Tire changer - tiit back or swing arm?

[ggerickson]

Through a happy set of circumstances, I have a Hunter wheel balancer coming my direction and need to get a tire changer/mounter to partner with it.

Looking at the assorted options, the one thing I'm having a hard time finding any real info on is the benefits (or drawbacks) of the tilt-back vs swing-arm style of changer.

I understand there'll be more clearance required behind the tilt-back style, but I can live with that if it's a better design or has other advantages.

I've found the same marketing blurb on a couple manufacturer's websites that suggest the tilt-back can be easier to use and/or are less likely to damage wheels when used by less-experienced operators (which I definitely will be for the first couple years) but no explanation of the specifics.

While I see how the swing arm style could be less rigid there is also the benefit of fewer moving parts and less pneumatics to leak/repair down the road.

Leaving brands out of it, does anybody have input on one design or the other? Experiences from folks who have used both styles of machine greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[TTMotorsports]

My shop neighbor loves the tilt back be cause once you set the arm for first wheel/tire you dont have to do anything again besides tilt it. Where his swing he would have to position the arm and height everytime. Tilt is quicker but usually more money and if it's a personal machine am extra 5 min per job makes no difference

 

[apickle]

We have 3 tiltback and one swingarm machine we use at work. There's times I prefer one over the other, I personally prefer mounting stiffer sidewalls on the swingarm due to the positioning of the mount/ demount head in relation to pedal box. But it's usually not a huge difference, and if it's anything really low profile, wide, and stiff, we'll use the tiltback with the assist arms and rollers.

If I had to pick one for home, I'd do the swingarm. Takes up less space, much less complicated, and the extra time resetting the arm every time isn't more than a couple minutes on a set of tires.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk