A tyre changer uses little air, around 150 l/min as a guide, but it needs about 8 bar at its inlet. The compressor must therefore deliver at least 9 bar, and it is pressure, more than flow, that rules out small models. For a full tyre station run by one person, a piston compressor such as the E 75 in its 12.5 bar version covers the need comfortably.
The tyre station is basic equipment in a tyre centre as well as in a garage. This article focuses on that station alone: tyre changer, wheel balancer, inflator and impact wrench.
What each machine uses
| Machine | Typical consumption | Pressure | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyre changer | 150 l/min | 8 bar | in bursts: bead breaking, fitting |
| Wheel balancer | very low | see manual | wheel clamping, if the machine has it |
| Car tyre inflator | 100 l/min | 6.3 bar | in bursts |
| 1/2" impact wrench | 300 l/min | 6.3 bar | removing and refitting the wheel |
A wheel balancer is first of all an electric machine. Many use no air at all. Those with pneumatic wheel clamping use very little: the manual gives the pressure to supply.
The tyre station calculation
One person works at the station and uses only one machine at a time.
- Hungriest tool: the impact wrench, 300 l/min.
- Used in bursts, with the receiver covering the peaks: counted at 50%, so 150 l/min.
- 25% margin: 150 × 1.25 = about 190 l/min.
- Highest pressure: the tyre changer, 8 bar, plus about 1 bar of losses, so 9 bar.
The flow is modest. The pressure is not: a compressor that tops out at 8 bar leaves no margin, and the tyre changer loses force at bead breaking, just when it needs it most.
Bead seating is a matter of reserve
To seat a bead, you have to send a large volume of air into the tyre in one go. Many tyre changers have a built-in bead seater that draws on the network or on a small tank. Either way, the compressor receiver refills it.
Example with the E 75 in the 12.5 bar version and its 180 L receiver, set to restart at around 9 bar:
- Reserve between 12.5 and 9 bar: 180 × 3.5 = 630 litres of air.
- That reserve covers several car tyre bead seatings in a row, without waiting for the motor.
For large tyres, the calculation changes scale: see our article on tractor tyre inflation and bead seating.
Which compressor to choose?
Tyre station on its own, one person: the E 75. 7.5 kW piston compressor, 0.9 m³/min, 180 L receiver, to take in the 12.5 bar version. It far exceeds the 190 l/min of the station and its pressure leaves a real margin. It suits the burst use of a tyre station.
Small garage, a few tyre jobs a week: the E 40, to be confirmed. 4 kW piston compressor on a 100 L receiver. Its maximum pressure is not published yet: check it with us against your tyre changer's pressure before ordering.
The tyre station joins a workshop that runs all day: the K 75 in the 10 bar version. 4-in-1 screw compressor, 0.95 m³/min at 10 bar, 420 L receiver, dryer and filtration built in. Avoid the 8 bar version if a tyre changer is connected to it.
An existing 8 bar compressor, such as the S 55, is not enough to add a tyre changer. In that case, redo the calculation in the configurator with the tyre changer added to your tools.
Tyre station pitfalls
The tyre changer's air treatment unit. Most tyre changers have their own filter, regulator and lubricator. Set the regulator to the pressure in the manual, keep the lubricator topped up with the specified oil and empty the filter bowl.
Water in the cylinders. Condensate wears the bead breaker and turntable cylinders and rusts rims during inflation. Drain the receiver every day or fit an automatic condensate drain.
Bead seating pressure. The compressor can deliver far more than the maximum bead seating pressure allowed by the tyre manufacturer. Respect it, and stay out of line with the wheel during the operation.
A hose that is too long. A tyre changer at the end of a long, narrow hose loses the pressure it needs. Bring the outlet closer to the station, with a connection hose of adequate bore.
Send your tyre changer's data sheet with a quote request: we will check pressure and flow with you.
For your trade: Compressor for tyre centres.