A tire changer is a machine that removes and mounts tires on wheels using compressed air and hydraulic fluid. Before the invention of the tire changer, tires were changed by hand, which was a labor-intensive job. The first version of the tire changer was operated entirely by hand, but modern machines have electric hydraulics and compressed air, making the job much easier. Modern tire shops have several tire changing machines designed for special tasks.
A tire changer is a machine used to remove tires and mount tires on wheels. Hydraulically operated, a tire changer uses compressed air and hydraulic fluid to compress a tire, releasing it from its wheel seal. Once the tire bead has been broken off, a tire tool is used to rotate between the tire and the wheel, literally peeling the tire off the wheel. With the old tire off, it’s time to put a new tire on the wheel and use the tool to squeeze the tire onto the outside edge of the wheel and into position. The tire is then inflated, sealing the wheel bead, and the air pressure is checked by observing an air pressure gauge attached to the tire changer.
Before the invention of the tire changer, tires were changed by hand. This was accomplished by loosening the bead of the rim through the process of hammering it down, eventually driving the bead down and out of place on the wheel. With the bead broken, two flat bars of iron were inserted between the tire and the wheel and the tire was slowly worked over the edge of the wheel. This was a very labor intensive job and it could take hours to change a single tire.
The first version of the tire changer was a model that was operated entirely by hand. The basic design was very similar to the tire changer that came later; however, all the actions of the machine were carried out by a person who pulls and pushes the accessories by hand. Instead of having electric motors and compressed air to operate the machine, a mechanic simply slid the attachment into position for him and then used his strength and determination to operate the tire changer.
Many times the mechanic using the above machines would resort to using a hammer out of frustration with not being strong enough to push the tire changer attachment by hand. This technique led to the nickname of a tire change worker being called a tire shredder and the act of changing a tire being known as breaking a tire. The inclusion of electric hydraulics accompanied by the use of compressed air to operate a tire changer made the job much less physical.
The modern tire shop has several tire changing machines designed for special tasks. Machines for steel and aluminum wheels, motorcycle tires, and even huge semi tire changing machines are common. The effectiveness of modern machines makes changing tires a job with minimal effort.
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