Technological advances in the automobile industry mean that repair shops have to keep up at the same pace. Instead of relying on several technicians to operate on one vehicle at a time, you can implement tire changing machines to help with the dismounting and mounting process. Once the equipment removes the assembly, workers have what they need at their fingertips. They have the necessary components to remove and replace the tire from the vehicle’s wheel without wasting time, damaging the tire or hurting themselves.
A variety of tire changers allow you to work on a range of wheels from vehicles such as motorcycles, heavy-duty trucks and cars. Components of a tire changer include:
Foot pedals
Mount and dismount mechanism
Air pressure system
Tabletop
Rim clamps
Bead loosening structure
The purpose of a tire changer is to make the tire dismounting and mounting procedure more efficient and safe to help keep operations flowing. Many different features are available for your specific tasks and vehicles. But how much can the technology truly support your workers? The national estimate of employees who change and repair tires is about 114,700 people as of May 2017.
The top five industries with the highest employment of tire changers are automotive parts, accessories and tire stores; automobile dealers; general merchandise stores; automotive repair and maintenance shops and motor vehicle, parts and supplies merchants. From there, the automotive parts, accessories and tire sector has the highest number of employees at 84,500.
Whether you are one of the top five industries, work in your garage at home or are a racecar enthusiast, tire changers can support you or your technicians with a faster, safer and less exhausting process.
Types of Tire Changers
Like all pieces of equipment in your auto body shop or garage, tire changers should suit your particular needs. The machines have various designs with different features to support the types and sizes of tires in the shop. Here are six of the most common styles of tire changers.
1. Swing Arm
A swing arm tire changing machine can handle the toughest jobs thanks to its adjustable tabletop. Swing arms can take on a broader clamping range, making it easier to use than other options. With four tabletop jaws, the device allows you to adjust all four at the same time to limit any mistakes. The hi-grip jaw covers deliver mounting torque to protect the wheels, too.
However, technicians must unscrew the machine’s head to fit different sizes of tires. While it may take a bit more time to adhere to various tire sizes, swing arm tire changers remain at the top of the list for efficiency. They can handle high-volume changes and are a popular solution because they’re affordable and straightforward to operate.
2. Tilt Back
Equipped with a tower that can angle back to fit large tires, the tilt back machine can then move back into place with ease. It’s famous for being practical and delivering fast operations. But while it’s easier to use, it’s also a bit more expensive compared to swing arm versions.
The tire changer tilts back so you can add larger tires, making it easier than screwing and unscrewing the head. It doesn’t require adjustable attachments and bases and can be a safer solution, ensuring top-notch work each time. In this case, it’s a great investment if your crew is less experienced with tire changers.
3. Leverless
Also known as touchless tire changers, leverless devices are excellent alternatives if you often change low-profile, run flat tires. Although they require training, leverless changers deliver extreme levels of efficiency and adaptability for future innovations. The machines lift and set up heavy tire rims without manual help from operators, eliminating the need for your workers to bend down each time.
Touchless tire changers are a vast investment, but for the efficiency you receive, they are at the forefront of tire changing technology. The equipment performs work on its own and is ideal for more skilled workers that have developed training.
4. Manual
As you can guess, manual machines need more effort from your crew members. If you are a large shop that specializes in tire changes and repairs, your go-to should be one of hydraulic nature. Manual tire changers are ideal for small garages and shops because they are more practical for occasional tire services. They are also the most economical solution. While they require physical help from you and your team, they take out all the hard work of doing it solo.
5. Heavy-duty
When it comes to larger tires, you need the proper tool to handle their size and weight. Heavy-duty tire changers work well for off-road, agricultural and construction vehicles that have wheels up to 56 inches in diameter and tires up to 90.5 inches that are 43 inches wide. Additionally, even larger versions can work with tires up to 95 inches. They mount and dismount the wheel, featuring a hydraulic, self-centering four jaw chuck. The advanced options have clamping jaws that can work with 14 inches to 58 inches from the center bore, or either side of the wheel’s inside.
6. Motorcycle
Motorcycles have smaller and lighter tires compared to a heavy-duty, passenger car or a light truck. Tire changers for motorcycles have no reason to be more advanced than their counterparts because the machines deal with lighter wheels. With a bead loosening system and manually worked rim clamps, motorcycle changers can accommodate wheels ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches and 10 inches wide as well as ATV tires.
Models We Offer at North American Auto Equipment
North American Auto Equipment partners with top-tier brands to deliver a scheme of tire changers with the right features for your shop such as:
Complete automatic that includes a wheel lift for easy swap outs
Fully automatic dual-arm tire changer for hands-free service
Heavy-duty equipment tractor, large truck and bus tires
Semi-automatic ATV, motorcycle and scooter tire changer that handles high volumes
Semi-automatic changer with a fast bead-breaker system and the power to withstand 26-inch rims
Single-assist arm changer that can de-rim low-profile and regular tires
Our inventory includes:
CEMB SM 900+ with Press Arm
TC-650 - Heavy Duty Tire Changer
TC-950 – Semi-Automatic Tire Changer
TC-950.2 - Fully Automatic Tire Changer with Dual Assist Arms
TC-MC-A - Tire Changer Motorcycle/ATV Adapter Set
Benefits of Tire Changers
Anything that improves productivity and efficiency within your operations while contributing to a high return on investment is what sets you apart from competitors. You can gain a massive advantage when you invest in the right tire changer for the vehicles you work with.
1. Increase Efficiency and Profitability
Technology is what keeps every business at the forefront of its sector. Choosing a tire changer that includes suitable features for your auto shop or garage will help you and your crew balance time and services. Running a profitable company means you have to balance the volume of work while trying to support as many people as possible.
