Mounting and dismounting any commercial or passenger vehicle’s worn tire is a tiresome and rugged task without a tire changer. Similarly, choosing the right changer for your auto repair shop is like weighing the pros and cons for customer satisfaction and efficient service. But to determine the best fit for your shop, you need a quick look, a keen eye, and a budget to make an informed decision.
Do you want to know what you need to look at? Stop right away and understand your shop’s specific needs. Standing out among competitors is not just about productivity and certification; it’s the blend of technical know-how and the right equipment that will make your shop more credible.
Things to Consider While Choosing a Tire Changer for Your Shop
But how will you choose the one when the market has so many options? In this blog, we will answer all the questions about how to choose the right tire changer for your shop. Do not miss a beat till the end.
Pick the One: A Manual, Electric, or Automatic
Selecting a tire-changing machine is not like choosing a one-size-fits-all solution; every shop has a different budget and scalability, so it is essential to understand what’s most beneficial for your auto repair shop. Let’s look at a few different types you may have heard of before.
Manual Tire Changers
Are you under budget constraints? Then manual tire changers are a basic type to tuck into your shop. They have the tire bead breaker and mounting/demounting tool, making them the best changers with simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, they are easily portable. However, they are often back-breaking for your technicians to use requiring lots of physical labor.
Electric Tire Changers
Do you have a smaller or newer shop? The electric tire machines are your go-getter. With the powered assistance, you can handle specialized tires. Although it’s a perfect fit for smaller and newer shops it also needs space and budget. These tire changers have electric motors so you won’t have to worry about buying an air compressor. However, it’s important to check that you have the proper voltage of electricity in your shop before installation.
Automatic Tire Changers
Innovation begins with automatic tire machines. With minimal manual intervention from your tech, they are easy-to-use for mounting low-profile and run-flat tires. Conclusively, they fully automate operations smoothly and quickly. These tire changers do all the heavy lifting and make changing a tire very easy for technicians.
Understand the Types of Tire-changing Machines
When it comes to tire changers, there are several types available in the market, each designed for specific purposes and applications. Understanding the different types of tire changers can help you narrow down your options and choose the one that best suits your shop’s needs. These machines come in various designs with features suited to different types and sizes of tires.
First, let’s talk about the two different mounting styles of Tire Changers; rim clamp and center post.
Rim Clamp Tire Changers
Rim clamp tire chargers use what’s called a tabletop to support and clamp the tire for mounting and dismounting. They are designed to handle a variety of tire and wheel sizes, making them versatile for different types of vehicles. The machine has four adjustable clamps that secure the wheel by the rim. Depending on the design, these clamps can be adjusted to fit different wheel sizes and can either grip the wheel from the inside of the rim or the outside. At Coats, we offer two lines of rim clamp tire changers. Our Maxx Series is our most popular rim clamp option and with good reason. It offers users maximum speed and flexibility to change a wide variety of tire types and sizes, all while being built to last. We also have our RC series which is our budget basics line of rim clamp tire changers. These tire changers are built for shops that are just getting started or don’t see a high volume of tires daily.
Center Post Tire Changers
Instead of using clamps to secure the wheel, a center post tire changer uses a central post or shaft that goes through the center of the wheel’s hub. This method provides a secure hold and is particularly effective for wheels with larger center holes or those that might be damaged by traditional clamping methods. Center post tire changers are particularly useful for high-end, delicate, or specialty wheels where preserving the wheel’s finish is critical. At Coats, our C-Series line of Center Post Tire Changers focus on precision and wheel protection, two things that are highly important when you’re working on delicate aftermarket wheels.
After you’ve decided which mounting style works best for your application, you’ll want to consider what type of tool head design is best suited for you. Here are some of the most popular styles:
Swing Arm Changers
Swing arm tire changers, like our Maxx Series, come with an adjustable tabletop capable of handling tough jobs. The swing arm enables the technician to shift the mount/demount arm away from the turntable, providing ample space for positioning rims and tires in the mount/demount clamping area. Their wider clamping range and four simultaneous adjustable jaws make them user-friendly and precise. Swing arm changers are efficient, cost-effective, and popular for high-volume operations.
Tilt-Back Changers
Tilt-back changers feature a vertical column that tilts back like our APS3000, allowing more room for mounting and demounting tires. They have advanced features like powerful bead loosener disks, Robo-Arm®, and Leverless Duckhead, making them suitable for handling larger and wider tires with ease Known for its practicality and speed, this type is more user-friendly but also more expensive than swing arm models. It doesn’t require adjustable attachments, making it a safer and more efficient choice, especially for less experienced technicians.
Leverless Tire Changers
Leverless tire changers aim to transform the tire-changing process. These modern machines use bead lifters and clamp tires in the middle to work with many tires like run-flats and low-profile ones. This makes the job safer for technicians. It also lowers the chance of damaging the tire’s bead, which makes changing tires quicker and safer. Although they require some training, these machines are highly efficient and adaptable to future technological advancements. They automate the lifting and setup of heavy tire rims. Leverless changers are a significant investment but offer superior efficiency and are best for skilled workers.
