The content of the article:
- Types of tire fitting equipment
- How to choose the basic equipment for tire fitting
- Choosing auxiliary equipment
- Which manufacturer to give preference to
Tire fitting is one of the most profitable and promising areas of small business, which is facilitated by the minimum start-up investment, short payback period and a consistently high demand for services. Therefore, it is not surprising that more and more people are thinking about opening their own tire workshop.
So, if you are one of them, you will certainly be faced with the question of how to choose the right equipment for tire fitting, the answer to which we tried to reveal in this article.
Types of tire fitting equipment
It is customary to distinguish between three main types of tire fitting equipment:
- The main - this includes compressors, as well as tire changers, balancing and disc-mounted machines;
- Subsidiary - equipment to help carry out basic work. It includes vulcanizers, jacks, side expanders and much more;
- Special - equipment that allows you to get additional profit from related services, such as pumping tires with nitrogen, washing wheels, etc.
It is easy to guess that when opening a tire fitting, first of all, you need to take care of the purchase of basic equipment and only then consider the feasibility of purchasing auxiliary and special equipment.
How to choose basic equipment for tire fitting
As we have already found out, the first step is to purchase equipment of the basic type, so we will study in detail the main criteria for choosing each of them.
Compressor
A compressor is one of the most important attributes of any tire fitting, so its choice should be approached with great responsibility. Otherwise, interruptions in the operation of pneumatic equipment, a lack of power and a drop in the productivity of the tire workshop cannot be avoided.
When choosing a compressor, it is customary to be guided by two parameters - operating pressure and output capacity. In order not to miscalculate, you need to know exactly the level of compressed air consumption and the performance characteristics of the equipment available in the workshop. By simply summing up the indicators, we get the parameters that need to be guided by when choosing a compressor.
There are two types of compressors - screw and piston, where the first, due to its cost, is more suitable for large auto repair shops, while for small workshops it is better to opt for the second type, which has an optimal price / quality ratio.
Tire changer
A tire changer is another type of equipment, without which it is impossible to imagine any tire changer. When choosing it, give preference to those models that have high-quality rotary table devices, since it is thanks to them that reliable fixation of the rim is guaranteed during tire fitting.
It is also better to choose models that have special clamps that can move in different directions relative to the diametrical axis of the table.
It is customary to distinguish between automatic and semi-automatic machine types. Automatic machines are equipped with a folding mounting stand, which makes their use more convenient and saves time. However, these machines take up a lot of space and are expensive.
Semi-automatic devices have less productivity per unit of time, but they have a more humane price tag, take up less space and are easier to maintain.
Balancing machine
The balancing machine must be reliable and convenient, as well as have an electronic ruler and an automatic wheel start / stop function in its arsenal.
In addition, you should pay attention to such parameters as:
- Versatility - allows you to work with wheels of different sizes and weights;
- Power - the more powerful the machine, the higher its productivity;
- Time required to measure imbalance - the smaller it is, the better;
- Parameter input method - there are models with semi-automatic and fully automatic data entry, where the former are noticeably cheaper, and the latter have a higher efficiency.
Disc-sawing machine
Disc spreader - a device designed for straightening rims. There are mechanical, hydraulic and hydromechanical models of disc-cutting machines on the market. Choosing between them, it is better to give preference to the third option, since it is a symbiosis of a mechanical and hydraulic straightening machine and allows you to perform a wider range of repair work.
Choosing auxiliary equipment
Consider the main types and selection criteria for auxiliary equipment:
- Vulcanizer - one of the types of tire fitting equipment used for the repair of wheel tires and tubes of cars and trucks.
There are three types of vulcanizers: portable, desktop and outdoor. Portable vulcanizers are great for smaller garages, while benchtop and floor-standing vulcanizers are preferable for larger workshops.
When choosing a vulcanizer, you should pay attention to the size of the heating plate - the larger it is, the larger the puncture size can be eliminated.
- Trolley jack - when choosing this equipment, it is necessary to build on such parameters as carrying capacity and maximum lifting height.
So, if in the workshop it is planned to service exclusively passenger cars, models designed for a mass of up to 2 tons and having a maximum lifting height of 345 mm are ideal. Otherwise, it is worth looking at devices with more impressive characteristics.
- Bead expander - a special machine used for breeding the tire beads of cars and trucks. There are mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic bead expanders on the market.
When choosing this equipment, it is worth giving preference to models with an adjustable turntable, lamp and air preparation cylinder, as they significantly facilitate and speed up repair work.
Which manufacturer to give preference to
When choosing equipment for a tire workshop, it is better to give preference to well-known German and Italian brands, as their products have a better and longer service and warranty service.
Besides, such equipment is often characterized by a higher performance and level of reliability... True, such equipment is not cheap. But if you are just starting your business, then at first it is quite possible to get by with products of domestic or Chinese production, which offer only the minimum required set of functions. Such equipment will work without problems for at least one and a half to two years, during which it will pay off the funds invested in it several times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth noting that when faced with the need to choose equipment for tire fitting, it is better to turn to specialists who will help you choose the most optimal equipment based on your financial capabilities, workshop area and the approximate flow of customers.
