manual tire changer

[skinner1790]

i have a ? what the difference on hf vs northern tool tire changer ?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_18863_18863

http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-tire-changer-69686.html

there is a difference in price what the difference in the 2 machines

 

[kunkernator]

I do not know the difference.

However, beware if you buy one, you WILL need to anchor that in the ground, good.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Watch this video.

Comparison of the Harbor Freight model 69686 and the Northern Industrial Tools model 13474 manual tire changers.

If you are going to be working on aluminum rims, I would invest in a No-Mar Mount/Demount Bar. Yes, it costs more than the machine itself, but you probably won't gouge up your rims.

Use lots of lube !

 

[Modifieddriver]

Watched the video. That was a real waste of my time. Only thing we really found out was a weight difference.

I have a HF unit mounted to a concrete slab. It works OK. Actually I use it more as a fixture to hold my 10"-14" wide racing wheels. Most of the actual work is done with old tire irons. AND yes, as one said here, use plenty of lube.

 

[STANIMAL]

Maybe just buy a NO-Mar ?

 

[Shadowdog500]

I have the HF one it works OK. I haven't seen a single youtube video that shows how to use it properly. A couple are pretty funny watching the guy wrestle with the thing.

Based on the video the other one would be beefier, which is better.

+1 on lube. You can get a gallon of tire lube at any napa for around $10.

I used mine for trailer tires and changing valve stems. Unless you have a balance machine I wouldn't plan on mounting your own car tires.

Chris

 

[BD1]

I've used the heck out of my HF. Mostly on farm implement and trailer tires. Worth the $$$$. Bought mine real cheap on sale and used 20% off coupon.

 

[CaseyR89]

HF one works fine other than the tire iron bar itself, which is made of butter. If you get it, you can pretty much expect that it will bend and you will have to cut the ends off it and weld them to a more stout piece of tube.

 

[crewchief888]

only real difference i see from the pics is the base of the "machine"

i picked up the HF model on sale. it's been worth what i paid for it.

FWIW
if you are breaking beads, and dont keep the foot aligned with the center post, and really start leaning on an angle, you will bend the link arms.

they seem to work a little easier on tall sidewalls than on a lower profile tire.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Maybe just buy a NO-Mar ?

Yeah, but the Classic (No-Mar's cheapest, non-motorcycle only tire changer) is $645 !

 

[CaseyR89]

only real difference i see from the pics is the base of the "machine"

i picked up the HF model on sale. it's been worth what i paid for it.

FWIW
if you are breaking beads, and dont keep the foot aligned with the center post, and really start leaning on an angle, you will bend the link arms.

they seem to work a little easier on tall sidewalls than on a lower profile tire.

+1, Dont expect a manual tire machine to work on anything less than a 55 or maybe 50 sidewall profile. Also the arms for the bead breaker are kinda flimsy, I haven't bent mine yet but they should be easy to reinforce if you have a welder.

Yeah, but the Classic (No-Mar's cheapest, non-motorcycle only tire changer) is $645 !

Yea for that kind of money you could find a used pneumatic tire changer on CL.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Yea for that kind of money you could find a used pneumatic tire changer on CL.

I wish !

Around here, even beat up changers go for over $1000 !

 

[bubinga]

Watch this video.

Comparison of the Harbor Freight model 69686 and the Northern Industrial Tools model 13474 manual tire changers.

If you are going to be working on aluminum rims, I would invest in a No-Mar Mount/Demount Bar. Yes, it costs more than the machine itself, but you probably won't gouge up your rims.

Use lots of lube !

oldwizard1, did you get the No-Mar Mount/Dismount Bar?
I brought the HF Changer, cause the manager said I had 90 day to return for refund, if I thought is was not a very good unit. but at another thread, they said she would charge me a 20% restocking fee.
I see some of the guys are beefing up the bead breaker on the HF model.

 

[bubinga]

+1, Don't expect a manual tire machine to work on anything less than a 55 or maybe 50 sidewall profile. Also the arms for the bead breaker are kinda flimsy, I haven't bent mine yet but they should be easy to reinforce if you have a welder.

Good deal, My car takes 215/60/15 and the little woman's tires are 205/55/16.