tyre machine and balancer recommendations

[knighty]

looking to buy a used tyre machine and balancer but I don't know any of the brands I can see

any recommendations anyone?

I average probably one tyre a fortnight

sprinter and transit 10 ply tyres so they're a bit tougher than normal tyres but nothing terrible, no run flats etc. etc.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Looked in to buying a new one? - I have an Automotech one (good company to deal with), it is just a generic Chinese machine which is rebranded by a few companies. More than good enough for the very low volume I do.
I considered buying a used one, like a Corghi or Hofmann, but most of the ones I saw looked pretty rough and were going for about the same money as a new one.

Noticed a few machines from the established brands bear some striking similarities to the Chinese ones, so I'm not entirely sure there is much difference anymore at the cheaper end of the market at least.

 

[James1979]

Boy I'm helping tomorrow has a generic Chinese one and a balancer. think the pair was under a grand new. maybe. I'll take a photo. he does about the same volume as you, just his own vans.

They are fine for what they are. A tyre bay would probably kill them but if his do 5 a month its a hard month

 

[knighty]

from what I've seen new ones are £2000+ vs under £500 on ebay for a fairly new used one

there's a few Automotech, Corghi or Hofmann ones on... I'll keep an eye out for a bargain :-)

 

[m_c]

Tyre bay direct do cheap machines.

The issue with second hand ones, is most places will only replace them once they're worn out/beyond economical repair.

 

[premmington]

Tyre bay direct do cheap machines.

The issue with second hand ones, is most places will only replace them once they're worn out/beyond economical repair.

You would not want a tyre machine after we have finished with one.

I just bought a new one last year - leverless one.

 

[8ob]

I bought an old snotter of a bead breaker/tyre changer combo about ten years ago for about £250 and other than a motor change it hasn't missed a beat.

Bob

 

[mr haynes]

For your usage it be easier and less space to have a local puncture guy.
But who doesn't want 'new' toys
I'd be tempted to go for the cheapest one can find that still moreorless works. Bit broken with easy fix all the better
Definitely under £200

 

[knighty]

mechanic literally next door does all my tyres, but he's not cheap and he's not VAT registered so I lose that, he's taking forever for tyres these days... he's had one 3 weeks and I'm still waiting

I keep spare spares so I don't have to bother taking spares off vans to use, but 'm starting to run out of those

problem is he's a mate and I don't want him to take the hump when I go somewhere else

also, we work long hours, would be handy to be able to fix a tyre at short notice at 9pm instead of waiting till the next day

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

I had an automotech for ten years, still works perfectly