Tyre machine

[Erie Fred]

Maybe I should up my fitting price - I will have another glass of wine and think about it

Stocking tyres is just a hiding to nothing - unless you a big town centre tyre bay doing large volumes daily.

Interesting. I use a couple of independent tire places, and they all say "I can have it here in 2 days, no shipping, truck comes every other day"

I see pick up trucks with tire racks on back running around from these tire warehouses, the names I have never seen before (not well known retailers, must be industry only)

 

[Melvyn Best]

I've been told that if you buy a tyre thats been stacked and squashed, it helps for seating and getting it inflated if, before fitting, you blow up an inner tube in the tyre to expand it and leave like that for a day or two.

That works IF you have the time

 

[Bornfree]

I upgraded my workshop one last year.

Bought a Corghi - as the last one was a Corghi and it lasted well - gearbox went in the end.

I bought a single phase 24" full auto one with three way helper arms for doing run flats this time. Plus I bought the full set of motorcycle wheel clamp adapters/pads as well.

I did have a bit of deal on it - but it was still big money... I don't actually sell that many tyres to be honest - I don't stock any now - mostly I buy them trade at local indie tyre bay and they fit them (even thou I got a brand new shiny tyre machine) - if it was not for the fact I got a decent wheel balancer with a good motorcycle adapter - I was thinking not to bother replacing my tyre machine when it pooped itself.

But I do change a few motorcycle tyres for myself and a lot for other people - as all local tyre bays won't touch bike wheels. If you bring me the wheels out of the bike and a tyres you got off the internet - I charge £22.50 a rim to fit including tyre disposal (plus valves/tubes/weights). Most bike shops wanna supply and fit - not just fit (who could blame them?)

I don't remove bike wheels here - well I will if you a kid on a moped/scooter/125cc learner bike and you pushed it into the yard with a puncture. But mostly these need tyres and I end up getting stuck with bikes in the workshop - till the parents of said teenager fund a new tyre. I do stock a few tubes for this job.

I also sell allot of sets of four tyre valve pressure sensors (mostly Fords) - and have the TPMS kit to live them up on other makes - program them. Without a tyre machine - I would be begging the local tyre bays to push the beads back to fit these. So I do need a tyre machine.

Buying in and stocking tyres and selling them fitted is low margin work - you gotta do allot of them to earn your money. Plus people will order expensive tyres and never come back to get them fitted. It is one of them jobs where it only works if you doing a big volume.

There was a time when 21" and 22" tyre changers were big machines - now they sell 25" 26" ones for cars and vans.

If you not gonna do too many tyres - a semi auto one will do - bigger inch wise you buy the better. Helper arms are must for run flats.

I am tight/mean - and I like secondhand stuff (because it is cheaper). But tyre machines get worked like a Blackpool Donkey on a hot summers day in tyre bays. Chances of finding one that is any good - is slim to remote.

I can get tyres off anything and change them with levers - but it is hard work and you gonna mark the rims for sure.... That is the downside of manual tyre changers - marking the rims.

That's handy to know I always need motorcycle tyres changed.

 

[sickpup]

The manual machines generally take up more room than the air operated ones as they require a leverage bar, they also need bolting down as you put a lot of force through them. I've no experience of the electric ones.
Air ones can be moved relatively easily, they only weigh around 100kg so can be put out of the way in a corner when not in use.
I've run my Butler Superbyke off a small 50 litre compressor without a problem but it runs better off my big 14cfm compressor.

You can pick up second hand air operated machines for in the region of £3-500. They'll be worn out so no use in a pro environment but fine for home use and will last forever with little maintenance, just an inline oiler.
Quick look at Ebay and there are a lot overpriced buy it now but also a fair amount at fair prices.

If you want to stretch for a new machine, Dirty Pro Tools are doing rebadged China made machines for cheaper than anyone else but they are rarely in stock, they sell out so quick.

@premmington
I know of dealers who charge an hours labour to fit a single motorcycle tyre when the wheel is on the bike. Most of the profit for motorcycle tyres is the fitting as anyone can buy for near trade off Ebay.

 

[Farside]

I'm not after a pro machine - "a cheapy should do", Chinas finest manual type. There was another thread recently but I cant find it..

Something like this?

Sealey TC960 Tyre Changer Manual Operation | eBay UK

Steel construction with manual bead breaker. Suitable for use on most open centred wheels. Supplied with tyre bar. TC963 Tyre Bar.Product Specification. Optional Accessories: TC963 - Tyre Bar for Aluminium Wheels.

www.ebay.co.uk

I'm aware it'll need a soft duck head for use with alloys.
Is there a better type for under £200?

I have one of those, picked it up for 25 quid or something like that. It's been great, but it still needs a fair bit of grunt. All the same, over the decade I've had it, I've saved at least 2/6d from not being reliant on the local tyre shop.

 

[Bobtail4x4]

I was quoted £25 a tyre to swap rims recently,
I remembered I have one of them,

yes I worked up a sweat,

 

[MysterG]

Bought a cheap copy of the manual Sealey one a couple of weeks ago for around £46 off Ebay.
Wanted to swap tyres on my 13" steel Midget wheels.
Spent best part of a day fixing it to the floor (crap anchors), getting a tyre off then trying to refit a tyre.
Off was easy, on again not so much, practised repeatedly with the old punctured tyre, but just could not get the last 1/4 bead back on. Gave up in disgust.

