Tire changer

[Xcursion88]

Going in business and I need to buy everything so I am having to stretch the dollar bill to amazing proportions...

having said that i am looking at two used tire machines
hunter 3500 is one for around $1000 ...looks pretty damn used but doesnt mean it doesnt work perfect..

the second is a john bean 8800...very clean looking for around 1500

the third option at this point is a new atlas tc289 although i dont know enough about atlas so i am not very confident in it

any other replies or suggestions would be greatly be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Mowerpan]

We have both hunter and John Bean machines and the service we get from Hunter is not good which is why we switched to John Bean. The service we get from Snap-On/John Bean has been excellent. Ask surrounding repair shops how the service repair for both are for your area. Repairs on the machines can get expensive. Based on the information you shared about each machines condition I would go with the John Bean machine.

 

[rslaback]

Have you considered purchasing in a 2 step process? We bought one from Greg Smith Automotive to use in our auto shop program. I just couldn't justify a new one from a major manufacturer. We've gotten plenty of use out of it over the last 8 years at a fraction of the cost (although I did have some small things to fix like air leaks here and there). If I were opening a one man shop I would consider getting a new import model and then using that to make enough money to replace it with a name brand unit. Done right you'll probably be able to sell the import unit for about 1/2 of the original cost as well.

 

[jomobco]

I've been really leaning towards a coats machine due to their features and what I've heard about parts availability on older machines. This is the company I'm thinking of purchasing from. They rebuild the machines and offer a warranty. They will also work deals on a balancer and tire machine. It might be a thought for you.
http://go2ies.com

 

[gball]

i used a Coats machine at a old shop i worked at. when i went on my own i bought a Atlas mounter and a balancer used but like new. they came from a place called Greg Smith equip. (i think that's the name) had to replace the motor in the balancer at $200 within the first year i had it. also broke the tab on the head of the mounter. welded that and added some meat to it and it has been fine. i do motorcycle wheels and very rarely a car or trailer wheel. so figure about 1/2 the regular use right off the bat and i don't do tire jobs every day either. sure i have made the money i spent on the machines back but i haven't been happy with them from day one. if i could start over, it would be Coats machines for sure.