Tire changer and Wheel balancer combo

[Bowtie_Bob]

Looking to buy a new tire changer and wheel balancer combo this spring, would like to hear from anyone that has the Weaver machines and also the Ranger machines. Also would be nice to know about their service after the sale if any problems come up. Thanks for any info

 

[noid]

Is this for home or professional use?

If the former, Ive been very pleased with the Atlas WB-HS.

https://rtstools.com/best-spin-wheel-balancer-for-home-use/

 

[Bowtie_Bob]

Thank you noid, it will be for professional use, but not in a busy tire shop, just in a garage that does mechanic work and occasional tire installs and tpms sensor replacement. I will check out the Atlas.

 

[synchromesh]

I purchased the Derek Weaver 898XS tire machine and 937 balancer last year. These are for home use, flat repairs and few sets of tires a year. The toughest tires I’ve changed were 18” 55-series on run flat rims. Took some effort to get all the beads broken, but the mount and dismount was easy.

I’ve been very happy with them, no issues at all. My experience with Derek Weaver was excellent, as it was with Greg Smith (who were super responsive to replacing a leaking hose on my lift).

Be aware that there are plenty of additional “accessories” you’ll absolutely need to mount, balance, and repair tires. I cheaped out with off-brand clip on weights from Amazon and none of them fit the rims very well. I’d recommend spending more and buying those from a real tire equipment supplier.....I’m having to “buy twice” now.

Also be aware that you need a tire on a steel wheel (due to the style of the included calibration weight) to calibration the balancer. The only steel wheels I had were from a 1-ton truck and were in less than stellar shape so I had to pick up a wheel at the junkyard.

 

[Bowtie_Bob]

Thank you synchromesh that is the info I'm looking for.

 

[noid]

I purchased the Derek Weaver 898XS tire machine and 937 balancer last year. These are for home use, flat repairs and few sets of tires a year. The toughest tires I’ve changed were 18” 55-series on run flat rims. Took some effort to get all the beads broken, but the mount and dismount was easy.

I’ve been very happy with them, no issues at all. My experience with Derek Weaver was excellent, as it was with Greg Smith (who were super responsive to replacing a leaking hose on my lift).

Be aware that there are plenty of additional “accessories” you’ll absolutely need to mount, balance, and repair tires. I cheaped out with off-brand clip on weights from Amazon and none of them fit the rims very well. I’d recommend spending more and buying those from a real tire equipment supplier.....I’m having to “buy twice” now.

Also be aware that you need a tire on a steel wheel (due to the style of the included calibration weight) to calibration the balancer. The only steel wheels I had were from a 1-ton truck and were in less than stellar shape so I had to pick up a wheel at the junkyard.

Are you sure you got the correct style of clip on weights?

The ckauto weights on amazon work pretty good in my experience.

 

[joecon]

I have used several different brands of tire machines but the only ones worth having are the coats machines. decide which style you are comfortable with and by the coats version. You will be happy with it for decades to come.

 

[andersen24]

I’m definitely following this one Bowtie! I am looking as well......worked in a tire shop in high school and ever since then I’ve wanted my own mounting and balancing machine....finally in a position to purchase!

 

[zkdiesel]

Can’t beat my road force balancer for solving problem shake vehicles.....

 

[Bowtie_Bob]

Thanks for the replies, Coats would definitely be great, but the cost would be high for just using on occasion. I would like to find a solid brand for occasional use, kind of middle of the road, not the cheap stuff but not the high end stuff either.

 

[Bowtie_Bob]

I'm curious as to how much difference there is between the Weaver and Ranger tire changers. I know they are both Chinese built, so I'm wondering if they are the same machines or not

 

[signcrafter]

I have an atlas tire machine, tc229 with bead blaster. I've had it for about a year and a half now and it's been great for home use. If I was doing tires everyday I would look into something higher end but for my occasional use the atlas is good. It seems well built and works like a tire machine should. They also sell replacement parts if needed. That was a big reason I went with them instead one of the cheaper ones online. Could have saved a few hundred bucks but figured the parts availability was worth something. And greg smith equipment is a well known company with good reviews. They have a warehouse/sales office about 40 minutes from me so I could go look at it and pick it up and saved a few hundred by picking it up myself.

