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New Hunter Equipment (Revolution, Road Force and Hawkeye Alignment)


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Hello,

 

I recently had the Hunter folks in to give me a demo on the Revolution Tire Machine, Road Force Balancer, and the HawkEye Alignment Machine).

 

We are a five bay three man shop.

 

We have a Hunter Alignment Machine that works but it is an older unit. We have two old coats machines for tires and balancing.

 

I would love to replace all of this with the newest equipment but as all of you know the cost is very high.

 

I was wondering if anyone is willing to share their experience with making a large purchase like this as a package deal. Also, did you finance it, do a lease program or buy it with cash? Was it worth it? Are you happy with the equipment? In hindsight would you be willing to try another less expensive brand (i.e. Coats Leverless Tire Machine or Atlas Cyclops Alignment)?

 

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

 

DG

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Thanks for the responses.

 

I feel like the update to the alignment machine is a no brainer.

 

If it isn't too much to ask...are you going to finance, lease or pay cash?

 

Thanks again.

 

DG

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I committed to buy the Hawkeye System (no rack) this week. $25k with trade. I could have had the John Bean for half that. I purchased Hunter because it is faster and because service is available usually same day. John Bean service is very sketchy for our area.

 

 

I'd really love to have the new hawkeye sys with rack and in ground but I can't justify the costs at this time. One can still dream though lol

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  • 4 weeks later...

We have a hawk eye elite and we absolutely love it for about 3 years now. Road force balancer is also awesome and we have it over 3.5 years but as far as the tire machine I don't think its worth the money they are asking. Especially looking at it and seeing how many things can go wrong. When I was researching a tire machine I settled on a corghi 500. It's a great machine, simple enough to operate and repair if needed. Had it for 6 month now and no complains at all. It does everything we throw at it with ease.

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Thanks for the replies.

 

I decided to go ahead with all 3 pieces of equipment. I am still in negotiations with the sale rep. We have a 5 bay shop and wish to have the alignment rack moved from the 3rd bay to the 1st bay because it is much deeper and the rack in the 1st bay moved to the 3rd bay.

 

As long as they will deal with that with the prices quotes I received, I will move forward.

 

The Hunter rack specialist stopped by and recommended I replace the cables during the moves. This will cost approximately, $1,000. I feel this is probable a good idea given the rack is 6 years old.

 

I will post pictures when it is complete. I hope to have it all done before the first of the year.

 

Sincerely,

DG

 

 

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      I recently spoke with a friend of mine who owns a large general repair shop in the Midwest. His father founded the business in 1975. He was telling me that although he’s busy, he’s also very frustrated. When I probed him more about his frustrations, he said that it’s hard to find qualified technicians. My friend employs four technicians and is looking to hire two more. I then asked him, “How long does a technician last working for you.” He looked puzzled and replied, “I never really thought about that, but I can tell that except for one tech, most technicians don’t last working for me longer than a few years.”
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