Tire Changer Buying Guide

One of an essential pieces of equipment any garage needs is a tire changer. These machines help perform a very commonly required task quickly and easily, helping you change tires regularly and saving you time and effort. While no shop should be without a high-quality tire changer, choosing the right one for your needs is an important step to ensure you get the performance you expect. Look through the different types of machines in this tire changer buying guide so you can make sure you pick the right one for your garage.

Swing Arm

Ready to handle the toughest tires on the market, these are a popular choice because they are easy to use and very affordable. These machines use four tabletop jaws with a fully adjustable tabletop providing a wider range of clamping and helping eliminate potential mistakes. One downside of this design is that you need to unscrew the head to fit in different size tires so that they can require a little more time than other options. With their versatility and intuitive operation, however, they are a great choice for large shops that handle a high volume of work.

Tilt Back

The biggest alternative to the swing arm design, tilt back tire changers operate with a tower that can tilt back to fit in larger tires, then moving back into place. They provide a faster operation and a more practical use than swing arm options. However, they are also often more expensive. Since they do not need to use adjustable bases and attachments, they can be more intuitive and safer options, ensuring you perform quality work every time. This makes them a great choice for shops with newer, less experienced mechanics to increase safety and minimize operator fatigue.

Leverless

The top of the line in tire changing technology and at a premium price as well. These machines lift and set up heavy tires on their own, which has earned them the name “touchless” tire changers. They can operate on a lot of wheels, all without requiring the operator to constantly bend down. This convenience does require a bit of training to use, however, so they are best suited for highly skilled professional shops.

Manual

The most affordable option, manual tire changers are used by the operator to work on tires with the power and precision they need to get the job done. Unlike other more automatic options, they require a lot more effort, making them a poor choice for shops that have a high volume of traffic. For smaller garages and amateurs, they are a great choice to get the performance necessary to get the job done without spending a high price.

Our tire changer buying guide should be able to help you make a decision which type will be the perfect solution for your repair shop.