Breaking the Mould in Tyre Machines: A Smarter Bead Breaker

Anybody who has ever used a tyre changer will appreciate the difficulties surrounding breaking the bead using a traditional ‘blade’ or ‘shovel’ type design. This style of bead breaker has been largely unchanged for decades, and that is because, overall, it is a pretty good system. However, it does come with its problems.

The nature of the design, which uses a pneumatic cylinder to operate a piston that brings the blade in and out, is becoming more and more of a compromise as rims get larger, sidewalls get tougher, and rims become more complex in their design. For example, breaking the bead on a BMW rim with a ‘shallow’ well, and fitted with a run-flat tyre, can be tricky. It may take several attempts, and when the bead finally relents, it can go with a bang and sometimes crack the rim. This is because as the air is dumped from the cylinder, the piston rod operating the blade is going to pull all the way in. Recent adaptations to limit the stroke are a solution of sorts, but by no means ideal. 

Now imagine if you could actually control that bead breaker blade to the millimetre, able to stop and start at will with complete control of the action. Well, with the Giuliano DualForce system, you can!

DualForce actually offers up two means of controlling the operation, by foot pedal and thumb control. Unlike traditional foot or hand controls, which are always only limited to one or the other and never both, the controls on DualForce are 2-way. This means that the operator can use the ‘rocker’ mechanism of both controls to toggle in and out, stopping the blade at will. Whilst the operator can choose which method of control they prefer, foot or hand, in reality our experience tells us that tyre technicians tend to use both. In combination, the ability to control the bead breaking process becomes a much easier, faster and safer process.

In a new video, our Italian narrator Mario explains in simple terms how the DualForce system works with visual accompaniment to provide a better perspective. DualForce is standard fitment on our SX228 tyre changer and SX229 tyre changer models, and has fast become a loved feature by technicians using these high-performance tyre changers in tyre shops, garages and main dealers alike. 

Check out our explainer video on DualForce, and find out more information on the Giulano SX228 and 229 Pro tyre machines at our website.