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Solutions Focus: Balancers, Balance Compounds

Tire/Wheel Balancers ‘Smarter’ Than Ever

Not that long ago, tire dealers and customers used to call tire/wheel balancers by a different name: spin balancers. Not any more. There is so much technology built into today’s tire/wheel balancer a better moniker might be: “high-tech measuring system.” Literally, the tire/wheel balancer has been through a technological revolution that would scare the pants off a 1960s mechanic. Better, the improvements are immediately apparent to both the owners of these devices and their customers.

One company says its system is so accurate that it minimizes correction weight usage and attendant costs per weight by 33% or more, while reducing the time it takes to balance most tire/wheel assemblies. This is an attractive package for any dealer.

Along the way, tire/wheel balancer makers have added the ability to determine distance and diameter measurements with very fast read-out times. They also make balancing alloy wheels with hidden stick-on weights a much easier task and can even provide a ‘road test’ while the tire/wheel assembly is still mounted on the balancer. That’s a long way from the old-fashioned static bubble balancer.

From digital multicolor computer displays, to 8- to 20-second balancing cycles (depending on wheel size), to built-in lift systems and the ability to eliminate pull complaints, tire/wheel balancers are modern marvels.

Straight-ahead steering stability for all vehicles is all but assured, as well as routine tire rotations that don’t create problems or comebacks. This is accomplished on the tire/wheel balancer by identifying the difference between individual forces of the front tire and determining the direction in which the vehicle may drift. Until now, steering drift could only be verified through road tests, and solving pull-related problems caused by conicity has often been a trial-and-error operation.

Now that “road tests” can be conducted on a tire/wheel balancer, all lateral force information gathered by the machine is applied to a set of tires, providing the operator with multiple weight placement choices. The tire/wheel assemblies are tagged and positioned on the vehicle to provide the least amount of vehicle pull and obtain the best straight-ahead steering stability.

For as long as we can remember, motorists have asked for good tire wear, straight-ahead tracking, smooth ride and a straight steering wheel. That has largely been delivered over the years, but never so quickly, so accurately and so efficiently as today.

Thanks to technology, we now have adapters for specialized assemblies, the ability to reduce the correction plane interference ratio for a particular tire/wheel assembly and minimum accuracy standards of 0.25 ounces residual imbalance when a satisfactory balance has been indicated.

Is your balancer up to date? You may want to check with the suppliers shown below.

