Which tire changer?

[Sasquatch912]

I bought the cheap harbor freight tire changer, but I'm debating about getting this one https://www.agrisupply.com/multi-tire-changer/p/67530/


I'm really looking to change motorcycle tires and trailer tires. I may change my truck tires as well eventually.

The one from agrisupply looks way better in my price range versus buying the duck head conversion for the one for the harbor freight which is over $350

Opinions?

 

[Sasquatch912]

Anyone have an opinion or suggestion?

 

[emort007]

I've been happy with my harbor Freight unit for the past 4 years. I've done well over 100 sets of tires with it, and it has held up well. The secret to these machines is to bolt them down.
Here is a video of mine in action:

 

[ex-x-fire]

I've been thinking of building one of these to make tire changes easier. Google HF tire changer duck head mod for more info.

 

[jblnut]

I am a third generation owner of a coats 310 tire changer and couldn't be happier. It has been put through hell and back on the farm changing everything from lawn mower tires to skid loader tires and everything in between and has held up amazingly.

I looked it up and you can still get the 310 model. It fit well in my price range as I gave Grandpa a bottle of EJ for it but it looks like they're over $1,000 new now.

 

[rlitman]

The HF changer works well enough for me. It needs to be bolted down to concrete! Also, I heated some 3/4" PVC pipe so I could force it over the ribs of the hold-down clamp so it would be plastic touching my rims.

 

[bwringer]

FWIW, that Agrisupply changer says the maximum wheel diameter is 16.5", so it won't work for most motorcycle tires. Not sure if there's a mod or kit so you can use it on 17" 18", 19" and 21" wheels.

I've changed motorcycle tires for myself and friends with tire irons and a very simple setup (a 14" car rim bolted to my bench and padded with heater hose) for many years with no damage.

I've also changed car, trailer, scooter, and mower tires using the same setup and skills (of course, for the small tires, I had to use a PVC pipe adaptor as a stand, but the principles are the same). There is a learning curve to climb, and it can be steep, but once you learn the skills, the desire for a machine fades... yes, I've used a No-Mar machine, and I was not at all impressed. The rim clamping in particular is a complete joke.

That said, opinions vary. Many people use the HF machines and the No-Mar, or similar, and they're quite happy. Once you learn the skills, any of these work just fine. Just don't expect it to be easy the first few times through. YouTube videos really can help with this, but there's nothing that beats learning in person from someone who knows what they're doing.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I have a hf changer and motorcycle adapter along with the popular modifications. It needs to be mounted solidly and I'd also recommend a better bar at least. Honesty I usually use tire spoons.

 

[p00p]

I've been thinking of building one of these to make tire changes easier. Google HF tire changer duck head mod for more info.

i've shopped around for the parts to do the full mod, & it isn't cheap IMO. The agri unit might be better if you don't already have the HF changer.

.02

 

[theoldwizard1]

You owe it to yourself to investigate Nomar/Cycle Hill changers. Yes, the cost more, but they look quite nice. Check YouTube for videos on both brands.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a hf changer and motorcycle adapter along with the popular modifications. It needs to be mounted solidly and I'd also recommend a better bar at least. Honesty I usually use tire spoons.

Typical of many HF tools ! They cut corners when, for only a few dollars more, they could have a decent tool.

Check out the NoMar mount/demount bar. Lifetime warranty including the tips.

Tire spoons from Ken Tools. Many style and sizes to choose from. Also sold on Amazon.

 

[PoorUB]

I bought a HF tire changer years ago when they sold a motorcycle wheel adapotor. I have changed a ton of motorcycle tires over the years. I did buy the Mojo block and lever,

https://www.mojotiretools.com/mojoweb.htm

Until recently I never used it for car tires. I am not even sure I have the parts that came with the changer for car tires! This summer I de-mounted and mounted four car tires using the motorcycle wheel clamp and the Mojo lever with no issues. It was easier than motorcycle tires.

The worst part of the HF changer is the bar. It is painted red and you will get scuffs of red paint on your rims.

I also added a gas strut to hold the bead breaker up out of the way.

 

[Relax]

How tall are you and how much do you weigh? I know, weird question, right? But at 5'5 and 150 lbs, I didn't have the height or weight to get proper leverage on my customized Harbor Freight changer that was bolted to my floor. I cut it down by about a foot to get better leverage, but that still wasn't enough. Soft-sidewall tires went on pretty easily, but stiffer ones like Dunlops always caused problems and I needed an extra hand (the HF changer's weak frame wouldn't always clamp the wheel firmly enough to keep it from spinning). And forget about car tires, especially in the winter in an unheated garage. I did add the Mojo Blocks to it to prevent scratching, as well as a No-Scuff Tire Tool which worked a little better than the NoMar bar. NoMar's tire paste is awesome, though.