Heavy-duty Tire Changer
Heavy-duty tire changers are designed for large tires on off-road, agricultural, and construction vehicles, handling wheels up to 56 inches in diameter and 43 inches wide. For example, the Coats CHD 6330 Heavy Duty Tire Changer is ideal for most heavy-duty, off-road, and agricultural applications. Some models can manage even larger tires, up to 95 inches. These machines use a hydraulic, self-centering four-jaw chuck for mounting and dismounting, and advanced versions can clamp jaws from 14 inches to 58 inches from the wheel’s center bore.
Swing Arm Changers
Swing arm tire changers are robust machines with an adjustable tabletop capable of handling tough jobs. Their wider clamping range and four simultaneous adjustable jaws make them user-friendly and precise. Hi-grip jaw covers provide mounting torque to protect wheels. Although technicians need to unscrew the head to accommodate different tire sizes, swing arm changers are efficient, cost-effective, and popular for high-volume operations.
Key Drivers to Consider
When choosing a tire changing machines for your auto repair shop, there are several key factors to consider to ensure you make the right decision. Pick the one that’s right for you. Here are the factors to consider:
Day-to-Day Vehicles Growth
What’s the average number of vehicles in/out of your shop? What’s the daily, weekly, or monthly ratio of mounting/demounting vehicles? This information is used to select tire changers for your shop. It’s necessary for the future of your business but also aligns with the current and anticipated volume of tire changes in your shop.
Serviced Vehicles
Is your shop dealing with heavy trucks, small cars, or commercial vehicles? What are your shop’s most serviced vehicles? Ask these questions before buying machines to make sure you get the right one. Every vehicle has a different rim diameter and different tire changers are designed to handle different types of tires. Pick the appropriate servicing category and place machines in your shop accordingly.
WxLxH of Shop
Every machine has a different size and fit, just like every tire has different rims and built-in safety. Check the tire’s placement prior to purchase. Consider all the factors, like where to install it, what area it is in, and where it is suitable. It’s crucial to avoid purchasing a tire changer that is either too small or too large for your shop’s requirements. A tire changer that is too small may not be able to handle the volume or size of tires you work with, while a machine that is too large may take up unnecessary space and lead to inefficiencies in your shop’s layout. Be sure to use our free installation for your chosen Coats Tire Changer machine to keep your warranty.
Technical Features
What’s to look for in a machine from a technical perspective? Technology is rapidly evolving, so thus the auto repair industry needs to keep up with the ever changing times. In addition to improved efficiency, investing in a high-quality tire changers can enhance the safety of your shop’s operations. Advanced features such as robo rollers, integrated wheel lifts, and extended clamps can help prevent accidents and injuries during tire changes, ensuring a secure and reliable process for your technicians.
Budgeting Plans
Regardless of your shop’s size or budget, it’s important to prioritize quality and reliability when selecting a tire changer. Look for reputable brands with a track record of producing durable and high-performance tire changers like Coats and consider factors such as warranty coverage and customer support when making your decision. One common mistake is selecting a tire changer based solely on price, without considering factors such as the machine’s features, specifications, and compatibility with your shop’s needs. Choosing the most expensive machine also does not mean that it will be the most compatible with your shop and your needs. Consider your technicians’ abilities, will it make your shop more efficient or slow everyone down with a huge learning curve? Will it make your business more profitable? Calculate your expected cost, financial situation, and ROI to determine if the investment is worth chasing. Use this handy ROI calculator to see how quickly your purchase will pay off.
Maintenance and care tips for your tire changer
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Regular Maintenance
To ensure the long-term performance and durability of your tire changer, it’s essential to follow proper maintenance and care practices. Regular maintenance tasks such as cleaning the machine, lubricating moving parts, and inspecting for wear and tear can help prevent breakdowns and extend the lifespan of your tire changer.
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Follow the Guidelines
It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance and servicing, including recommended intervals for replacing consumable parts such as clamps, seals, and hydraulic hoses. By staying proactive with maintenance, you can avoid costly repairs and downtime that can impact your shop’s operations.
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Train Your Technicians
Another important aspect of caring for your tire changer is training your technicians on proper operation and safety procedures. Provide comprehensive training on how to use the tire changer correctly, including best practices for handling different tire sizes, operating the machine’s controls, and ensuring a secure fit for the tire on the wheel.
Are you looking for a no-brainer when buying tire changers? Then, the Coats Company is top of the line choice for you. With our best-sellers and top-quality tires, your shop’s efficiency and service quality will not only improve, but you will also earn more profits. You can buy our Coats Maxx Series Tire Changer or any other changing machine by understanding your needs and balancing the budget. Invest wisely, and your new tire changer will become a cornerstone of your shop’s success, helping you deliver top-notch service to your customers and keeping your operations running smoothly.
Choose the best, and watch your shop thrive!