Accu Industries
accu-turn.com
800-551-2228
Allstate’s of America Inc.
allstates.com
800-223-2573
AllTool
alltoolusa.com
888-255-8665
American Tire Distributors
atd-us.com
800-277-8473
Amermac Inc.
amermac.com
800-841-8065
Ascot Supply Corp.
ascotsupply.com
770-251-7330
Automotive Resources Inc.
800-562-3250
Bee Line Co.
beeline-co.com
563-332-4066
Bend-Pak Inc./Ranger Products
bendpak.com
800-253-2363
BL Systems/CEMB USA
877-259-4335
Black Jack Tire Repair
fciautomotive.com
816-662-4465
Branick Industries Inc.
branick.com
701-281-8888
CSK Auto/Proshop
cskproshop.com
602-265-9200
Custom Wheel Service
customwheelservice.com
714-632-6701
Dunlap & Kyle Co. Inc.
800-482-1135
Duret and Landry Inc.
ldletdl.com
514-337-7777
Esco
esco.net
800-352-9852
FCI Marketing Inc.
fciautomotive.com
816-662-4465
Garage Equipment Supply
gesusa.com
800-261-7729
Grey Products Corp.
greyproducts.com
800-826-7106
Hennessy Industries Inc.
ammcoats.com
800-641-5104
Hodge Manufacturing Co. Inc.
800-251-3326
Hofmann USA
hofmann-usa.com
800-251-4500
Hunter Engineering Co.
hunter.com
314-731-3020
Inovex Industries Inc.
ride-on.com
888-374-3366
John Bean Co.
snaponequipment.com
877-482-4866
Kwik-Way Products
kwik-way.com
800-553-5953
McCourt Industries
800-232-2190
Mile-X Equipment Inc.
mile-x.com
800-837-3818
Myers Tire Supply
myerstiresupply.com
800-998-9897
National Pronto Association
prontonet.com
800-477-6686
Parts Plus Inc.
partsplus.com
800-727-8112
Safety Tire Seal Corp.
800-233-8473
Snap-on Equipment
snaponequipment.com
501-450-1500
Snap-on Tools Corp.
snapon.com
262-656-5200
Sun-Tech Innovations/Balance Masters
balancemasters.com
800-786-8324
Technical Automotive Group
tag-equipment.com
877-482-4866
Tesco of America Inc.
tescoofamerica.com
800-377-3329
Tuffy Manufacturing Inc.
tuffymfg.com
800-341-6667
Werther International Inc.
werther.com
888-972-7668
Wesbrooks Inc.
wesbrooksinc.com
800-772-0863
Westesco
323-685-6464
Wheel Power Inc.
wheelpower.com
714-375-9666
Xtire International
tirexusa.com
305-461-2034
Compounds: Alternative Balancers
For commercial customers with balancing issues, there are at least two balancing compound choices: beads or powder-based balancing media.
One such compound choice, consisting of high-density ceramic beads that continuously balance the tire as it is being driven, has been designed for commercial trucks and large RVs. The beads distribute themselves in weight and position, depending on the balance requirements of the individual tire.
The manufacturer says there is no “clumping” of this product. It also adds that each bead has been “shot peened” to eliminate voids and will not break up or grind down like glass or steel.
Installation is also easy, according to the maker. Simply place a bag of beads inside an unmounted tire, or pour beads from an application tube through the valve stem.
Another formula is said to “hydro-dynamically” balance truck tires, thus reducing imbalance and vibrations that cause tire hop and bounce on the road. This product will reduce vibrations, resulting in reduced operating temperatures, which, in turn, should extend tire life, according to the manufacturer.
Another choice is powder media, a dry polymer than can be injected into tires directly through the valve stem. Once inside the tire cavity, granules are forced across the tire width and around the circumference of the tire. According to the manufacturer, this product is more effective and less expensive than lead weights.
The producer says the powder media is free to move inside tire continuously, adapting to changing speeds and cornering forces. The product is also said to act as a vibration dampener, absorbing tire vibration at all points around the tire’s circumference.
It also serves as a force reducer in the footprint area by applying downward force on the tire as it moves through the footprint. Finally, it reportedly performs as a mass balancer, moving into a balanced position within the tire and wheel.
It is reported that powder media does not absorb water because it consists of a plastic polymer granule. Water will not change its composition. Lead weights should not be used when this product is employed inside the tire.
One company says its balancing compound – a pre-measured bag that is simply tossed into a tire – can be reused a second or even a third time.
There are other balancing compounds out there. Check the list on the next page to catch up on the latest.
American Tire Distributors
atd-us.com
800-277-8473
Black Jack Tire Repair
fciautomotive.com
816-662-4465
Centramatic
centramatic.com
800-523-8473
Counteract Balancing Beads
counteractbalancing.com
800-572-8952
Esco
esco.net
800-352-9852
FCI Marketing Inc.
fciautomotive.com
816-662-4465
Hodge Manufacturing Co. Inc.
800-251-3326
Inovex Industries Inc.
rideon.com
888-374-3366
International Marketing Inc.
imiproducts.com
717-264-5819
M&R Products Inc.
magnumbalance.com
800-569-0337
Myers Tire Supply
myerstiresupply.com
800-998-9897
Rema Tip Top/North America
rematiptop.com
800-225-7362
Safety Tire Seal Corp.
800-233-8474
Tech International
techtirerepair.com
800-433-TECH
Tesco of America Inc.
tescoofamerica.com
800-377-3329
Truflex/Pang Rubber Products
800-862-3000
Tuffy Manufacturing Inc.
tuffymfg.com
800-341-6667
Westesco
323-685-6464
Xtire International
tirexusa.com
305-461-2034

