HF duck head mod vs cheap power tire changer

[kapster]

Looking at getting a katool kt-b760 balancer and either a Katool ktt800 changer or build a HF manual changer duck head mod.

I would be splitting this with my dad, we currently use his Nomar motorcycle changer but it can be a struggle on car tires with not being able to hold the wheel tight enough to prevent spinning. We then take tires to a shop to be balanced. This is a pain, we are both just sick of dealing with tire shop screw ups.

Does anyone have experience with both a hf duck head changer and a power changer? The katool only adds about $600 vs getting the balancer by itself. I don't really feel like taking up the shop space but it seems like a sweet deal, would I regret going the duck head mod route?

I feel we would use the balancer more than the changer, but don't want a huge struggle when we need to change tires either. The worse part of the hf seems to be the bead breaker. I have the resources to mod it anyway it needs, is the effort worth it to save floor space(put on a shelf when not used)?

 

[Renegade1LI]

Once you have a machine with a bead breaker you'll forget about the hf one. I bought a changer and balancer and use it way more than I thought i would. The dually wheels have been the hardest to balance, takes practice, everything else np. Be prepared to spend a few hundred on balancing supplies, but you get a lot off wheels done.

 

[metaleltr]

I'm pretty happy with the harbor freight duckhead mod. That being said if I could dedicate the space for a real machine i would like to have one. The E load range LT265/70R17s on my truck were a workout with the duckhead mod. Everything else I have done has been smaller thinner tires such as 15" c rated trailer tires that were pretty manageable. It also worked well on some UTV tires. It definitely helps to have a supplemental bead breaker. I have been very happy with my Beadbuster brand unit.

 

[signcrafter]

How many and what types/sizes of tires are you doing? Personally I would bite the bullet and get the machine if you can afford it. I bought an atlas tire machine a while back in order to be able to do TPMS sensors and don't use it but a handful of times a year but I wouldn't change it for anything. It took a lot to finally pull the trigger for something I only use a handful of times a year for what they cost. But once I had it they are so nice to have around. I got tired of paying 10-15 bucks per tire to have them balanced so I ended up getting a balancer. Along with the many accessories you need to buy to go along with changing tires, balancing, patching, tpms, etc.

 

[kapster]

My stuff is 205/50r16, 265/65r18, 215/55r17, and a 10k equipment trailer currently. My dad's stuff is in the same range. I'm thinking of 30 tires between the two of us. I would like to get a 1 ton dump some day as well.

It's definitely not alot of tires, this probably doesn't make financial sense but not really doing it for that. A paint chip somewhere without snow / salt on the roads probably wouldnt be a big deal. Here, it turns into a corroded mess in a hurry.

 

[kapster]

Those 265/65r18 tires were a struggle on the nomar changer. Would the harbor freight mod do tires like that as well as dually tires without fuss? I'm guessing they would be alot more "fun" on a powered tire changer.

 

[kapster]

Thanks for everyone's input. I ordered the Katool machines, sounds like it's going to be a few weeks yet.

I want to order a tire iron with a plastic cover to give myself the best chance of avoiding scratches / chips.

Is there any reason you have more than one tire iron when using a machine?

 

[Renegade1LI]

Thanks for everyone's input. I ordered the Katool machines, sounds like it's going to be a few weeks yet.

I want to order a tire iron with a plastic cover to give myself the best chance of avoiding scratches / chips.

Is there any reason you have more than one tire iron when using a machine?

I picked up a second iron but after about 30 tires I have not needed it yet. Once you get the hang of it they go pretty easy, I do place a soft pad on the rim in case I slip or drop something, I use a kitchen drying pad. If you ordered the balancer you will need to get an assortment of weights & valve stems, I ordered from 1/4oz to 1 1/2oc for steel & aluminum plus the stick ons.