Product
Ingersoll Rand 99273906 Air Filter Element | M37 Compressor OEM Part
Genuine Ingersoll Rand 99273906 air filter element for M37 rotary screw compressors rated 6 m³/min at 0.7 MPa. 270 mm OD × 120 mm height, 2–10 μm filtration, ≥98% efficiency at ≥5 μm, with a recommended 2,000-hour service interval. Export-ready supply with OEM/ODM support and part-number verification.
- Export packaging & documentation support
- OEM / ODM customization available
- Sample and bulk order workflow
99273906 is the intake air filter element for the Ingersoll Rand M37 rotary screw air compressor. It fits inside the air filter housing at the compressor intake, upstream of the inlet valve. As the machine draws in ambient air, the filter media captures dust, grit, fibres, water mist and oil mist before they reach the airend — surface filtration stops coarse particles, depth filtration holds the finer fraction. Only clean air is allowed into the rotor mesh zone.
Filter condition directly affects airend service life. Unfiltered air allows hard particles to accelerate rotor and bearing wear and to contaminate the downstream separator element, oil filter and lubricant, shortening all three at once. A heavily loaded element also restricts intake volume, reducing delivered capacity and raising energy consumption; in extreme cases oil carry-over can lead to airend seizure. Replacing the air filter on schedule is the lowest-cost protection available for the compressor.
Key Specifications
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Part number | 99273906 |
| Product name | Air Filter Element |
| Application | Ingersoll Rand M37 rotary screw compressor |
| Machine capacity | 6 m³/min @ 0.7 MPa |
| Outer diameter | 270 mm |
| Height | 120 mm |
| Effective filtration area | Approx. 1.3 m² |
| Filtration rating | 2–10 μm |
| Filtration efficiency | ≥98% for particles ≥5 μm |
| Initial pressure drop | Approx. 0.5–1.0 kPa |
| Alarm differential pressure | 6.0–6.5 kPa |
| Recommended replacement interval | Approx. 2,000 hours or 3 months, adjusted for site conditions |
Technical Data
Filtration performance
| Parameter | Value / note |
|---|---|
| Filtration rating | 2–10 μm |
| Filtration efficiency | ≥98% for particles ≥5 μm |
| Filter classification | Not classified under HVAC filter grades (EN 779 G/M/F). Compressor intake filters are characterised to ISO 5011 by efficiency, intake restriction and dust-holding capacity. |
| Dust-holding capacity | Approx. 380 g |
Flow and restriction
| Parameter | Value / note |
|---|---|
| Rated air flow | Matched to M37 capacity of 6 m³/min @ 0.7 MPa |
| Face velocity | Approx. 0.077 m/s |
| Initial pressure drop | Approx. 0.5–1.0 kPa |
| Operating differential range | Approx. 1.0–6.0 kPa |
| Alarm / final differential pressure | 6.0–6.5 kPa |
| Restriction vs. energy | Each 1 kPa of intake restriction adds roughly 1% to machine energy consumption |
Restriction and energy consumption
At an M37 discharge pressure of 0.7 MPa (gauge) and atmospheric pressure of 101.3 kPa, intake restriction raises the compression ratio:
| Intake restriction | Compression ratio | Relative energy increase |
|---|---|---|
| 0 kPa (new element) | 7.91 | Baseline |
| 2 kPa | 8.07 | +2.0% |
| 4 kPa | 8.24 | +4.1% |
| 6 kPa (near alarm) | 8.41 | +6.3% |
From new to alarm (0 → 6 kPa), machine energy consumption rises by roughly 6% across the element's life. On a 37 kW machine running 6,000 hours per year, that is a sustained extra draw during the later part of the service interval — far more than the cost of the element itself.
Dimensions and installation
| Parameter | Value / note |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 270 mm OD × 120 mm H |
| Construction | Pleated (wound filter paper) |
| Effective filtration area | Approx. 1.3 m² |
| Pleat count | Approx. 150 |
| Pleat spacing | Approx. 4.8 mm |
| Mounting interface | End-cap located, matched to the M37 air filter assembly |
| Sealing | Face seal, axially compressed |
Procurement note: 270 mm OD and 120 mm height are the two most direct comparison dimensions when checking a replacement. The ML37 / MU37 models in the same series use 39588777 (130 mm OD × 250 mm H), a completely different size — the two are not interchangeable.