There is a fine line between not keeping your employees busy and having them overworking. But tire changers can help with the flow of operations as efficiency is crucial to keep things running.
2. Save Money, Time and Effort
Tire changing machines allow workers to spend less time performing repetitive tire changing tasks and gives them additional time to be productive in other areas. They can get more done or the small amount of extra time can even act as a period for them to regroup and take a break.
3. Improve Safety
Tire changers implement additional safety precautions for technicians. The equipment is safer for people to operate, reducing the possibility of injuries and downtime. Changers also ensure minimal damage to expensive and flashy rims of your customers, which reduces the likelihood of your shop being held liable for damaged tires and rims.
4. Keep Operators Less Fatigued
Having the help of tire changers makes life easier and hassle-free for your team. They can perform various services with one piece of equipment which can reduce their overall exhaustion. Having tire changers perform challenging tasks means your technicians will spend fewer resources and time on a single job.
Your business can now increase turnaround time, boost efficiency and eliminate the need for physical labor when changing tires. Tire changing tools are also a beneficial investment in the long-run that deliver reliability and profitable services.
How to Find the Right Tire Changer for You
Figuring out which type of tire changer is ideal for your specific tasks mean you must compare the specifications of each option. You need to choose one that suits the way you operate and change tires. For example, if you’re a high-volume shop specializing in tire changes and repairs, automatic machines are your best bet. But if you operate at medium levels or change tires several times a week as opposed to every day, semi-automatic or manual is your go-to solution.
The first three questions you need to ask in determining the ideal tire changer includes:
What size tires do you service?
What is the largest rim diameter size you need?
What types of wheels do you change?
You need to have an in-depth breakdown of what you need and the machine and features that will give you the most support. The average passenger cars and light-duty trucks can use standard center post machines which are great for typical steel wheels. If you’re handling more expensive aluminum and alloy rims, invest in rim clamp tire equipment which can control the rims without resulting in damage.
A Guide on What to Consider
Do you service performance tires? Select a tire changer with a mounting helper arm to aid in the mounting and dismounting process. They are also great for low-profile wheels with thick walls. Low-profile tires with large rims are becoming more popular, so if you can service these tires, your auto repair shop has a massive upper hand.
You should also consider run-flat tires because the average operator can’t handle this type, nor can the tires work with mounting helper arm machines. In this case, you need dual-mounting helper arms where the second arm delivers the necessary force to change the thick walls.
Different accessories and aspects of tire changers can reduce the amount of time your team spends on a vehicle and even how many people it requires to work the machine.
Features to look for and consider also include a large turntable and a significantly sized tilt-mechanism to accommodate various tire sizes that can adapt to different types. Each vehicle has different tires which in turn have different requirements. For example, electric cars often operate with low-rolling-resistance tires to boost fuel efficiency.
However, it also means they have stiffer sidewalls and harder rubber, making them more challenging to change. In this case, you may want to seek options that are power-operated to ensure the best serviceability for low-rolling-resistance tires. Do you run an advanced tire department? It’s wise to pick a tire changer that’s more modern, featuring assisting tools that improve efficiency as well as safety. They decrease the chances of damaging wheels too.
Think About PSI and Voltage
Other features to consider are the psi of your air compressor and the voltage of the tire changer. The air compressor should be capable of at least 150 psi to help prevent bead breaking. Looking at different voltages, you have two options — 110V or 220V. While there is not a huge difference between the two since they consume an equal amount of wattage, the 220V changer runs at half the amperage. In other words, the amperage of a 110V machine is twice as much as a 220V. Choosing between the two depends on your specific usage.
When it comes to heavy wall truck or performance tires, a 220V tire changer gives you a huge advantage. There will be a higher chance of the equipment restarting and continuing after a stall out.
Light-duty vehicles often have aluminum rims, tire-pressure monitoring system sensors and run-flat tires. Once you place it on a tire changer, the equipment may stop running — even with proper lube and security. There are also instances where an operator may need to take their foot off the pedal because of tension from the bead pulling the mount head toward the rim or if they need to make adjustments to the tire bar.
Tire changers with 220V are useful in these situations to help prevent harm to the rim. The tool gives you the ability to move the turntable as the bead gets tighter and enables you to make adjustments to tension without worry about the turntable refusing to rotate. If your shop’s electrical supply is capable, go for the 220V equipment. While the 110V alternative saves electricity and is suitable for occasional use, a 220V version is more efficient.
It all comes down to thinking about the size and type of tires your business services, the number of vehicles that turn through your shop, the size of your garage, the skill of your technicians and your budget.
Whatever tire changer you acquire, it must operate for all the types of vehicles you service. You will want to make sure the machine can adjust to future changes and that it will increase efficiency, helping you save money and boost income. You can pay off the investment in a matter of months whether you operate a garage or need it for your shop at home.
Check out the Tire Changers Available From North American Auto Equipment
North American Auto Equipment has an inventory of tire changers from top-tier brands that meet your requirements. Whether you’re a high-volume tire garage, auto body shop, racecar enthusiast or enjoy classic vehicles, we strive to understand the nature of your tire changing needs. If tire changing is at the heart of your business or you perform occasional services, our professionals can help educate you on the best products for your specific application.
National American Auto Equipment is a hands-on company that even offers parts and tech support along with our valuable products. Our mechanics are well-trained and use high-quality tools. We provide exceptional after sale care and give honest answers. Along with a one year warranty on parts and a five-year warranty on products, we offer competitive financing rates and never sacrifice quality or durability.
Browse our stock of tire changers or reach out to our experts for more details about which tire changer is best for your business or situation. To stay updated, check out our website and online store as often as possible because it continually updates with new machines and information.