After searching and reading up, I tried again a few days later and came to the conclusion that for my wheels at least fitting from the rear of the rim worked best due to the shape of the well the tyre needs to drop into.
Did all four (five actually, I swapped the one on the spare too) in a couple of hours. That included jacking up, removing a wheel at a time etc.

Once I got the knack it was relatively painless. Easy enough to unbolt from the floor and store too.

 

[nickk]

Filling it with lighter fluid and lighting it up is faster I hear...

Acetylene

 

[Bornfree]

Acetylene

Needs a snift of oxygen as well

 

[Erie Fred]

Bought a cheap copy of the manual Sealey one a couple of weeks ago for around £46 off Ebay.
Wanted to swap tyres on my 13" steel Midget wheels.
Spent best part of a day fixing it to the floor (crap anchors), getting a tyre off then trying to refit a tyre.
Off was easy, on again not so much, practised repeatedly with the old punctured tyre, but just could not get the last 1/4 bead back on. Gave up in disgust.

After searching and reading up, I tried again a few days later and came to the conclusion that for my wheels at least fitting from the rear of the rim worked best due to the shape of the well the tyre needs to drop into.
Did all four (five actually, I swapped the one on the spare too) in a couple of hours. That included jacking up, removing a wheel at a time etc.

Once I got the knack it was relatively painless. Easy enough to unbolt from the floor and store too.

Yes, it was shown to me when I started out, as the tire machine struggled on 16" truck tires.
Get that bead down into the drop section fast (as the bar came around) or you'll get stuck

 

[Jack_K]

I'm not after a pro machine - "a cheapy should do", Chinas finest manual type. There was another thread recently but I cant find it..

Something like this?

Sealey TC960 Tyre Changer Manual Operation | eBay UK

Steel construction with manual bead breaker. Suitable for use on most open centred wheels. Supplied with tyre bar. TC963 Tyre Bar.Product Specification. Optional Accessories: TC963 - Tyre Bar for Aluminium Wheels.

www.ebay.co.uk

I'm aware it'll need a soft duck head for use with alloys.
Is there a better type for under £200?

They work but are a lot of work, especially on old hard tyres. Often I've needed two people to move the bar. I have to stop after every tyre. They kind of take up more space than a proper machine since they need to be in an open position.

I have used it to break the bead on ancient truck tyres on split rims.

I now have an old one with a pneumatic bead breaker and rim clamping. I want to upgrade to a modern proper machine when I can find one cheap enough.

 

[MysterG]

The tyres I was removing had been on for 30 years!
I found soapy water best when breaking the beads as it creeps right in.
Bought some proper tyre lube for refitting.

 

[Kram]

Garage does not have power and is a good distance away from my house and shed, where the compressor lives. Air operated would not be practical unless it would run from a small car inflator.

Manual one would take seconds to unbolt and move out of the way, looks small enough it can hang on ceiling or right in the corner.


I dont mind a bit of physical effort.

I do have a Stenor bead breaker but I remember it being too small for the car tires perfect for motorcycle.

I've always used a soap lather to lube tyres, I'll get the proper stuff.


Getting irritated with ebay, the item was collection only and no reply from the seller. I might cancel it

 

[julianf]

There seems to be a flurry of cheap bead breakers on ebay all of a sudden, eg -

Car Tyre Changer Tyre Bead Breaker Wheel Tire Changer Tool Rim Clamp Repair Tool | eBay UK

Note: The manual bead breaker Operates with an Air Ratchet or Manual Wrench, Do not use impact wrench. Step 1: Place the bead breaker on the rim, with its teeth and bead breaker feet between the rim and bead.

www.ebay.co.uk

I know this wont refit the tyre, but you mention your current one being too small. Im guessing these would be just as bad, but i mention them just in case!

 

[sickpup]

Garage does not have power and is a good distance away from my house and shed, where the compressor lives. Air operated would not be practical unless it would run from a small car inflator.

That's that airline hoses are for.

There seems to be a flurry of cheap bead breakers on ebay all of a sudden, eg -

Car Tyre Changer Tyre Bead Breaker Wheel Tire Changer Tool Rim Clamp Repair Tool | eBay UK

Note: The manual bead breaker Operates with an Air Ratchet or Manual Wrench, Do not use impact wrench. Step 1: Place the bead breaker on the rim, with its teeth and bead breaker feet between the rim and bead.

www.ebay.co.uk

View attachment 499838


I know this wont refit the tyre, but you mention your current one being too small. Im guessing these would be just as bad, but i mention them just in case!

Not really for car tyres, more tractor tyres.

 

[Kram]

That's that airline hoses are for.

I have no wish to buy, store, uncoil and recoil 70 meters of airline hose just to save a couple minutes of effort.

 

[sickpup]

I have no wish to buy, store, uncoil and recoil 70 meters of airline hose just to save a couple minutes of effort.

That's fair. Good luck with the manual changer, they really are hard work on old or cold tyres.

 

[Erie Fred]

One thing I have found on bead breaking tough beads.

The majority of bead breakers using a hand lever, or air powered,
use a single point to break the bead.

My tire machine is one with a disc wheel, and the rim rotates while a cylinder
applies pressure to push the bead off.

This method I have found works better, as you can let the rim rotate 'round & 'round
while the disc slowly works the bead off, you have full control using the pressure to the cylinder to keep from tearing things up.

 

[qwakers]

You got a video of how that works? Can't picture it.

 

[bricol]

I have a manual one - does struggle to seat into the bead, but I've not yet got round to improving it. Simply tore a tyre last week - which was when I remembered they must be 25 yr old at least.