What to Look for When Buying a Used Sullair Compressor
Sullair air compressors are renowned for legendary durability and long air-end service life, particularly when operated with the proprietary Sullube® fluid and maintained on factory-recommended service intervals. A well-maintained Sullair can deliver decades of reliable compressed air. Here is what to inspect on used units.
Inspect the air end (rotary screw element). The air end is the heart of any Sullair compressor and the most expensive component to rebuild or replace. Check total running hours, ask for the maintenance log, and listen for any unusual whine, knock, or vibration during operation. Verify the discharge air temperature is in the normal operating range, and check that the air end has not been run on degraded fluid (which is the most common cause of premature air-end failure). On older units, confirm any prior air-end rebuild or replacement history.
Verify capacity, pressure, and discharge condition. Confirm the unit delivers its rated CFM at its rated PSIG (typical Sullair industrial models run 100, 125, 150 PSIG, with high-pressure portables to 500 PSIG). Check the air/fluid separator element condition, separator tank, and verify the cooler core for cleanliness and any signs of oil weeping. Inspect the moisture separator and condensate drain function.
Check the controller, drive, and electrical. Confirm the Sullair controller (older Supervisor, newer touch-screen Supervisor or Sullair AirLinx interfaces) boots, communicates with sensors, and logs run hours accurately. On variable speed drive (VSD) units, verify the inverter for fault codes, capacitor health, and motor compatibility. Inspect contactors, starter, and any star-delta or wye-delta switching gear on larger units.
Check the motor, drive, and oil cooler. Verify motor bearing condition, listen for noise during startup and at full load, and inspect the drive coupling or belt drive depending on model. On portable diesel-driven units, check engine hours, diesel motor health (Cummins, John Deere, Kubota, or Caterpillar depending on year and HP), trailer chassis, and tires.
Sullair Compressor Series
ShopTek (ST) Series Shop Compressors
The Sullair ShopTek series is the workhorse for machine shops and small-to-medium manufacturing. Introduced in 2008, the ShopTek lineup includes the ST15, ST20, ST30, ST40, and larger HP configurations. ShopTek units combine reliable rotary screw performance with shop-friendly footprint and serviceability.
S-energy Stationary Industrial Compressors
The Sullair S-energy series is the brand's premium industrial line. Introduced in 2006 (and named Plant Engineering Product of the Year that year), S-energy units offer fixed-speed and variable speed drive (VSD) configurations. Common HP ratings include 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 100, 125, and 150 HP.
TS Series Two-Stage Industrial Compressors
The Sullair TS Series (TS-20, TS-25, TS-32) is Sullair's heavy-duty two-stage tandem air-end industrial platform, typically 200 HP and larger. TS units offer variable capacity control for part-load energy efficiency and are deployed in large manufacturing plants, mining, and energy applications.
LS Series & DSP Production Compressors
The Sullair LS Series production compressors and the DSP (Direct-drive Single-stage Premium) units cover the mid-range industrial market with high-efficiency rotary screw designs and integrated air treatment options.
Portable Diesel-Driven Compressors
Sullair portable diesel-driven towable compressors (185, 260, 375, 425, 750, 900) are construction-industry workhorses, and the larger 1300 and 1320 series serve mining, oil and gas, and emergency rescue. The 1965 founding product line was a portable, and Sullair portables have been deployed worldwide ever since. The 500 PSIG high-pressure portable, introduced in 2003, was the industry first in its class.
Oil-Free Compressors
Sullair offers oil-free scroll, dry screw, and centrifugal compressors for applications requiring contaminant-free air (food processing, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, electronics, paint booths).
How to Sell Your Used Sullair
Sullair compressors hold strong resale value thanks to the brand's legendary durability, the Hitachi-backed global service network, and active demand from manufacturers, contractors, and rental fleets. ShopTek, S-energy, and TS Series stationary units along with 185, 375, 750, and 1300 portables are in particularly steady demand.
Resell CNC buys used Sullair air compressors, every model and every generation, nationwide.
- Contact us at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com.
- Free appraisal within 24 hours, no obligation.
- Accept the offer and we handle rigging, transport, and logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Used Sullair Compressors
Is Sullair still in business?
Yes. Sullair has manufactured continuously since 1965 in Michigan City, Indiana. In April 2017 Sullair was acquired by Hitachi and now operates as Sullair, A Hitachi Group Company within Hitachi Global Air Power, with manufacturing in Michigan City plus Suzhou and Shenzhen, China.
Are used Sullair compressors reliable?
Yes. Sullair built its reputation on legendary air-end durability and long service life. Many original Sullair units from the 1980s and 1990s are still running daily in industrial facilities, particularly when maintained with Sullube® fluid and serviced on the factory-recommended interval.
What is the Sullair air end warranty?
Sullair was the first compressor manufacturer to offer a standard 5-year air end warranty and today offers a 10-year air end warranty on new units. Used units typically retain remaining warranty coverage based on hours and service history. Confirm warranty status with Sullair or an authorized service partner before purchase.
What should I inspect on a used Sullair?
Air end hours and any rebuild history, separator element and tank condition, cooler core, controller boot and sensor function, VSD inverter health on variable speed units, motor bearings, drive coupling or belt, and fluid history. On portables, check engine hours, trailer chassis, and tires.
What is the difference between Sullair ShopTek and S-energy?
ShopTek is Sullair's shop and light-industrial line, designed for machine shops and small-to-medium manufacturing with reliable fixed-speed rotary screw performance. S-energy is Sullair's premium industrial line with broader HP coverage and variable speed drive options for part-load energy efficiency.
How do I sell my used Sullair?
Contact Resell CNC at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com. We buy every Sullair model: ShopTek, S-energy, TS, LS, DSP, oil-free systems, and portable diesel-driven units of all CFM ratings. Free appraisal within 24 hours.