For a balancer I bought a used coats off craigslist. It works for now but will be looking into a new one or a better used one in the future.

Have been buying wheel weights as needed. There are so many different kinds and weights a complete assortment is big bucks. So I just buy the assortment in the style I need as I run into new styles. Also bought stick on weights. Also have been buying all the stuff to fix flats in tires, which also adds up fast. Next on my list is a tire spreader stand for holding the tire while doing patches. So this stuff adds up fast.

I tell the wife I spent over 3 grand so I could save 20 bucks fixing a flat tire. She doesnt think I'm funny.

I also bought the autel tpms sensor programmer when one of my tpms sensors went out. That tool has help pay for all this stuff. When you tell people you can replace tpms sensors it seems like everyone needs one replaced or programmed. So if you get a tire machine I would plan on getting a tpms programmer also.

 

[synchromesh]

Are you sure you got the correct style of clip on weights?



The ckauto weights on amazon work pretty good in my experience.

That was my first thought as well so I’ve checked numerous times from several sources to be sure I have the right style of weight for the rims I had an issue with and I believe I do. Not including the stick on style, I’ve worked primarily on rims that are MC and P style. The weights I got from Amazon are “zerint” and “Harzole” brand so maybe just avoid those?

I have been on the hunt for a rim type gauge to measure, but haven’t seen them come up on eBay yet. Next time I place an order for weights from a real distributor I’ll definitely get one.

I certainly welcome any tips on balancing as I quickly saw why the commercial grade machines come equipped with lasers to make it easy to identify where weights need to be installed.

 

[synchromesh]

I have an atlas tire machine, tc229 with bead blaster. I've had it for about a year and a half now and it's been great for home use. If I was doing tires everyday I would look into something higher end but for my occasional use the atlas is good. It seems well built and works like a tire machine should. They also sell replacement parts if needed. That was a big reason I went with them instead one of the cheaper ones online. Could have saved a few hundred bucks but figured the parts availability was worth something. And greg smith equipment is a well known company with good reviews. They have a warehouse/sales office about 40 minutes from me so I could go look at it and pick it up and saved a few hundred by picking it up myself.



For a balancer I bought a used coats off craigslist. It works for now but will be looking into a new one or a better used one in the future.



Have been buying wheel weights as needed. There are so many different kinds and weights a complete assortment is big bucks. So I just buy the assortment in the style I need as I run into new styles. Also bought stick on weights. Also have been buying all the stuff to fix flats in tires, which also adds up fast. Next on my list is a tire spreader stand for holding the tire while doing patches. So this stuff adds up fast.



I tell the wife I spent over 3 grand so I could save 20 bucks fixing a flat tire. She doesnt think I'm funny.



I also bought the autel tpms sensor programmer when one of my tpms sensors went out. That tool has help pay for all this stuff. When you tell people you can replace tpms sensors it seems like everyone needs one replaced or programmed. So if you get a tire machine I would plan on getting a tpms programmer also.

Had the same battle at my house.....until my wife had to pay $69 for a proper internal patch while out of town one day.

 

[Bowtie_Bob]

Thanks for the reply signcrafter. I already have an Ateq tpms tool so I can program sensors. I use it mainly now for rotating tires to relearn the tire position and to find quickly if a sensor is not working.

 

[noid]

That was my first thought as well so I’ve checked numerous times from several sources to be sure I have the right style of weight for the rims I had an issue with and I believe I do. Not including the stick on style, I’ve worked primarily on rims that are MC and P style. The weights I got from Amazon are “zerint” and “Harzole” brand so maybe just avoid those?

