Tyre Changer and Wheel Balancer: What a Small Garage Needs
Short answer: to fit tyres in a small garage or at home you need three machines: a tyre changer, a wheel balancer and an air compressor. With us the full kit costs £3,298 delivered: tyre changer £1,799, wheel balancer £749 and 200 litre compressor £750. A trolley jack or a mid rise scissor lift gets the wheels off the car.
The full kit and prices
| Machine | What it does | Price delivered |
|---|---|---|
| Fully Automatic Tyre Changer | Takes the tyre off and fits the new one. Rims up to 26 inch, pedal control. | £1,799 |
| Computerised Wheel Balancer | Balances the wheel after fitting. ±1g accuracy, wheels up to 24 inch and 65kg. | £749 |
| 200L 3HP Air Compressor | Air for the tyre changer, inflating and air tools. 13 CFM at 115 PSI. | £750 |
| 3000kg Low Profile Trolley Jack | Raises the car to take the wheels off if you have no lift. | £139 |
| 2700kg Portable Mid Rise Scissor Lift | Lifts the whole car about one metre, all four wheels free. | £1,450 |
Delivery by our own vans is included for mainland England and Wales, Scotland is £100 extra. You pay on delivery by card, bank transfer or cash.
1. Tyre changer
The fully automatic tyre changer takes rims up to 26 inch. Seven pedals turn the turntable, move the tower and work the clamping jaws, so new staff and home users learn it quickly. Maintenance is simple: check the oil level, keep it clean and lubricate the moving parts at least once a month.
2. Wheel balancer
After a new tyre goes on, the wheel has to be balanced. Unbalanced wheels cause vibration, often felt around 60mph, and uneven tyre wear. Our computerised wheel balancer is accurate to ±1g, takes wheels up to 24 inch and 65kg, checks balance automatically, calibrates itself and comes with a protection hood.
3. Air compressor
A tyre changer runs on compressed air. The 200 litre 3HP compressor delivers 370 litres a minute (13 CFM) at 8 bar (115 PSI), enough for one tyre changer plus inflating and air tools.
4. Getting the wheels off
On a budget, a 3 tonne low profile trolley jack at £139 does the job: raise the car, then always support it on axle stands. If you change tyres every day, a mid rise scissor lift saves a lot of time. It lifts the car about one metre with all four wheels free and the portable 2700kg model starts at £1,450.
Which set-up fits your garage
| Garage | Set-up | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Home or hobby | Tyre changer, wheel balancer, compressor, trolley jack | £3,437 |
| Small tyre shop | Tyre changer, wheel balancer, compressor, 2700kg mid rise scissor lift | £4,748 |
| Workshop that also does repairs | Tyre changer and balancer plus a 2 post lift from £1,700 | from £4,248 plus compressor |
More reading: scissor lift vs 2 post lift and car lift prices in the UK.
Questions and answers
Do I need a wheel balancer if I have a tyre changer?
Yes. Every new tyre changes the balance of the wheel, so it should be balanced before it goes back on the car.
Can I buy the tyre changer and wheel balancer together?
Yes. They are £1,799 and £749, £2,548 together, both delivered and paid on delivery.
What air supply does a tyre changer need?
A steady supply of compressed air. Our 200 litre compressor gives 13 CFM at 115 PSI, enough for one tyre changer plus air tools.
Do you deliver to Scotland?
Yes, for £100 extra. We do not deliver to Ireland, but your courier can collect from our warehouse.
Not sure which lift fits? Call us on 020 8220 9986 or message us on WhatsApp 07811 247454, every day 9am to 9pm. Send your ceiling height, floor and the cars you work on, and we will tell you which lift fits.
