987part

I have a brand new artiglio 50 from last year and corghi balancer. I saved a tons on cash.

We have 3x race car and a small dealership, so it makes some sense...even at 25k

DCP

Buying your own manual mounting machine does not necessarily mean that you are free from wheel damage. I co-own a cheaper Chinese made mounter and balancer. There is a learning curve. I don't do it frequently enough to be good at it. Happily, I am just mounting on race wheel so a scratch doesn't matter.

cstreit

As was stated - even the most basic tire machine can do this without ever touching the wheel. It just requires the operator to give a damn.... I've mounted some pretty gnarly tire/wheel combos using basic machines without damage. It requires some time and effort, but if you do enough tires in a year, it can break even in 2-3 years.

rbahr

Bought a used Hunter 3500 after local shops were either trashing the rim or charging $50 a tire. Works great. Need a balancer now (and the room to put it somewhere)

Ray

FrenchToast

It uses a ratcheted column with a flange to the wheel down via the centerbore. Also pneumatic, I think.

Just an FYI, you should never be near / in the path of said column as it compresses against the wheel. It is not unheard of for them to crack. Then it goes flying out/up.

Many of the new ones are computerized now, but they still are not easy to use. A lot of forces are used to mount a tire and you need to be mindful of that. Don't stick your head / limbs where they shouldn't be.

Track tires, with their stiff sidewalls, can be a PITA to mount. Definitely a learning curve with these machines, whether they be touchless or not.

rbahr

I agree with FrenchToast - I went with a machine that a race shop I know uses, AND I got lessons...

Ray

911racer

We have Hunter by Bendpac. On the low end of the scale, you get what you pay for. The machine needs enough power to mount them, which is what less expensive mounting machines have.

Still a PIA to mount your own and it will take you an hour to change one set if you do it 5 times a year. If you can figure something else out it is better.

Thanks

Ed

stujelly

Been there done that. Was a hunter system.

Way easier to have a good tire vendor.

Viperbob1

Our shop has a Corghi Artiglio Master. It works like a electronic game with joy sticks and NOTHING touches the rim. As Jason said, see if there is a shop you dont know about with one of these. Of course new it is almost $30K. In 7 years know how many wheels we have damaged... ZERO!!!!!!!

nxfedlt1

thank you all for the help! The artiglio master is a pretty amazing machine! the artiglio 500 looks to be the way im going.

Gofishracing

OMG- now you got me started. DREAM on BOB

Mussl Kar

I have a Hunter ebay machine, under 900 clams. If I have 4 wheels with hoosiers on them at the machine then 25 min they will be replaced or turned over on the wheels. TC 3200 i think, but really wanted a 3500.
Has worked for me these past 5 years but am looking to buy a touch less type. Going to a shop I trust is 90 min each way and need to drop off and come back, so a machine of my own makes sense. My tires and wifes competition tires.

Mussl Kar

Me likey.