I have been on the hunt for a rim type gauge to measure, but haven’t seen them come up on eBay yet. Next time I place an order for weights from a real distributor I’ll definitely get one.

I certainly welcome any tips on balancing as I quickly saw why the commercial grade machines come equipped with lasers to make it easy to identify where weights need to be installed.

You can eye ball it using the below as a reference:



There are also charts if the rims are OEM:



The lasers do allow for placing the weights faster, but in the grand scheme of things dont do much; in most cases you're clipping the weights at exactly 12 oclock.

Most machines have a setting to select between these options. Placing weights as far out from center as possible is going to yield the least amount of weight needed.

Two tips from me:

Tip 1: When you spin the assembly, mark with chalk the 12 oclock position and weight requested where its initially telling you to place the weight.

Completely remove the wheel assembly, and then remount it.

When you respin it, it should indicate the same amount of weight needed in the same spot.

If its not exactly the same, you need to reconsider if you're using the correct cone, if the hold down is tight and even, or if the machine is for some reason malfunctioning.

Only once I've spun, marked and remounted x3 do I actually place any weight on the wheel.

Its not about getting the machine to show 0, its about getting the machine to show repeatably regardless of how many times you mount and dismount the assembly. Only then should you try to get to 0.

The problem with most tire shops is that they slap the assembly on and never remount to recheck.

Tip 2: Remember that "calibration" is only insofar important in terms of the machine calculating how much weight to recommend when it finds an inbalance. It has nothing to do with its ability to identify the inbalance.

 

[ovilla]

I have a COATS 5060EX and 7060EX-H1 (with robo arm) and a COATS 1050 wheel balancer. These are all for home use.

You’re only going to buy a tire changer once so hold out for one with the assist arm. It will make changing out run flats and low profile tires a one man job. Also, a new machine would be nice but any old COATS will be just as good. The internals on all of these machines are super cheap to swap out. Hoses and o-rings are really just maintenance items and even 3-4 way valves are cheap. COATS has been around for a long time and you can buy literally every single part on EBAY really reasonably priced too.

Tips

Used tires - Wallmart auto centers only charge $1.50 to dispose of any sized used tire.

Wheel weights - Clean your rims (on the spot where your sticky weights are going) with 3M adhesive remover and even cheap sticky weights will stay on.

Aluminum rims - Use a wire brush attachment for your drill to clean the edge of your rims so you don’t get any leaks.

Balancing - Before you spin your wheel, go through it with a pick and remove all dirt and stones. This will give you a much better balance. Also, I always spin my wheels twice in a row to make sure I’m getting the same results, then I add my weights.

Laser - HF sells a small portable laser that you can attach to a circular saw. It will eat batteries - like 2 batteries every time you use it for a solid day. Anyway, it’s a great laser and is nice and bright and projects a really wide line, and you can adjust the line just by turning the tip of the laser. I have one stuck to my balancer and just add new batteries whenever I’m ready to start using it.

Schrader valves - To avoid any possible leaks, get yourself a schrader valve torque wrench. These are like $20 and well worth the investment.

Tire spoons - HF sells these and they’re pretty cheap.


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[Bowtie_Bob]

Thanks ovilla those are some really good tips. I can see that doing many sets of tires could cause a large stack of used tires to accumulate quickly

 

[Mustang415]

Tire spoons - HF sells these and they’re pretty cheap.

There is great advice in here and agree with about all of, except for this. The HF spoon is absolute junk. Make sure you have an authentic Coats spoon. The HF is flimsy and I bend it nearly every time I mount something close to a low pro.


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[Bowtie_Bob]

Thanks again for all the advise. What would be a good company to deal with for price and service?

 

[synchromesh]

I’d also recommend a pair of tire bead hold down/rim clamps. Got mine on Amazon for less than $25 for the pair.

Made it easy for someone inexperienced like me to mount lower profile tires or anything on rims designed for run flats without an assist arm or a helper. (assist arm being the best option of course....)