Materials
| Parameter | Value / note |
|---|---|
| Media | Imported wood-pulp filter paper (industry-typical US HV or Ahlstrom grades) |
| Media basis weight | Approx. 130 g/m² |
| Inner / outer support | Galvanised perforated steel, approx. 0.6 mm thick, open area ≥45% |
| End caps | Metal end caps (galvanised steel) with polyurethane adhesive |
| Seal | NBR (nitrile) seal ring |
| Bonding | Polyurethane (PU) hot-melt adhesive |
Operating tolerance
| Parameter | Value / note |
|---|---|
| Operating temperature | −10 to +100 °C |
| Relative humidity | ≤80% RH, no condensation |
| Burst strength | Filter paper approx. 200–400 kPa (per ISO 2758) |
| Collapse resistance | Element designed for differential pressure ≥10 kPa |
| Special functions | No flame-retardant, anti-static or moisture-resistant rating is specified for this part number |
Service life and storage
| Parameter | Value / note |
|---|---|
| Service life | Approx. 2,000 hours or 3 months |
| Actual replacement interval | Reduce to under 1,000 hours in dusty, sandy or humid conditions; follow the differential-pressure alarm |
| Storage shelf life | Approx. 2–3 years, unopened, dry and ventilated conditions |
Applicable standards
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Product standard | ISO 5011 — inlet air filters for internal combustion engines and compressors: performance testing, evaluated by efficiency, intake restriction and dust-holding capacity |
| Commonly cited test standards | ISO 2941 / 2942 / 2943 / 3723 / 3724 / 3968 |
| Note on applicability | The ISO 29xx / 37xx series are general test methods for hydraulic fluid power filter elements (collapse burst, structural integrity, material compatibility, axial load, flow fatigue, pressure drop vs. flow). Where a supplier can only cite hydraulic filter standards, request ISO 5011 data or the OEM specification sheet. |
Standard Maintenance and Installation
One person can complete the job; allow roughly 20–30 minutes.
Shut down, isolate and depressurise. Press the stop or emergency stop button, switch off the main power and apply lockout/tagout. Open the receiver tank drain valve to release system pressure and wait until the separator tank gauge reads zero. Criterion: gauge at 0 and no residual air noise.
Locate and open the air filter housing. On the M37 the filter assembly sits at the intake end of the machine. Release the housing clamp or end-cover bolts and remove the cover. Criterion: cover undistorted, clamp not seized; free a seized clamp before proceeding.
Remove the old element and inspect it. Pull the element straight out and check dust distribution and media condition. Criterion: replace immediately if the media is torn, punctured, the end cap is unbonded or the seal face is flattened — even if the interval has not elapsed. Black oily sludge on the outer surface indicates abnormal oil mist in the intake; check the upstream environment.
Clean the housing thoroughly. Wipe the inner walls and base with a lint-free cloth. Do not blow compressed air hard into the housing — this drives dust into the intake passage. Criterion: no loose dust on the walls, seal face flat and clear.
Verify the new element. Compare old and new: 270 mm OD, 120 mm height, face seal intact with no nicks, media undamaged. Criterion: all three dimensions and the visual check pass; if any item fails, do not install — re-check the part number.
Fit the new element and refit the cover. Seat the element vertically in the housing, confirming it is fully located at the base and the seal face is in contact with no trapped material. Refit the cover and tighten the clamp or bolts evenly in a diagonal sequence. Criterion: even cover-to-housing gap, no visible skew.
Start-up check. Restore power and run the machine for 5–10 minutes. Criterion: no abnormal whistle or intake noise (unusual noise usually means the seal is not compressed or the element is not seated); the air filter differential-pressure indicator sits in the green zone.
The one hard rule: never start the machine before the element is seated. Running with no element, or with an uncompressed seal, sends unfiltered air straight into the airend and can cause irreversible wear in a short time.
FAQ
Are 99273906 and 39588777 interchangeable?
No. 39588777 is for the ML37 / MU37 models and measures 130 mm OD × 250 mm H; 99273906 is for the M37 at 270 mm OD × 120 mm H. The sizes differ by more than double and will not fit the same housing. Always confirm by machine model plus part number.
How often should it be replaced?
Under standard conditions, approximately 2,000 hours or 3 months, whichever comes first. This is not a hard deadline: in heavy dust environments (cement, foundry, woodworking, mining sites) shorten it to under 1,000 hours; clean sites and low running hours may allow longer. The most reliable guide is the air filter differential-pressure indicator — replace at the alarm point.
What happens if it is not replaced?
Failure propagates through the system, and the economics are clear. As the element loads, intake restriction rises; on the compression-ratio calculation, going from 0 to 6 kPa adds roughly 6.3% to energy consumption. If the media tears or the seal fails, unfiltered air reaches the airend and dust contaminates the rotors, bearings, separator element, oil filter and lubricant at the same time — repair cost moves from the price of one element to the scale of an airend overhaul.
How do I know it is due?
Three signals: the differential-pressure indicator enters the alarm zone (approx. 6.0–6.5 kPa); on removal, the media surface is fully covered with dust and the original pleat pattern is no longer visible; and the machine shows reduced delivered capacity with rising current or energy use. Any one signal means replace.
Can the element be cleaned and reused?
Not recommended. This is a pleated paper element designed as a single-use part. Blowing compressed air from the inside out only removes surface dust; fine particles trapped in the depth of the media cannot be cleared, and the air pressure easily fractures fibres or distorts pleat spacing, creating invisible paths that let unfiltered air through. A cleaned element is often "visually clean but functionally failed" — the risk outweighs the saving.
What else should be checked when changing the air filter?
