Built Right, Built Tough Tire/Wheel Balancers
There is so much ease of use built into today’s balancers that nearly anyone can balance a set of tires and wheels, regardless of size and degree of difficulty. Watch your productivity climb as even novice techs quickly become tire/wheel balancing experts.
You’ll find such features as large graphic LCD displays that produce easy-to-read data input that guides the user through calibration, diagnostics and setup with screen-prompted instruction. This type of communication between operator and machine with simple color graphics helps ensure that operators can easily access features required to balance modern alloy wheels.
On this type of machine, the operator is handed complete control along with the fastest possible balancing service. The wheel can be rotated in either direction with variable speed and torque. Further, clip-on and tape weight locations are automatically positioned for application while the balancer quickly moves the wheel to the next weight position.
On top of the line equipment, you can also expect to see such things as a loaded roller contact to measure run out ridding tire/wheel assemblies and related vibration. The loaded roller contact measures run out across the footprint of the tire’s surface by measuring the entire footprint of the tire to determine if a tire/wheel assembly is out of round.
This kind of technology takes into consideration the contribution of tire sidewalls in vibration issues. You can also purchase a tire balancer that offers the benefit of reducing wheel weight costs by 30% to 40%. This type of machine also significantly reduces labor costs, service time and the amount of balancer use as it eliminates service bay shortcuts that affect quality.
Other machines come with real time 3-D animated graphics and visual cues that promote proper balancing techniques and faster floor-to-floor time. You will even find a printer on some machines so techs can share information with customers.
So good is this type of technology that at least one wheel balancer comes with a touchless digital collection system that takes the measurements for the tech. This type of machine also comes with a tape-a-weight locator for virtually every wheel design, even the most complicated.
In fact, every step of technician activity has been carefully thought through and researched for speed and accuracy. Look for complete onboard training devices on this type of machine.
Even lower priced, high-volume workhorse type balancers come with a long list of features such as eight balancing modes, four different alloy modes and match/mount capability. You’ll also find a convenient keypad unit on this type of machine along with an activated “hood start” that saves time.
Many Storage Options With Today’s Rack Systems
If you can’t find a tire rack that best suits your purpose, something is wrong. From a motorized rotary storage rack to a roll-around tubular steel rack that holds a smaller number of tires, and everything in between, they’re out there.
However you store your tires – flat, on tread or laced – there is a solution that won’t break your budget. One tire rack comes with a perforated deck that meets fire codes easily by allowing leaks or water from overhead sprinklers to pass through the deck to the stacking tire racks below. The ratio of holes to solid deck gives good support to the tire and will not leave marks in the portable rack.
Another style of stacking rack uses wire mesh decking. This decking is less expensive than perforated metal decking and has larger openings in the deck. This is a good option if there is no concern about the wire deck leaving marks on tires. Of course the least expensive portable stack rack has no decking at all. The inner and outer rack beams are located so they support the tires. This works best if you don’t have people standing on the rack as they load or unload tires, since the rack beams do not provide as secure a work surface as a deck does.
A motorized tire carousel storage rack allows one person to rotate the carrier frames, locate the desired set of tires, stop at the proper position and remove the product safely and efficiently at ground level. All of this happens with the touch of a button. This is a good way to reduce injuries and risk by letting the machine do the lifting.
On the less expensive side, you can order a tire rack that is built with 14 gauge components that require no clips, fasteners or tools. Just snap the pieces together and lock in place, says the manufacturer. This unit allows stored tires to be accessed from both sides. All components are treated with a rust inhibiting base coat and a baked-on enamel finish.
Here’s some more good advice. Some tire rack makers advise against horizontal storage, others against vertical storage. Actually, both types of racks work well. A tire with absolutely no load on it won’t flat spot when stored vertically, nor will it cause any damage in its aired-down state when stored horizontally.
