Tecalemit’s tyre and wheel servicing range
Garage equipment provider Tecalemit has explained how commercial vehicle workshops can optimise their fleet tyre maintenance regimes by developing their own capability for the handling of tyre removal and fitting routines.
“Integrating the operation into the fleet servicing schedule can improve the operational efficiency of the workshop,” said Tecalemit.
“Whist the tyre servicing operation is often outsourced to a mobile tyre fitter, the process is surrounded by additional administration and time slot availability. When the mobile fitters schedule does not fit in with the operator’s service schedule, it can result in additional time off the road for the truck or trailer.
“The Tecalemit Garage Equipment range of commercial vehicle tyre changing equipment is designed to make the tyre maintenance task both quicker and safer. With a range of five commercial vehicle tyre changers, two wheel balancers and a tyre inflation cage, the tasks performed by the commercial vehicle technician can be undertaken with reduced effort and improved safety.”
The range includes the Jumbo TCS26, a compact tyre changer said to be ideal for the smaller workshop.
“With a capacity capable of handling wheels up to 26” wheel diameter, the Tecalemit TCS26 unit is fully adjustable to carefully handle both steel and light alloy wheels,” said the company.
“The TCS26 features adjustable hydraulic pressure settings that provide full control over the tool trolley, lifting arm and the four jaw bi-directional chuck system. With a wired mobile remote control unit for operator safety, the latest design universal pivoting tool with bead breaker disc, together with quick manual release of the tool arm, allows the technician to operate the TCS26 with safety and ease.”
For CV workshops where space is less of a constraint, the Tecalemit Jumbo TCS 52 features an increased bead breaking force of 3.7 tonnes, a wheel clamping capacity that can accommodate a wheel size up to 40”, with 60” achievable with extension accessories. A double speed rotation chuck allows the technician to make further adjustments to ensure a safe operation on a variety of wheel sizes.
The Tecalemit Jumbo TCS 26 & TCS 52 feature a new design bead breaker with a revised surface profile that provides greater care of the tyre bead whilst providing faster tyre extraction and replacement.
For workshops that also cater for off-highway vehicles, the Tecalemit Jumbo TCS 56 and TCS 60 provide further increased wheel size capacity.
Once the tyre is fitted to the rim, some thought needs to be given to inflation safety, says Tecalemit, warning that a burst tyre can cause significant operator injury.
“The Tecalemit tyre inflation cage provides an effective solution. It can accommodate all types of commercial vehicle wheels, but can also be used for car and light commercial van tyres. The tyre inflation cage features a special type of perforated mesh enclosing structure which minimises the shock wave which might be generated due to tyre burst situation.
“Operator safety can be further improved with the optional electronic inflating system. This enables the operator to deploy a standalone inflation process. The required inflation pressure is set, enabling the pressure gauge to control the operation unassisted, leaving the operator free to carry out other tasks.
“The tyre inflation cage can also be equipped with a blast inflating system to assist the fitting of tubeless tyres. The side opening of the inflation cage allows this operation to be carried out easily inside the inflation cage, with no reduction to operator safety.”
With the tyre successfully fitted to the rim, the final wheel balancing operation can be completed.
“The Tecalemit SBM 855/V955 Universal Wheel Balancer is an electronic unit designed to operate on truck, bus, car and motorcycle wheels. It is supplied with a range of truck, van and car adaptors. The unit features a double rotation speed together with a range of fifteen programs to accommodate both steel and alloy wheels with balancing modes for truck, van and car.
“The menu-guided function keys for data entry and program set-up enable the operator to select from four dedicated truck modes and nine car modes. A pneumatic lifting mechanism allows easy clamping of heavy wheels up to 160 kg.
“The operator can use the digital display to select a split weight program and static unbalance optimisation program before commencing the automatic measurement cycle.”
Tecalemit also offers a range of specialist CV wheel alignment equipment to help ensure optimal tyre service life.