Check the differential-pressure indicator for correct response (it should reset properly after being pressed), the intake hose for cracks or looseness, the housing seal ring for ageing, and the inlet valve for correct operation. These parts work with the air filter; replacing the element alone without checking them can quickly lead to intake problems again.
Is this a genuine part?
99273906 is an Ingersoll Rand OEM part number. Order by the part number itself — it is the only unambiguous identifier. Do not order on the basis of "fits M37" or visual similarity alone.
Do all M-series models use the same air filter?
No. Air filter specifications differ across the Ingersoll Rand M series: M22 uses 39588470 (130 mm OD), M37 uses 99273906 (270 mm OD), M55 uses 39708466 (278 mm OD), and ML37 uses 39588777. The same series does not mean the same element — verify model by model.
What is the most common installation error?
Two: tightening the cover with material trapped at the seal face or with the element not fully seated, causing leakage; and tightening cover bolts in a one-sided sequence, which skews the cover and loads it unevenly. Correct practice is to confirm seating, then tighten evenly in a diagonal sequence.
Are there storage requirements for new elements?
Yes. Filter paper absorbs moisture, swells and loses efficiency, and the metal support can corrode. Store on shelving in a dry, ventilated indoor area, off the floor and away from walls, water and oil contamination. Use unopened stock within approximately 2–3 years, following first-in-first-out; long-term stockpiling is not advised.
Compatible Machine Models
| No. | Model | Machine capacity | Element OD × H |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M37 | 6 m³/min @ 0.7 MPa | 270 mm × 120 mm |
| 2 | M22 | 3 m³/min @ 0.7 MPa | 130 mm × 151 mm |
| 3 | M55 | 10 m³/min @ 0.7 MPa | 278 mm × 125 mm |
| 4 | ML37 / MU37 | 6 m³/min @ 0.7 MPa | 130 mm × 250 mm |
| 5 | 30S | 3 m³/min @ 0.7 MPa | 130 mm × 123 mm |
| 6 | 50S | 6 m³/min @ 0.7 MPa | 216 mm × 318 mm |
| 7 | 75S | 10 m³/min @ 0.7 MPa | 278 mm × 251 mm |
How to read the table
- This page covers row 1, the M37. The other rows are same-series references to help you rule out a wrong purchase.
- Row 4 (ML37 / MU37) shares the M37's 6 m³/min capacity but uses a completely different element size. Equal capacity does not mean a shared element — this is the most common point of confusion in the series.
- If your machine's nameplate model is not listed, send a photo of the nameplate and the full model number; we will confirm by part number before you order.
Note on machine generations
The Ingersoll Rand M37 was produced in more than one generation. The product on this page is the intake element for the earlier M37. Newer M37-75 series machines (covered by the SL/SM37-75KW operation parts manual) use a different part number system in their manuals. If your machine is a recent build, verify against the parts manual supplied with it, or contact us with the machine serial number. In practice, the most reliable confirmation is still to read the part number from the old element itself.
Related Components
Seven parts in the M37 intake and lubrication system are maintained on a similar cycle to the air filter. They are listed below by location, function and inspection point; request the specific part numbers from the machine's parts manual.
| Component | Location | Function | Inspection point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil filter element | Main oil circuit, between cooler and airend | Removes wear debris and sludge from the lubricant, protecting bearings and rotors | Change together with the air filter; after fitting, check the housing seal face for oil seepage |
| Separator element | Inside the separator tank | Separates oil mist from compressed air and returns oil, controlling oil carry-over | Check the return line for blockage during replacement (poor return directly raises oil carry-over) |
| Air filter differential-pressure indicator | On the air filter assembly | Shows element loading and indicates replacement timing | Should reset properly when pressed; a reading that never moves means it has failed and should be replaced |
| Coolant filter element | Coolant circuit, between cooler and filter | Keeps coolant clean, preventing scale and wear debris build-up | Change together with the oil filter |
| Thermostatic control valve element | Between cooler and filter | Controls coolant flow through the cooler to maintain airend operating temperature | If the machine runs cold or gives high-temperature alarms, check the thermostatic valve first |
| Breather filter | On the separator tank | Balances tank pressure and prevents external dust entering the oil circuit | Inspect on the same cycle as the air filter; shorten the interval in dusty environments |
| Intake hose and housing seal ring | Between the air filter assembly and the airend | Keeps the intake path leak-free with no unfiltered air bypass | Check for cracks, ageing and loose clamps; a bypass leak is as harmful as running without an element |
Combined replacement advice: on dusty sites, change the air filter, oil filter and separator element together to avoid staggered maintenance intervals and repeated downtime. Schedule the coolant filter and thermostatic valve element on their own cycles.
Ordering and Supply
Supply is available for importers, distributors and MRO procurement teams. The part number 99273906 is the primary ordering reference; please confirm the machine model and the number on the old element before purchase. OEM/ODM support and private-label packing can be discussed for volume orders. Send your required quantity, destination port and preferred Incoterms for a quotation and packing details.