Need a tire balancer and changer

[Pjauto]

We have been open for 3 months or so now and I have been putting off the investment of tire machines in the hopes of subletting to one of the many tire shops that are close by. Come to find out those other shops do not play well with others and they have gone out of their way to do me bad. So, I need to purchase some machines. There seems like endless choices in this area. And I am trying to balance between not spending a ton but not buying crap. Thus far I am looking at the BaseLine 225 Balancer and BaseLine 500 tire changer.

 

http://www.ammcoats.com/baseline-tire-changer-model-bl500

 

http://www.ammcoats.com/baseline-225-wheel-balancer

 

I am not planning on specializing in tires, we are 1/8 a mile away from the large local chain Savannah Tire and it would just be silly to compete with them.

 

Your thoughts? Those two machines together are around 5k. I am not against spending a bit more for better value.

 

Thanks!

[ATLAuto]

Jack, depending on the volume you plan on doing and the quality of equipment you need, do not discount Craigslist or other used equipment wholesalers in the area. If you are not going to be cranking through tires all day, nor doing high end road force balances, you can get some of this equipment really cheaply.

 

If you are looking for new, there are several discussions going already on balancers and tire changers.

 

If I can look at any used equipment in Atlanta for you, shoot me a PM, and I'll check it out before you make the trip.

[ATLAuto]

As a side note, I am looking for a used Road Force balancer myself, so keep an eye out down there.

[Pjauto]

Word. There is some stuff around used. I just hate to get junk stuff.

[AutoFantic]

If you are willing to pay for shipping, this is a good deal on this unit.

 

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tld/4075179435.html

 

I have seen several of his products that he refurbishes... He also has a 30 day warranty.

[nmikmik]

What about subletting to Savannah Tire? (or those are the ones that didn't want to play?)

I don't like the used stuff either, but for the price you are looking to pay for the new one, how many tires you need to do in order to brake even?

Some of the new machines are not much better (and sometimes worst) than a good used one. The only benefit you get is the warranty and it will depend on the supplier on how easy it will be to get service.

[nmikmik]

PJ,

the same guys (that AutoFantic suggested) actually are all over the place and the following combo has free shipping

http://equiptool.com/i-365610-tiger-model-tc-530-tire-changer-twb-1030-wheel-balancer-combo.html

[Mario]

What is your objective with the tire machine, what are you trying to do? Do you want to be a full fledged tire shop?

 

I don't know how similar our situations are, but I am right across the street from a used/new tire shop that has 3 or 4 tire machines in it, and all they do are tires, and they get a very substantial discount on used and new.

 

I wanted a tire machine and wheel balancer just because I was tired of paying them $15 to mount & balance tires for me. I also wanted the balancer to help diagnose/solve driving issues. I picked up a used Accu-turn 5500 from a shop that upgraded for $450. Its a pretty nice balancer and does up to 20" wheels.

 

I was changing tires for about 6 months with a manual machine. It wasn't as bad as it sounds. Another shop upgraded to a new tire machine and had a Coats 20/20 for $100. I've been using that since. It only does up to 17" wheels and nothing low profile, but it works for 95% of the cars we work on which are normally 6year old to 20 year old cars that don't have the 18" alloys on them. I'm always looking to upgrade from the Coats when something is available.

 

I can say my $550 investment has paid off pretty quickly which is tough to say in this business!

Edited September 27, 2013 by Mario

[ATLAuto]

If you are willing to pay for shipping, this is a good deal on this unit.

 

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tld/4075179435.html

 

I have seen several of his products that he refurbishes... He also has a 30 day warranty.

Thanks for this .... Just spoke with them and will likely fly out there in November to look the equipment over. They have a brand new John Bean alignment system too. If you're in LA, we can meet up.

[Pjauto]

PJ,

the same guys (that AutoFantic suggested) actually are all over the place and the following combo has free shipping

http://equiptool.com/i-365610-tiger-model-tc-530-tire-changer-twb-1030-wheel-balancer-combo.html

Thanks for the heads up, I will likely purchase from this company.

[Pjauto]

I think this is the package I am zero'ing in on.

 

http://equiptool.com/i-5053616-ranger-dst-2420-wheel-balancer-ranger-r26at-tire-changer-combo.html

[auto74]

I think this is the package I am zero'ing in on.

 

http://equiptool.com/i-5053616-ranger-dst-2420-wheel-balancer-ranger-r26at-tire-changer-combo.html

Seems attractively priced. Please provide an update when you make your final selection.

 

Our shop has an old coats 2020. It serves its purpose, but more and more we're having to take tires/wheels across the street where a buddy works to get them mounted. He rolls his eyes when he sees me wheeling a tire across the street towards his shop.... The options on the market are a bit bewildering...

[ATSAutomotive]

Pjauto, I have an older model of the Ranger tire machine and balancer. I paid roughly $3000 two years ago and I really can't complain. I do a decent amount of tires but not ALOT. I can provide a service to my customer and make a little bit of money. I just couldn't justify buying a coats tire machine and balancer. This ranger machine has served me well. I have had to fix a few things but hey even my BRAND NEW Robinair A/C machine broke. Name brands can fail just as much. Plus Ranger is made by Bend Pak, still a good company.