Leverless Tyre Changer Technology

The methodology and principles behind tyre fitting and removal of motorcycle, car and light commercial vehicles has been largely unchanged since the advent of the pneumatic tyre. The process of inserting a lever or bar into the inner bead of a tyre, and using that to provide purchase and manipulate the tyre over the rim edge is common to all types of garage equipment manufactured and used for the fitting and removal of rubber tyres.

The Rise of The Leverless Tyre Changer

In recent years, the process has become increasingly automated through the introduction of ‘leverless’ tyre fitting equipment, including tyre changers. Driven largely by the advent of run-flat tyres, whose sidewalls are stiffer and thicker and without the elasticity of traditional sidewalls, leverless technology is becoming a much more common sight throughout retails tyre shops, specialist alloy rim suppliers, and OEM production facilities. As the name suggests, the lever is replaced by an automatic tool, or ‘finger’, which replicates the action, but with a more considered movement and emphasis on reducing the stress to the tyre.The merits of a leverless device for changing tyres can be broken down into several categories:

Movement
The movement of the ‘finger’ is generally made in an arc, specifically to avoid contact with the rim, and therefore eliminate any chance of damage. By hooking the tyre slightly away from the rim edge, the tyre remains free from the rim and provides a clearance during the movement.

Reduction in tyre stress
The finger of a leverless device is powered by pneumatics, which means the finger can be much shorter than a conventional lever or bar. When manual operation is involved, the lever or bar has to be quite long in order to provide sufficient leverage to pull the tyre over the rim. With a leverless device, the finger can be short enough just to catch the bead of the tyre, and the pneumatic cylinder will provide enough force to action the movement of levering it over the rim.

Safety
With the operation being automatic, and strong enough to action the removal of the bead without the need for manual leverage, there is virtually no chance of damage to the rim and tyre, or injury to the operator. When using a manual lever, there is always a risk of the lever slipping and crashing onto the rim under the stress of the tyre. It is also possible for the lever to pierce the sidewall if used incorrectly or by someone who is not experienced.

Speed
The operation of a leverless device is simple, quick and effective. The finger moves in to the bead and ‘well’ of the rim, and out again lifting the tyre bead over the rim edge. Manual operation can vary massively in terms of the nature of the tyre, but a run-flat can take several attempts and still may not succeed.

The Importance of Assist Arms with a Leverless Tyre Machine

A crucial element of using leverless devices is to use what is commonly known as an ‘assit’ or ‘help’ arm. These arms, again powered by pneumatics, can be used to depress the bead of the tyre down into the well of the rim. Because the centre of the rim is always a lesser diameter than the outer edge, this allows the tyre to be removed and fitted without excessively stretching the bead.

Introduced in the early 2000’s, the leverless method has grown in popularity in line with the increasingly difficult nature of modern tyres and large, alloy rims. Today, it is estimated that around 10% of the market is now leverless, although some premium manufacturers are stating as much as 30% of their sales being attributed to leverless today.

To buy from Giuliano Automotive UK, with half a century of knowledge and experience in the garage equipment industry, call us on 01733 920 440.

Pictured: A typical leverless device fitted to a conventional tyre changer. The ‘finger’ can be seen to move under the bead, before the action is reversed and the tyre is lifted safely over the rim edge