HF Mini Tire Changer

Every time I use this think it's hard to believe I put off getting one for so long. I'd always before used tire spoons, screwdrivers and hammers but age, arthritis and bad back forced the issue. Item #61179 , the changer retails for $39.99 but 20% coupons are always available bringing it down to $31.99. The changer works fine right out of the box provided it is solidly mounted. The machine well constructed and so far has worked well on 8 and 12 inch tires ranging from 4.80-8 to 23X8.50-12 so far. I have a set of 23X10.50-12 six ply ag tires to mount later in the week so we'll see how well it handles them. The only modification made was to the mounting bar to improve tracking on the rim and minimize paint damage. The area in the photo was ground out with an angle grinder and polished with a Dremel tool. For ease of use and cost I give it 4.5 stars because nothing is perfect!

Thanks Major.

Wonder if you could find a piece of nylon to glue in that slot as a buffer to the paint? Wasn't my idea, my tire changer has replaceable tips on it already.

considering i not that long ago paid $20 to have 2, 12 inch tires put on empty rims it would pay for itself.
but in the back of my mind ""solidly mounted"" would mean put into the reciver hitch on back of the wifes chevy suburban.
so i would have a mobile tire changer, and a not so happy wife.

Thanks for the review....guess the bead breaker does the job too....usually that is the hardest job for me.....

I have both and they have paid for the selfs time after time. Not as nice as a tire machine that runs on air, but for the $ there great!! I use the small one for 6&8" tires and the big one for 12" tires. I have removed about 12 automotive tires with the big one and it was 10 times better then just using bars. Dish soap on the beads helps a lot! Hardest tire to install was the 16-16.5 x 8 tri ribs from Miller tire. Took 3 try's on the first one, side walls are so thick and stiff I was bending the rim to get them on! 2nd one went on without a issue.

As a followup I tried to use the HF changer for the new Deestone 23X10.50-12 tires for the 416-8 and it just wouldn't work. The 6 ply tire was so wide and stiff that it was impossible to get the mounting bar into place on the 8-1/2" rim. A 2 ply tire might have been doable but not these.

6 plys are awfully tough.

I have the Mini and this one use them often and the 6 plys are no problem.