 

[Brand X]

Looking to buy a new tire changer and wheel balancer combo this spring, would like to hear from anyone that has the Weaver machines and also the Ranger machines. Also would be nice to know about their service after the sale if any problems come up. Thanks for any info

I have a weaver for about 3 years (home shop) It's the 894 model. Been perfect so far.. I used the model above this one in the ranger. Worked well, bit faster bead breaker, but a little less control. Prefer the Weaver overall with the built bead blaster over the wand setup on the Ranger. Ranger has a nicer adjustable table clamp, but little bit lower profile.. A push there. The ranger has a bit smoother running table overall, but about the same power. For the money and even head to head, I prefer the Weaver. The Weaver is made by Bright, and are solid. Parts are pretty much interchangeable from many of the cheaper e-bay units..

 

[Specracer]

I went through this 2 years ago. I wound up with a Corghi 5000, touchless (not automatic). Was super expensive $15k, but todays wheels, run flats, 13" race car wheels (the most difficult Ive mounted yet) and I even have a car with carbon fiber wheels, this is where I wound up. Unlikely you want to invest that amount, but figured Id share anyway. As for balancer, still using an old when I got it FMC machine. I should upgrade, but it works, and Ive learned tricks to make it work for me.

 

[Brand X]

I should upgrade, but it works, and Ive learned tricks to make it work for me.

I found a few tricks with my WB-953 (same thing as the Weaver) Just get the wheel on there straight, and true goes a long way to getting things balanced. I turned a few cones for different applications. Mostly late model Toyota truck wheels. I measured one wheel, and it had 2 thou total run out mounted up to my machine. That includes the wheel error. Factory rims are excellent, least this model.. The KO-2 tires balanced out perfect.. I have things to help me with the plastic clad wheels too.. I balanced hundreds of wheels, and quite a few motorcycle wheels too.. I bought it a before my tire machine, and used my home built manual machine that works pretty well too. It's design, and tooling make that one work, and you get a good understanding how to do things right. Wrong and you know it..

 

[Bowtie_Bob]

Thanks for the comparison from the Weaver and Ranger Brand X, that is the info I'm looking for. Does Weaver seem to have good service if you were to need anything?

 

[Brand X]

I only talked on the phone after I ordered the machine.. Really was helpful then.. I have not needed parts, so can't tell you.. These are the most made type of China units, and tons of cheaper parts are available on Ebay/Amazon. I would just get parts there for most things, and not even deal with where I bought the machine.. The assist arm from Weaver is solid, and a very good price, even after buying the machine.

Many cheaper options of accessories on ebay. Same quality, like Motorcycle adapters/ Motorcycle Duck heads,balancing tools. Machine, and balancer will get paid off quick even in a home shop.. Little over a year for me,and was stupid to wait all these years to get them..You can get as much work as you want..that is for sure.. My motivation was never put foot in a tire shop again.

 

[Bowtie_Bob]

Thanks again that's solid info. I'm leaning towards the Weaver for the price and the way they seem to hold up ok. I'd like to hear from some more people before I really make my mind up

 

[noid]

Thanks again that's solid info. I'm leaning towards the Weaver for the price and the way they seem to hold up ok. I'd like to hear from some more people before I really make my mind up

The weaver is just a eBay balancer with a sticker on it. 36mm with basic internals.

Get an Atlas, its also Chinese origin, but at least its "fancy" Chinese thats been speced with 40mm hardware externally and properly reinforced internals.

 

[Brand X]

Weaver is 40 mm .

Looked at the tire machines. not a lot of value,and over priced Good marketing though.. I have a atlas quickbay, and it's been good.

 

[noid]

Weaver is 40 mm .

Looked at the tire machines. not a lot of value,and over priced Good marketing though.. I have a atlas quickbay, and it's been good.

You're right, looks like a recent change.

Still same sentiment; pretty corny to slap your sticker on a generic ebay machine.

 

[Brand X]

You're right, looks like a recent change.

Still same sentiment; pretty corny to slap your sticker on a generic ebay machine.

