Tire changer head options

[rslaback]

I have an old Ranger tire changer that keeps me from having to go to the tire shop for much of anything. It is specifically this one:

Yesterday I was working on taking off some 215/45/18 low profiles from some Mazda wheels to install 225/55/18 snows and use for snow tires on our new Kia. My changer has the original metal duck head with a roller for the edge and the normally found missing pad for the top. That head was absolutely destroying the edge of the rims trying to get that low pro off. I tried a smaller and newer head that I had purchased for small diameter tires (think ATV, golf cart, utility trailer) and it wasn't much better.

I was finally able to get it done by massaging the roller axle out of the OEM head and installing a plastic insert from the smaller head into it. It doesn't fit right but it worked.

I'm now considering upgrading the machine to a plastic head which wouldn't be particularly expensive but a bit involved as it would need an adapter as it uses a straight 30mm mount. But, do I really need to upgrade it? I can get a replacement metal head with inserts for the same price. The lowest profile I usually work with is a 205/50 so I don't normally see that high of force. I can't say that a plastic head would solve a problem that a good metal head wouldn't.

I'm worried about a couple things in particular. The plastic heads apparently like to break a lot especially when cold. I keep my shop at 50 degrees in the winter. My system automatically lifts the head just a smidge when you lock in the height. Does this present a problem as the plastic head is now a bit too high to sit perfectly on the edge of the wheel?

 

[JSGAuto]

I just bought a plastic head for much the same reasons you stated. I have not tried it yet (just got it last week), but I figured it was worth a shot. Like you said, they are not expensive. I bought mine from car lift parts.

I am keeping the metal head as a backup for when the plastic one breaks.

 

[Relax]

Did you ever get the plastic head, and how do they compare? My Ranger 980 came with a metal head with no provision for a plastic insert on the "tail", so I got a plastic head right off the bat and have been using it for mostly 17" motorcycle tires and 55+ series car tires. My machine does struggle with some stiff sidewall motorcycle tires, so I bought a smaller motorcycle-specific head, but it doesn't fit (needs to be machined down a few mm's). Anyways, this video compares two plastics against a metal head:

 

[39CAMC]

For whatever it is worth, the actual Hunter/BUtler brand plastic heads may be worth the investment if they will mount to your machines.

We use these on our trackside machines. https://www.hunter.com/shop-hunter/consumables-accessories/accessory-details/221-675-2

https://www.ebay.com/p/1548420134 - Butler

Yes, they flex and yes they will touch the wheel. But they don't do damage and are designed to flex. The black ones are my preference but neither is bad. Reproduction/knock offs absolutely ****.

For example, I just returned from the SCCA Solo Nationals where myself and a partner are the onsite tire guys. We both have TC3700 machines and changed somewhere in the neighborhood of 250-300 sets of tires the past 10 days. By definition, almost everything is low profile and stiff (this means you, Bridgestone RE71RS). I broke one head and Ron broke 2. The head on my machine that I started with was probably put on last September and had part of '23 nationals, Time Trials nationals and a lot of smaller events on it.

We do use the motorcycle "winged" head for some of the smaller stuff (we do a lot of 10 and 13" dia slicks) but these don't work well on full size rims.




Regardless, it might be worth adapting these name brand heads to other machines and being done with it for a long time at normal volumes. They really are better (IMO)

DaveW

 

[Relax]

We do use the motorcycle "winged" head for some of the smaller stuff (we do a lot of 10 and 13" dia slicks) but these don't work well on full size rims.

So the plastic heads with the wing are for motorcycle tires? Do you know if they work well for those (17" rims)? I'm guessing the the wing helps guide the bead below the duck bill similarly to a bead press head attachment?

 

[39CAMC]

So the plastic heads with the wing are for motorcycle tires? Do you know if they work well for those (17" rims)? I'm guessing the the wing helps guide the bead below the duck bill similarly to a bead press head attachment?

No idea, I have never mounted a motorcycle tire but I would expect that a regular head would work fine on a 17" diameter wheel, even a motorcycle one. The curve of the standard one is not right for smaller diameter stuff (especially 10") so the motorcycle one lets it conform closer to the wheel when you put the lever in.

DaveW

 

[JSGAuto]

I tried the knock-off plastic head and was disappointed. The shape was really too big to feed the tire effectively. It caused more frustration then it was worth. I put the metal head back on. I should try some of those other shapes, it would be nice not to have to worry about the metal head.

Tire Changer Nylon Mount / Demount Duck head replaces Coats ® 83008403

This is a Plastic Mount and Demount Head used on many model tire changers with a non tapered shaft. This is for machines with plastic mount demount heads already. Using plastic mount heads is much safer for delicate and expensive wh ...

www.carliftparts.com

 

[cannuck]

Every time I read about tire changing my mind springs back to my good friend and team mate when our kids were growing up and we all raced sprint karts together. Freddy was a pretty good size guy and even though far, far above minimum weighs always near front of the pack - and leading if it rained. He was also fanatical about preparation so we changed a LOT of tires with at least a half dozen karts at any one time. Our total tire equipment was one bead breaker. Everything else on and off was done with bare hands. I have done a fair bit of car and truck with tire irons and rubber mallet but never had the luxury of a tire machine in my home shop. Sidenote: lost my friend to cancer at 45YO leaving 3 teen and pre-teen boys. Sorry for the OT.

 

[nicks78camaro]

We only use the heavy duty yellow nylon heads

 

[Relax]

No idea, I have never mounted a motorcycle tire but I would expect that a regular head would work fine on a 17" diameter wheel, even a motorcycle one. The curve of the standard one is not right for smaller diameter stuff (especially 10") so the motorcycle one lets it conform closer to the wheel when you put the lever in.

DaveW

I see. I think my problem is the combination of narrow and shallow drop centers on the typical 3.5" and 5.5" wide sport bike rims and stiff tires like Dunlops. The way my plastic head wraps around the entire rim edge, it's more critical to get the tire into the drop center since it's getting "stretched" more compared to a metal head where it only has to go under or over the round part for the duckbill. The metal motorcycle head looks like it has even less distance between the tail and the head.

 

[NotLeftHanded]

Any recommendations on an upgraded duck head for the Mayflower 980? Same as Ranger

 

[Relax]

Any recommendations on an upgraded duck head for the Mayflower 980? Same as Ranger

Depends - what problem are you having with the standard head?