Tire Changer and Wheel Balancer - thoughts?

[I Love Grits]

Hey guys,

Been dreaming of the garage once again, and was curious as to if any of yall had experience with tire changers (aka mounters) and wheel balancers? Depending upon how busy the business/shop may eventually become, and the clientel I provide services for, ensurring a properly balanced tire would be awesome.

Not to sure if these are hard to screw up etc as far as brands go- but lets hear what yalls thoughts are.

By the way, I'm looking for something that will accomodate atleast a 44" tall tire x atleast 24" wide. Superswamper Boggers come to mind :) Came across a Hunter brand capable of 44" and thats bout it.

These would not experience everyday use, so industrial quality is not needed, just adding something to the wishlist.

[Brian]

I mount my own tires by hand. The hardest part is breaking the bead, once you get that done removing and installing the tire is easy with some bars. I made a tool out of some scrap metal I had lying around to make breaking the bead easier, it is used with a high lift jack.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a397/Shtfrbns/PICT0214.jpg
One of the best ways to balance a tire (especially as large as you are talking about) is with a handful of airsoft pellets thrown in. No machine required, no weights to fall off and no need to rebalance as the tire wears down.

[kartracer55]

Only machine I have used (use it more often than Id like) is a snap on. Its not a bad machines, I dont know what model it is in particular, I can check. Only complaint is that the machine has no provisions to protect high-end rims from damage... the pry bar is all metal and the little part thatlifts the tire over the rim is all metal as well, no coatings or anything like that.

Ill update this post in a little bit

Jim

[SuperKid]

The best (and easiest) machines I've used are made by COATS. (www.ammcoats.com) Althought they're rather expensive. If you want cheaper ones, try ATLAS. They're sold by Greg Smith Equipment (www.gregsmithequipment.com). Since they won't see everyday use, I'd say go with ATLAS. Although I've never used them, so I can't comment on quality. Just remember, as with any piece of equipment, TAKE CARE OF IT! Clean it at the end of the day after you've used it. I can't tell you how many shops I've been to that have beaten up, nasty looking tire machines because they don't take care of them.

[the intimidator]

Brian that is a very cool accesery for you're highlift you made care to elaberate on how you attached you're jack to the frame? that would make changing the atv and trailer tire's alot easyer and it would give me another excuse to buy a highlift jack thanks

[Brian]

care to elaberate on how you attached you're jack to the frame?
The upper lifting arm on the Highlift just hooks under the horizontal tube on the frame, same as you would do on a vehicle bumper. The arm has a little lip on the end that keeps it from slipping off.
A little soapy water or spray silicone lube (what I use) eases working the tire off the rim.

[ultgar]

My favorites are the Corghi Artiglio Master for the changer and the Cemb C75 balancer.

All of the better tire changers are made in Italy (including the Butler/Hunter units). Balancers are from either Italy or Germany.

Of course, there's plenty coming from China these days. The superlow price is usually the indicator of these imports. SD

[Willy Victor]

I mount my own tires by hand. The hardest part is breaking the bead, once you get that done removing and installing the tire is easy with some bars. I made a tool out of some scrap metal I had lying around to make breaking the bead easier, it is used with a high lift jack.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a397/Shtfrbns/PICT0214.jpg
One of the best ways to balance a tire (especially as large as you are talking about) is with a handful of airsoft pellets thrown in. No machine required, no weights to fall off and no need to rebalance as the tire wears down.

I bet you could adapt a bottle jack to do the same thing. I'll have to work on that:shocking: Willy

[Willy Victor]

I mount my own tires by hand. The hardest part is breaking the bead, once you get that done removing and installing the tire is easy with some bars. I made a tool out of some scrap metal I had lying around to make breaking the bead easier, it is used with a high lift jack.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a397/Shtfrbns/PICT0214.jpg
One of the best ways to balance a tire (especially as large as you are talking about) is with a handful of airsoft pellets thrown in. No machine required, no weights to fall off and no need to rebalance as the tire wears down.


Brian any trouble with that top horizontal member bending?

Willy

[I Love Grits]

Well, it seems that looking through the various 4wd magazines I have, Hunter is what most shops carry. Capable of balancing up to a 44" tall tire- I know all about the different types of balancing methods, weights, solutions etc but I would like to "know" w/o a doubt its balanced.

Thanks guys.