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tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by john allen on January 2, 2008, 9:04 pm

Hi all
im after some advice . im considering buying a tyre fitting and a balancer machines.ive just taken on a little more space in the workshop and and im considering going into supply and fitting of tyres but im at a loss as to what spec of machines i need. i dont expect to be fitting all day but i dont want to skimp and buy somthing that will need replacing in a couple of years. the main concern is a unit that will fit tyres without the risk of damage to the rims. do i need FULLY AUTOMATIC ? RACING ? 3 ADJUSTER ARMS ? in genaral any advice from the lads useing this gear would be a great help
thanks john
p.s ive been looking at some units made by launch sold through tyrebaydirect.com any help would be great
thanks again john.

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by simon stobbart on January 2, 2008, 10:12 pm, in reply to "tyre bay equipment (advice required)"
Simon Stobbart

Hi John
We upgraded our equipment last year and bought a fully automatic Hofmann megamount 501 with assistor arm and a Hofmann Megaspin 400 balancer both are superb bits of kit, well built and should last for years, great after sales service too.
cheers simon

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by Joe McGeoghan on January 3, 2008, 8:06 am, in reply to "tyre bay equipment (advice required)"
Joe McGeoghan

Buy the best fitting machine within your budget. We started with a Hoffman Monty 230 a few years ago. We added the (now essential) assister arm later; the machine now caters for virtually anything we see.

We bought a Hoffman hand-spin balancer; gave us years of service until the PCB suffered water ingress. Forget about parts back-up - utterly useless. We nave now scrapped the machine.

Don't make the mistake of buying a cheap balancer off Ebay, as we did. Ok for balancing 155/70/13s on steel rims in your shed at weekends, that's about it. (Just looked at the T-B-Direct kit - seems similar?)

Send Peugeots with no centre hole to local tyre depot for balancing - the adapter kits are not worth the money, unless you do lots.

Regards,

Joe

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by Keith Simpson on January 3, 2008, 9:28 am, in reply to "Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)"

You need to buy a tyre machine that will take up to 23inch wheels. I would go for three phase rather than single phase. Must have arm assistor. You dont need kit for centreless wheels very expensive for the amount of time you will use them. I would go for fully automatic but semi might be ok as a starter. Balancing machine I would go for the best you can afford, self calibration would be great. again three phase. Dont forget tyre deliveries you need a good back up, cant stock everthing.

Keith

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by john allen on January 3, 2008, 6:31 pm, in reply to "Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)"

Thanks for your replys. looks like hoffman seems to be the brand to go for. will count the pennies and see what i can get thanks again
john

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by Phil Dunmore on January 3, 2008, 11:14 pm, in reply to "Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)"
Philip Dunmore

Was fortunate to pick up a pair of machines almost new at a bankruptcy sale six years ago.
Machines are Italian Sice brand, supplied by AUTO4 in the UK. They supplied use with manuals free of charge when we had spent no money with them, supplied small maintenance parts and some accessories, always helfull on the phone.
Fitting machine is basic and reliable but will clamp no bigger than 19inch externally, have done 20inch internally but will get stuck one day. Has no extra arms but find it rare one man can't fit a tyre, sometimes need help with very low profile run flats. It's mostly technique & care. Automatic machines can damage rims easily!
Balancer is self calibrating single phase with lots of options for positioning weights, again care and reading the instructions gives good results.
We have fitted £1000-£2000 of tyres every month with these machines with no problems.
We don't stock any tyres, delivery within the hour from local stockist.

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by Tony Gould on January 4, 2008, 12:14 pm, in reply to "Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)"
Tony Gould

Hi John
There is a bit about changers in archives,to add to my previous comments the Boxer LX changer which we use can do up to 24" wheels is semi auto with assister arm, which is a must,does all of our needs and never let us down.
Main thing to look for is a strong remove/fitting arm that does not give under heavy load as can damage alloys.
As for balancer we have had a Cemb C31 for many years and has programmes for alloys/stick on weights,not a fancy machine but does all we need.
Be careful of tyre suppliers if you want to stock,as prices can vary a lot as with valves/weights etc.
Good luck
Tony

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by lee mackintosh on January 4, 2008, 9:42 pm, in reply to "Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)"
Lee Mackintosh

we've got the Hoffman Monty 3300 with the assist arm and can't imagine how you'd fit low profile tyres to 19 inch rims with out the arm, ITS A MUST. Very good machine and i think it takes upto 22inch rims.

Our balancer is a john bean balco but couldn't tell you the model number but is still made/sold today but i think only balances upto 20inch rims althugh i've only needed it upto 19 inch so far.

Both machines have been reliale and parts seem easily available.

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by aidan birley on January 5, 2008, 8:04 am, in reply to "Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)"

Sorry wrong thread moved

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by john allen on January 5, 2008, 2:23 pm, in reply to "Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)"

whats the differance between fully and semi auto matic and why are some classed as racing . been looking at the hofmann monty 2300 with the third arm helper fitted. 2590 pounds from AP TECH but only fits upto 22'' internal. do you realy need to go bigger? thanks again
john

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by lee mackintosh on January 6, 2008, 5:44 pm, in reply to "Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)"
Lee Mackintosh

as i said earlier, i've never needed that size but i suppose all garages are different.

Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)

Posted by Tony Gould on January 8, 2008, 10:37 am, in reply to "Re: tyre bay equipment (advice required)"
Tony Gould

John
We looked at full or semi auto a few years back before buying,could not see the benefit in the extra cost.may be differant now or what your used to using,best to see them in action.
As for over 22" cannot not remember doing bigger but then again alloys are getting larger?
Helper arm is a MUST
HTH
Regards Tony

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