Nitrogen Inflation
Vehicle Inspection Systems Inc. (VIS) has introduced a professional-grade, commercial truck tire nitrogen inflation system it calls the VIS-Nitro. According to VIS, the new system allows operators to fill four truck tires at the same time, eliminates the need for handheld pressure gauges and improves inflation accuracy. The VIS-Nitro system automates air purge, nitrogen fill and nitrogen top offs. All the technician needs to do is clip on the four chucks, set the pressure and walk away, says the company. The machine beeps when the work is completed, making the operation completely hands off. Estimated return on investment is 12 months or less, says VIS.
vischeck.net
Balancing Beads
New technology developed by Counteract Balancing Beads Inc. allows balancing of all tires, including often-ignored rear wheels, on an 18-wheeler, says its maker. According to Counteract, its balancing beads installed in all wheel positions on a fleet of 100 18-wheelers running line haul from Missouri to California has resulted in an estimated fuel savings of 5.5% to 9% of fuel per truck. The firm also turns to studies that show a 41% increase in tire life by using its product. Counteract’s balancing beads are installed by dropping a pre-measured package of beads into the tire cavity before mounting the tire. Or, the beads can be injected through the tire valve stem, says the company.
counteractbalancing.com
Refrigerant Identifier
Neutronics, the maker of the new Ultima ID refrigerant identifier, says its tool can prevent contamination of a shop’s costly 134a supply, as well as damage and warranty loss on recovery equipment, lost service profits and even risk of injury. The Ultima ID, says Neutronics, uses infrared refrigerant gas analysis technology and Blend ID software to help identify all EPA S.N.A.P. refrigerants plus R12, R134a, R22, HC and air. According to Neutronics, the high cost of 134a, the lack of federal guidelines and increasing DIY usage has opened the door to variety of refrigerant substitutes, including propane, HC – hydrocarbon and 134a mixtures. These substitutes are not only potentially harmful to a dealer’s shop, but to its staff, as well, says Neutronics.
neutronicsinc.com
Mobile Work Station
The new WS-05 mobile wheel workstation being offered by Tire Service Equipment Co. is designed to be used when changing commercial truck tires. According to TSI, its WS-05 supports the weight of the air wrench with a gas-strut-assisted boom, helping to reduce potential back problems for operators. It also reduces the risk of damage from dropping the air wrench to the ground. TSI reports that the WS-05 has storage room for tire irons, tools and even a 20-ton bottle jack. Once connected to an air supply, the mobile workstation can be moved to the truck to remove the tire and wheel. TSI also says the WS-05 has an air regulator and a high-pressure air line, so tires can be changed using the air wrench. The high-pressure air line can also be used to lift a trailer, operate a jack or inflate a tire.
tsissg.com
Wheel Straightener
McNabb Investments says its Xtreme Wheel repair machine can straighten almost any bend on nearly any part of a steel or alloy wheel. The company says replacement wheel cost is no longer a customer’s only option. Since some wheels are no longer in production, a dealer can still repair the wheel, saving a customer the replacement cost. The result: The customer pays less, and you profit from the repair, says McNabb.
mcnabbinvestments.com
Multiple Nitrogen Inflation
NitroFill has introduced a portable multiple-tire inflation system it says is capable of inflating or deflating up to six tires simultaneously at the touch of a button. According to NitroFill, its new system checks and corrects inflation pressure instantly, with no other gauges or inflators needed. The firm also says its new unit is fully programmable from 3 psi to 145 psi and comes with a microprocessor that ensures accuracy to +/- 0.3 psi. Importantly, the new system is suitable for any nitrogen inflation or conversion. According to NitroFill, it takes 8-10 minutes (depending on tire size) to fill a tire and cuts labor time by up to 90%. The system features adjustable purge cycles to ensure nitrogen purity. The portable unit comes with four 26-foot hoses and a self-locking chuck, along with a back-lit analog screen that includes graphic and audible indicators.
nitrofillnow.com
Crosshairs Wheel
Konig’s newest release for 2006 is the Crosshairs wheel, which combines a double-mesh design with an opal finish. The new wheel is available from 17x7-inch to 20x8-inch, with staggered sizes that include a four-inch machined lip, says Konig.
White Knight
White Knight offers a one-piece storage bin that increases efficiency, shortens assembly time and helps maintain accurate inventories, according to the company. The system bin comes in 12- and 18-inch depths, 33 inches wide and five inches high. Four different colors are available, says White Knight. In addition, the system bin is resistant to water, rust and corrosion, and its double-wall polypropylene construction is guaranteed not to break. The bins are stackable for maximum storage space, says the company.
whtknight.com
http://www.tirereview.com/?type=art&id=5831

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