"Essentially, if you're chaning ATV tires, small tractor tires or other small sized tires this is a perfect machine. If you're intending on using it for car, truck, suv and other larger tires it's a cost effective starting point but plan on beefing up the bead breading hardware and having additional tire spoons within reach.
Having a few years of experience using the professional tire changing machines I wasn't quite sure what to expect. This tool is not impressive or disappointing. It will change tires from small garden tractor to full size suv, assuming you’ve got it bolted down well enough and you’ve got the grunt to do it. Overall, the machine is worth the money considering the cost of mounting tires in most shops, including household things like tractors, wagons, hand-trucks, etc. It takes a little technique to feel comfortable with it, and DO NOT assume you won’t need an additional tire spoon (Two may be even better, in addition to the bar that comes with the changer). The welds are all very well done, the steel is good quality, the finish is even (although the paint does rub off quite easily).
The part of the machine that is inadequate for working on car tires is the bead breaker, and does need to be modified/reinforced if it’s going to see mostly car-sized tires. Specifically, the pipe that acts as part of the lever mechanism isn’t strong enough for significant pressure. Mine actually started to fatigue at the pivot pin after the second tire and needed to have some steel welded on to make it sturdy enough to continue. The second is the arm that drops and contacts the tire to make the bead breaking actually happen (looks a bit like a square spoon). This part fatigued and bent as well, and also needed some reinforcement steel to be welded in."
What is your level of technical expertise? Home Handyman
