tire changing machines

[L.I.GTO]

Good Evening,
I posted earlier. Does anyone know of a better or specific tire changing machine that will not leave any trace of the tire being removed and then remounted on the rim ? I am referring to index marks or scratches on the back of the rim from the actual machine being used. It just seems to me that everytime you need to remove a tire from a rim ,without the proper machine, you are damaging the rims. The last time I had flat repaired, you could tell exactly where the tools met the rim.

[JoeyElbows]

some machines that i saw they have these plastic covers that go over the feet that grap the rim and theres one for the tool that removes the tire. ask the shop if they have them for there machines. I'll try and find pics of what i'm talkin about.

[Black Devil]

More modern machines can do that. The machine at my shop can grab the bead of the wheels after the tire itself is broken down. The nachine has plastic plates that are replacable if they wear out. I've had my tires off may times. No marks from the machine yet.

[jed.only]

you need a mag-machine. Hunter makes a good one. most respectable tire shops own a few center-posts (no bueno) and a mag machine.


looks like this:

http://www.hunter.com/pub/product/tirechanger/3814 T/images/A3814T01.jpg

[JMannGoat]

+1 on the mag machine... except for the bead breaker with the two clamping wheels. Those things are useless in my opinion. I've always liked rim clamp machines though. The clamps usually can either clamp the inside of the wheel (bad) or the outside bead area (good). I've never had a problem when I use the outside rim clamp. The rim will never move or slip off the machine. I've never had any of my techs wreck a wheel since I asked them to always clamp them from the bead area.

[jed.only]

Coats also makes a damn good mag machine.