Compressors on this page are rated roughly 113 to 137 CFM, and all of them are rotary screws: the Chicago Pneumatic QRS30 at 114 CFM, the CPBG 25 HP at 113 CFM and 30 HP at 130 CFM, the CPVSd 25 HP variable speed at 125 CFM, the Atlas Copco G22 30 HP at 128 CFM, and the Atlas Copco GA18, GA22 and GA26 at 120 to 135 CFM depending on pressure rating. Base mounted and 120 or 132 gallon tank mounted versions are listed, with or without an integrated dryer.

What 125 CFM supports

A plant with 30 to 40 air stations, a plastics or packaging line with several pneumatic machines cycling at once, a machining floor with six or more CNC machines on air blast, a powder coating line, or a large fleet shop. Two 1/4 inch blast nozzles at 100 PSI also use about 125 CFM.

Why there is no piston option here

The largest simplex piston we list makes about 102 CFM. Above 100 CFM the rotary screw wins on duty cycle, noise, pressure stability and energy per CFM, so this is the first size where every machine on the page is a screw.

Fixed speed or variable speed

A 30 HP fixed speed screw such as the QRS30, CPBG 30 or G22 is the cheapest way to make 125 CFM when the plant runs near full load all shift. The CPVSd 25 HP variable speed unit saves energy when demand averages 50 to 70 percent of the rating. Check the pressure rating on each variant: the GA22 makes 134 CFM at 125 PSI but 128 CFM at 150 PSI.

Power and installation

A 30 HP motor draws about 40 amps at 460 volt or 80 amps at 230 volt. Plan on three phase 460 volt service, a compressor room with ducted cooling air in summer, and a receiver of at least 120 gallons.

Dryer sizing

Pair a 125 CFM compressor with a 150 CFM refrigerated air dryer. A cycling refrigerated dryer pays back quickly at this size when demand varies through the day.

Related pages

• 100 CFM air compressors
• 150 CFM air compressors
• 20 to 50 HP rotary screw air compressors
• Shop all sizes by CFM