Tire Changer

[SJL]

Just picked up a Big 4 tire changer like the one in these pictures. Does anyone have any diagrams or pictures of where all of the air lines go? It appears to be complete, but the air lines have
disintegrated. Does anyone have any experience operating one of these? Thanks!

 

[Bret4207]

I looked online and couldn't find anything. Are those the plastic type lines with the compression fitting ends? If so, I'd get some line and sacrificial fittings and start experimenting.

 

[sotxbill]

Lines run from cyl to pedal valves.. from pedal valves back to common point with or with out a filter to a air supply.... looks like a vacant air fitting on bottom of the square box thing that probably contains a filter/water separator. Probably no oiler on this unit as it has no air motor, only a two way bead breaker??

If it does have a motor for the center shaft, it will have an oiler reservoir in the box thingy.

Dont see an "inflation bead assist" on it, so no storage tank for excess air.

 

[bc]

I would think there would be a fitting for an air hose for airing up tires.

 

[redbeatsgreen]

I have operated a tire machine almost identical to this one. I am not good at typing on my phone but I will try. The round thing on top should spin off allowing the tire and wheel to be placed on the machine then the round thing spins back down to hold the wheel in place. Then the upper arm can be pulled over to engage the upper tire bead. One of the foot pedal's can then be pressed to activate the air cylinder pulling the upper bead breaker down and the lower bead breaker up releasing the tire from the rim. There should be two more tools with it. One to spin the beads off and another to spin the tire back on after repair. These tools are spun around the center part by hand by walking around the machine. They should be about 3' long. Good machine in it's day. Sorry for typing errors

 

[SJL]

Here's my actual machine. The center post spins by air alternating between the diaphragms on either side. I have the tool that goes over the center post. The bead breaker part of it is pretty straightforward. It's the circuitry of the valve in the last picture that I need the help with. I suppose I could fasten the machine down and walk around the tire with the lever rather than trying to get the air motor going. Anything is better than beating on tires and using a pair of tire irons.

 

[Mule Meat]

Have a similar machine in the shop. It is not used a lot these days. But works good when needed. Thing is, they will only do 16.5 or smaller tires.
Right peddle controls the air to the center post (flat end that rotates and the two bead breakers (top and bottom). Half peddle spins the post. Full peddle breaks the bead.

Left peddle controls bead seating and inflation.

Looks as if you may have a couple of parts missing. If you do not have the spoon the machine is useless. Also those machines will destroy aluminum wheels. Especially if you try working with anything larger than a 16". The bottom bead breaker will fit them.

 

[marloweg]

will not do 17 and up tires the bottom bead breaker will dig in to the rim i have used a tool to hold it back but is not the best way will scratch the rim your might be set up different just a heads up

 

[Mule Meat]

The spoon you need.
I will try to get a video of the machine working when business slows down some. Can't beat the machine for working on smaller low profile tractor tires like on Kubota B series tractors.

 

[SJL]

I have the spoon that fits over the center post. The pictures in the original post are not my machine; those pictures are further down the post. I understand how they are supposed to work, but am looking for diagrams of the air circuitry for the valve and two diaphragms that turn the center post.

 

[8850dave]

I’ve got the same unit , used it mostly to break beads but today I tried it and the foot valve air just leaks after input hose is connected it’s just a flat valve body that appears a throwaway

 

[JOCCO]

I have on very similar to that. It has a red and black button one is for center post turn the other for bead braker.

 

[Brownie450]

Ours is a Coats manual operated unit. It has a foot operated
pedal to break beads. I don't see one on yours. Ours has
a pointed spring loaded pin about 3/4" which goes in a bolt
hole on the rim to hold it from turning while taking the bead
off the rim. Should say the foot pedal operates the air to the
breaking cylinder.
Jim

 

[JOCCO]

I have the spoon that fits over the center post. The pictures in the original post are not my machine; those pictures are further down the post. I understand how they are supposed to work, but am looking for diagrams of the air circuitry for the valve and two diaphragms that turn the center post.

I took a very quick look at mine air fitting on bottom. Line goes up to switches/buttons. It's like a manifold. Then out to the air cans and one to the breakdown cylinder.