Correct, and why I bought elsewhere.. The 36 mm works for me, but 40 mm is just better for cheaper options down the road. Repeatability is as good as it gets. It's all how you mount up the tire. If it changes weights when you rotate the tire/wheel, then something is off with calibration or how you are mounting, setting up the machine.. The standard China ones work well, but are not built to be abused. One person shop would be best for them, and then they are a good value. Tire machines from Weaver are built strong for the cost .Meaning there is no flex in the arm etc.. I have no issues with the better models of the Atlas tire machines. They have some upgraded ones now.

 

[mautotech]

A liitle personal experience with Ranger.
I had an older Ranger tire changer/balancer set and just wasn't happy with them at all.
I posted in another thread my dissatisfaction with them and a Ranger rep, (on this board), contacted me to get my input. He stated that they had made significant improvements to their equipment over the last couple of years and I might want to give them another look. He put me in touch with more people at Ranger to find out specifically why I was unhappy and what they could do to improve and make me happy; and then worked with me price-wise to upgrade my tire changer/balancer to their latest models.
So I have been using the new machines for a while now and can definitely say that the problems that I had with the old machines are nonexistent on the new ones and they operate very well. I am extremely happy with them and would recommend Ranger tire machines and balancers to anyone.
Here is my setup.

View media item 105664

 

[Bowtie_Bob]

Thanks mautotech. Those Ranger machines look nice. what are the model numbers of them?

 

[chevy302dz]

I actually found the Weaver to be amongst the cheapest options available once shipping to home with a liftgate was figured in. As others have stated the machines have been rock solid and the few post sale interactions I've had with the company (no service stuff on the tire machines) have been excellent. As far as a quality comparison these are the only cheap machines I've use so I can't say better or worse, just that mine have performed well and most of the comments I found before buying said the same.

 

[Bowtie_Bob]

Thanks chevy302dz. From what you and others on here have said, it seems like the Weaver machines are good for the price.

 

[mautotech]

Thanks mautotech. Those Ranger machines look nice. what are the model numbers of them?

Hi Bowtie_Bob,

The tire machine model is: R980AT
The Balancer model is: LS43B

They've both been great. You won't be disappointed if you get them.

Mike

 

[Bowtie_Bob]

Thanks mautotrech, those Ranger machines are quite a bit more than the Weaver machines. I would like to know if they are really made better or work better than Weaver.

 

[mautotech]

Thanks mautotrech, those Ranger machines are quite a bit more than the Weaver machines. I would like to know if they are really made better or work better than Weaver.

Hi Bob,

I don't really know how they compare to the Weavers. Other than my current Ranger machines, i've only used Hunter, Coats and Snap-On machines over the years.
The best advice I can give you is spend as much as you can afford. Using bad tire machines is really frustrating unless you enjoy damaging wheels and not getting the balance right.

 

[cpubarn]

A liitle personal experience with Ranger.
I had an older Ranger tire changer/balancer set and just wasn't happy with them at all.
I posted in another thread my dissatisfaction with them and a Ranger rep, (on this board), contacted me to get my input. He stated that they had made significant improvements to their equipment over the last couple of years and I might want to give them another look. He put me in touch with more people at Ranger to find out specifically why I was unhappy and what they could do to improve and make me happy; and then worked with me price-wise to upgrade my tire changer/balancer to their latest models.
So I have been using the new machines for a while now and can definitely say that the problems that I had with the old machines are nonexistent on the new ones and they operate very well. I am extremely happy with them and would recommend Ranger tire machines and balancers to anyone.
Here is my setup.

View media item 105664

How do you like these now some time later?

 

[Xcursion88]

Tire machines....

Truly more about the user than machine.

The more experience you get with certain profiles of tires...the more efficient you become.
Assists can help but...honestly once you get in the know of tricks of the trade your best assist is knowing where to push down and all that.

The duck head should never ever touch a rim so no need for any damaged/scuffed wheels