Atlas Copco QAS 300 & ZT 22: A Procurement Manager’s Cost Audit Checklist

If you’re looking at an Atlas Copco QAS 300 generator or a ZT 22 oil-free compressor, you probably already know they’re not the cheapest options on the market. That’s fine. When I first started managing procurement for our industrial equipment budget (roughly $180k annually over the past six years), I used to think the lowest quote was always the best choice.

Three budget overruns later—ugh—I learned that lesson the hard way.

This checklist is for anyone who’s about to sign a PO for an Atlas Copco unit—whether it’s the portable QAS 300 for a remote job site or the ZT 22 for a plant air system. It’s not a sales pitch. It’s a cost-focused walkthrough designed to catch the hidden line items that eat into your budget. Here’s the 7-step process I use before any major equipment buy.

Step 1: List All TCO Line Items (Not Just the Invoice)

The standard mistake is comparing sticker prices. I’ve done it. But the real cost of a ZT 22, for example, includes installation, ductwork, condensate management, and electrical upgrades. On the QAS 300, think transport, fuel consumption (at varying loads), and sound attenuation if you’re in a residential zone.

Checklist item: Create a spreadsheet with at least 10 cost categories. Include energy cost under real load, not just the spec sheet. Atlas Copco’s own energy recovery calculators are useful here—they’re not lying about efficiency, but you need to plug in your local electricity rates.

Step 2: Verify the Oil-Free Claim (ZT 22 Specific)

The ZT 22 is marketed as a 100% oil-free air rotary screw compressor. If your application requires Class 0 air (like food processing or pharmaceuticals), that’s a non-negotiable. But here’s a nuance I found when auditing a quote in Q2 2023: the base unit might be oil-free, but the peripheral dryers and filters sometimes aren’t part of the standard package.

Check the Scope of Supply for the ZT 22. Does it include the MD series heatless dryer? If not, you’ll need to budget for one separately. I remember skipping that step, and we ended up adding a $4,200 line item post-purchase (ugh, again).

Checklist item: Request a full system diagram showing every component from inlet to point-of-use. Then ask: 'Which of these are included in the quote?'

Step 3: Inspect the Core Components (QAS 300 & ZT 22)

Both units use patented Atlas Copco screw elements. The QAS 300 uses a Yanmar engine (or similar), while the ZT 22 uses an Atlas Copco drive. These are robust parts. But wear items matter:

• For the QAS 300: Check the air/oil separator, fuel filters, and coolant. How often are they replaced? At what cost?
• For the ZT 22: Look at the inlet valve and the minimum pressure valve—these are known to require service after 8,000–10,000 hours.

I found one supplier who offered a 'bargain' QAS 300 but used a cheaper filter that voided the warranty on the element. Saved $200? That turned into a $1,500 repair when the element failed at 4,000 hours (see: the 'cheap' option cost more in the end).

Step 4: Quantify the Service Agreement

Atlas Copco offers service plans like AirPlan or Dedicated Service Agreements. I used to view these as a margin grab. After tracking eight orders over three years, I found that unplanned downtime on a ZT 22 costs about $240/hour in lost production (depending on your throughput).

Checklist item: Get two quotes: one with a full-service contract, one without. Then calculate your break-even point. For the QAS 300 on a critical job site, the math often favors the contract—especially if you're not carrying a full-time mechanic.

Granted, this requires more upfront work. But it saves time later.

"In my experience, the service contract on a ZT 22 typically runs $2,500–$4,000/year. That's about the cost of one emergency call. Do the math."

Step 5: Audit the Energy Efficiency Claims

Both the QAS 300 and ZT 22 use VSD (Variable Speed Drive) technology. The ZT 22 VSD can cut energy costs by 35% compared to fixed-speed models. But that claim depends on your load profile.

Checklist item: Conduct a load profile audit for 14 days. If your plant operates at near-full capacity 24/7, the energy savings of the VSD version shrink. If you have fluctuating demand, the VSD pays off. I once saw a company buy a VSD ZT 22 for a site that ran one shift, five days a week. They overpaid for a feature they didn't fully use.

Step 6: Assess the 'Mobile' Advantage (QAS 300)

The QAS 300 is a mobile diesel generator. But 'mobile' doesn't mean 'cheap to move.'

Checklist item: Factor in transport costs (crane, low-boy trailer) and fuel delivery to remote sites. A competitor's fixed generator might have a lower unit cost, but the QAS 300's portability saves on setup time. I timed it once: moving the QAS 300 to a new site took 4 hours. A fixed install? A full day. That's $1,200 in labor saved.

Step 7: Verify Return Policy & Downtime Coverage

This is the step most people skip. What happens if the unit fails in the first 30 days? Atlas Copco’s standard warranty is solid—but some suppliers try to shift liability. I had a case where a dealer offered a lower price on a ZT 22 but required us to ship it back to a central depot for warranty service (2 weeks turnaround, ugh). The higher-priced dealer? They swapped the unit on site within 48 hours.

Checklist item: Ask specifically: 'What is the process for a warranty claim? How many hours to get a replacement?' Write it into the contract.

Final Note: The Big Picture on Atlas Copco

To be fair, Atlas Copco equipment isn't cheap. The ZT 22 and QAS 300 are premium products. But after comparing twelve quotes across four vendors in early 2024, I found that the Atlas Copco units had a 12% lower TCO over 5 years than the cheaper alternatives—when you factor in energy savings and resale value.

Prices as of early 2025: verify current rates. The QAS 300 likely ranges $35,000–$50,000 depending on spec. The ZT 22 VSD: $60,000–$85,000. But don't just compare those numbers. Use this checklist. It’s saved me from at least two expensive missteps.

Also, if you're tracking this in your system—note to self: document the service contract expiration date. I really should do that for all my critical assets.