greg smith tire changer

[markster]

Does anyone have any experience with the Greg Smith tire changer:

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-TC229-Tire-Changer

or this one from AAE:

http://www.americanautomotiveequipment.com/UnitedProducts-TC-540-Tire-Changer-p/atc540.htm

They look about the same to me. This is just for home use and friends, maybe a dozen set of tires per year.

Any comments or advice welcome. I've been looking at used older commercial grade changers likes Coats on craigslist and many of them max out at 17 inch wheels when clamped externally. I'm thinking one of these lower end but new changers would work better for me.

thanks,mark

 

[scotte]

ive had the next model up atlas tire changer for the past two years

i prob change ~3-400 tires a year with the only issue being a small internal air line leak that is easy to fix

 

[Toymeister]

Well if I had YOUR money I would get either model for a dozen tires. But with MY money I use this model: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00772VYTA/?tag=atomicindus08-20 It is sold under many names. If you live near Tractor supply they have it for 54.99

If you go to youtube you will see how easy it is and how to mount on a pallet.

 

[crewchief888]

Well if I had YOUR money I would get either model for a dozen tires. But with MY money I use this model: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00772VYTA/?tag=atomicindus08-20 It is sold under many names. If you live near Tractor supply they have it for 54.99

If you go to youtube you will see how easy it is and how to mount on a pallet.

looks like the one HF sells.

i've busted a lot of tires with mine.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If there is one tool I have been "lusting" for it is a No-Mar Manual Tire Changer. They say they for motorcycle tires, but most of their videos show them changing car/truck tire including some with huge offsets.

They are not cheap (start at $650), but here is the deal. Buy a cheap HF changer, throw away the bar and buy a No-Mar Mount/Demount Bar ($125) with non-marring wheel contacts points. Extra tips included and lifetime warranty.

If you watch some of their videos, The other "trick" thing they use is their paste tire lube. I wish I had that when I was bustin' tires by hand 40+ years ago !

 

[bimmer630]

We have the greg smith tc 755 tire mounter and wb-49 wheel balancer and they have nice features but also some problems. The mounter was brand new a few months ago and the "helping hand" arm on the right side (helps either pull up on the tire or press down on it with a roller) drifts down from the up position due to an air leak.

Also we have broken the left side Nylon helping hand thing once, and the actual main bead "arbor".. It seems like cheap chinese material (of course.)

The balancer has some design faults.. Mounting a rim to it can be limited. They give you varying size cones for different hub hole sizes, but the larger cones will only fit if you use them on the outside of a rim since they dont fit into the machines spring loaded "hub".. so fancy plated/coated rims can be a problem

 

[markster]

Thanks for the comments. Does anyone have experience with the AAE changer? It's a little cheaper with free shipping. Looks like the same thing to me. thanks,mark

 

[osborn.ozzy]

Its a good machine, I use one everyday. If you plan on doing any low profile tires you will want a machine with the little arm on the side like this one.
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-TC229LH-Tire-Changer

 

[markster]

Ozzy, which machine do you use every day, the greg smith one or the AAE model? What is considered low profile? I have a 225/45-17 and 275/40-17 sitting here. Will those size tires require the assist arm? thanks,mark

 

[MattPersman]

the greg smiths are ok for everyday tires 14-20 with a decent side wall, you get into larger low profile tires it is no fun and down right a waste of time. just haul em to a tire shop and let them use a nice machine to do it right. they don't have a bunch of power IMO either, they can get the job done but would rather have a used coats, hoffman, etc.