Ok,
Between my and my wife, we have 3 personlal vehicles, my company has 4 vehicles (trucks) and we also have 2 large trailers.... Needless to say we go through a lot of tires, especially our work trucks, which easily go through 4 tires per year. I was wondering if any of you have tire changing machines that you use for work or for racing. I am thinking about getting one and doing all of our tire work in-house. I should also mention that our work vehicles and trailers get nails in them often as well which also need to be repaired. I figure I'll be in business another 25 years or so unless I win the lottery or die, so it will be a good long term investment.
But I am not sure what to buy. Certainly I would like to buy the cheapest, most reliable unit I can get that will change 20" truck tires to the tires on my tt.. So if anyone has any recommendations for a tire machine that will handle that range of tires i would appreciate it. Oh and changing atv and motorcycle tires wouldn't be a bad idea either.
Thanks
scott

 

You're better off getting a good machine designed for alloy rims rather than a lesser expensive machine. You'll also need a high quality compressor and spin balance machine. This is all going to cost you a few bucks but it's tax deductable for your business. Changing tires takes practice if you're working on expensive rims. Practice on your trucks and such first. Patching tire is no big deal, usualling finding the leak is the biggest part of the job so get a tire tank. I know people think this is so easy when they watch some 18 YO do it. My nephew is 19 and changes up to 40 tires a day, so he gets more experience in one day than non professionals do in a year. Under no circumstances should you attempt to change tires on split rim truck wheels unless you have a cage and know what your doing. I go look at what Discount Tires or Costco shops use for equipment.

 

The balancer will definitely be the largest part of the investment. I'd contact some larger shops to see how often they sell their used equipment, especially local guys in your area.

 

I already knwo how to change tires. The machine is pretty simplt ot use. I also already know how to fix leaks. When I was younger, I worked for firestone for a stint.. I figured I would need a balance as well.. I am familiar with the coats machines, but i am not sure which model to get.. They have some fairly affordable models <$3 K, but I am not sure if i need to spend more for reliability and for seating the beads on larger tires and rims...