level and condition, separator cartridge, and air and oil filters checked; the compressor should maintain the rated pressure after running in and unload cleanly. Water in the oil indicates long periods of inactivity or condensation problems.
Engine and exhaust system: Newer C-series models are fitted with Yanmar diesel engines compliant with Stage V; older units, such as the C76 manufactured between 2008 and 2015, are fitted with Cummins engines, amongst others. Check the cold start, smoke emissions and operating hours against the maintenance record; pay attention to the emission standard for low-emission zones and construction sites with specific requirements.
Chassis and documentation: The drawbar, overrun brake, lighting and tyres are as much a part of the compressor as the stage. For road use, you will need the chassis registration documents, along with proof of CE conformity and the operating instructions. For units with a generator, ensure that an electrical inspection in accordance with DGUV Regulation 3 has been carried out.
Equipment: Aftercoolers, filters for oil-free compressed air, generators, hose reels or anti-freeze equipment increase the unit’s utility. Compare the air delivery rate stated in the advert with the requirements of your tools – a compressor that is too small is more expensive to run continuously than one of a suitable size.
CompAir with us: Dealers and stock
Kraus Baumaschinen in Frankenthal stocks the majority of our CompAir range: mobile construction compressors of various sizes, both new and used. GSK Baumaschinen in Hanhofen supplements this with further CompAir construction compressors. You can find comparable units under Atlas Copco, Kaeser and Doosan; units from the same group can be found under Ingersoll Rand.
Frequently asked questions about CompAir
What does the number in CompAir compressor models such as C38 or C76 mean?
The number after the ‘C’ indicates the air delivery in tenths of a m³/min: a C38 delivers around 3.8 m³/min, a C76 around 7.6 m³/min. A number after the hyphen usually indicates the operating pressure in bar; for example, the C55-14 operates at up to 14 bar.
Which group does CompAir belong to?
CompAir was acquired by Gardner Denver in 2008. Since the merger of Gardner Denver with the industrial division of Ingersoll-Rand in 2020, the group has been known as Ingersoll Rand; CompAir continues to operate as a separate brand.
Which CompAir compressor is the most commonly traded second-hand?
On the major second-hand marketplaces, the C38 is by far the most common, followed by smaller units such as the C20 and C30, as well as the larger C76 and the TurboScrew models centred around the C200. Consequently, there is a good supply of filters and wear parts.
Which CompAir compressor can be towed without a brake?
CompAir offers the C35-10 to C50 series in a version up to 750 kg, which may be towed without a brake; the smaller units, the C14 to C30, are also well below this limit. The decisive factors are the weight stated on the vehicle registration certificate and the towing capacity of the towing vehicle.
What is a CompAir TurboScrew?
The TurboScrew series (C200TS to C270TS) features an additional turbocharger that pre-compresses the air before it enters the screw stage. This enables the units to achieve up to 27 m³/min or up to 24 bar whilst remaining comparatively lightweight – making them ideal for drilling and pipeline construction.
Are there CompAir construction compressors with electric motors?
Yes, the Elec50 is a mobile compressor with a 30-kW electric motor and a capacity of up to 5 m³/min – designed for tunnels, indoor areas and construction sites with mains power where diesel emissions are to be avoided.
Does CompAir also manufacture stationary compressors?
Yes, the majority of the range consists of industrial compressors: oil-lubricated screw compressors from 2 to 250 kW, oil-free screw compressors up to 355 kW, rotary vane compressors and compressed air dryers. You can find second-hand units in the compressed air technology section under ‘Screw compressors’.
Can I lease a CompAir compressor or finance it via hire purchase?
For many listings, you can submit a non-binding leasing or hire-purchase enquiry directly. You can discuss the terms with the dealer or their financing partner; the purchase and payment are handled directly between you and the seller.
An overview of all types: Construction machinery · Related products: Construction compressors, demolition hammers and hammer drills, screw compressors