After looking back on what I spent on that contraption, I was thinking about getting a NoMar, but then realized that it wasn't much more to get an actual machine used. So I found a Ranger R980 along with a John Bean 4100 balancer for $500 from a shop that was moving. Tire changes are a joy now.

 

[trs71]

older thread, but is the HF alone, good enough for a few tires?

Also what's the biggest rim size or can you modify it?

Duckbill worth it?

Also would a 50's-60 manual changer be better? Round big base.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

How do you balance the wheels after you mount the tires? The tire shop I go to has a laser guided leveling machine that looks expensive.

 

[trs71]

I'm thinking cheap bubble balancer- Comp aired to an electronic static, which must be calibrated often, and there is also the risk of Joe Bob's help even installing the weights correctly, plus you can do it as often as you like for free...bubble balancer is diy good enough.

 

[vavet]

I bought the HF changer a few years ago, struggled through two utility trailer tires, and sold it for the same amount I paid for it because they were no longer available in stores. I scratched the hell out of the steel wheels, but it was an old trailer and I didn’t care. There’s no way I’d try to do it on a wheel I had a modicum of care for. With the extra attachment, maybe it’s viable, but you end up investing so much that it made me question to the viability of it.
I see the HF unit is now black. New supplier perhaps?
i can certainly see more value if you have a lot of pieces of rolling stock, tractors, trailers, trucks, wagons, atvs, and various farm implements. For me, our two daily drivers, a riding mower, and a utility trailer…it just didn’t make sense to have it taking up space.

 

[theoldwizard1]

older thread, but is the HF alone, good enough for a few tires?

The key to any tire changer is properly mounting it to the floor !

The HF can be easily bent/broken, so buyer beware !

The best manual changers are made by NoMar.

Also would a 50's-60 manual changer be better? Round big base.

If you find an old from the 60s or 70s, BUY IT !

 

[ex-x-fire]

older thread, but is the HF alone, good enough for a few tires?

Also what's the biggest rim size or can you modify it?

Duckbill worth it?

Also would a 50's-60 manual changer be better? Round big base.

Some guys are doing larger low profile tires with duck bill mod on HF tire changer. I'm starting to gather pieces for my version. I'm going to be using bearings to make it a smooth operator.

 

[p00p]

Largest I've done without damaging the wheel is a 19".

The adjustable kit & duck kit will greatly reduce the frustration imo.

Soapy water is highly recommended too.

 

[Sumboodie]

How are you balancing them?

Local place is $60 for mount and balance of 4 tires. I'd never come out ahead buying a tire machine and balancer.

 

[Relax]

Rabaconda is my new favorite manual changer, but I still love my Ranger.

 

[trs71]

HFT just updsated the changer with some of the home hack improvement. You have to bolt it to the floor!! #1 issue.
I was checking out a lot of videos, you can make a better bar with a coats "duck head" for $20

Also the duck heard arms are not cheap-BUT there is an Ebayer with Texas steel only, u-paint and polish it, for about $100

$35 here
but $25.00 carry in only, each tire under the table here per, my $5 (in-ground-hoist) old guy died...

SO-
2 trailers,
4 boats
3 atv's
8 cars
Do the math

 

[trs71]

How are you balancing them?

Local place is $60 for mount and balance of 4 tires. I'd never come out ahead buying a tire machine and balancer.

Amazon bubble balancer (seems the recommended choice) or HFT. There are mods to improve on the 'tube, and what to inspect.

There are many video comparing an electronic static to bubble, they are equal or a hair different.
(I always wonder when the hair wrong ones happen, when the last time the spin balancer was serviced, if ever LOL)

Also you can rebalance any time you want.

And 100% the guy doing 200 tires a day isn't going to be as precise as you can be.

 

[428PI]

Bought a 1300 dollar Chinese tire machine and electronic balancer combo 7 years ago. Love being able to do my tires when I feel like it and balance them when I feel like it.

 

[Sumboodie]

Amazon bubble balancer (seems the recommended choice) or HFT. There are mods to improve on the 'tube, and what to inspect.

There are many video comparing an electronic static to bubble, they are equal or a hair different.
(I always wonder when the hair wrong ones happen, when the last time the spin balancer was serviced, if ever LOL)

Also you can rebalance any time you want.

And 100% the guy doing 200 tires a day isn't going to be as precise as you can be.

I worked at Sears as a lube tech. I never let tires go until they zeroed on the balancer, and that was SOP.

 

[trs71]

Bought a 1300 dollar Chinese tire machine and electronic balancer combo 7 years ago. Love being able to do my tires when I feel like it and balance them when I feel like it.

Yes my neighbor wanted me to buy his asian one, works good but the room and weight and price and lifespan+ cost.... The manual w/ duckbill works at least as good, no electricity required.

Im installing outside on patio with threaded anchors with removable bolts.

Going to use it for my huge vice, compact bender, chop saw and tire changer and whatever needs to be bolted down temporarily for use.