Ditch the lever: Innovation on tyre changers

NOT ALL LEVERLESS TYRE CHANGERS ARE THE SAME. WE EXPLORE CORGHI’S ARTIGLIO MASTER 28 TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL AND IMPOSSIBLE TO IMITATE

In line with Corghi’s ethos and long history of innovation, product enhancement, and devising ways of bettering existing processes, in 2001, the Italian-born, world leader in the vehicle assistance equipment sector introduced ‘Leva la leva’. Italian for ‘without lever’, the concept was a game-changer for tyre changers and allowed these machines to get rid of the need for levers in order to eliminate contact with the rim and risk damage to tyres.

Using a combination of hydraulic power, pneumatics, and specialised mounting heads (among other innovations), these machines gently grasp the tyre and rim, applying equal pressure around the circumference to loosen and remove the tyre without exerting force on the sidewalls.

The almost robotic process has been perfected to the point that it requires minimal operator contact with the wheel and significantly speeds up the process while also improving operator safety.

Although many manufacturers immediately tried to imitate the technology, Corghi’s core mission of continuous innovation in products and technologies ensured that their offerings kept evolving, improving, and hence ensuring that imitators were always a few steps behind.

This ‘Smart Corghi System’ is now considered the only existing technology on the market that allows you to never touch the rim during any of the work phases and cancels any tension on the tyre during the demounting/mounting phases.

This technology is at the heart of the new Artiglio Master 28 and it is the perfect synthesis of the experiences gained over the past 22 years.

In a single tyre changer, tyre shops will find all of Corghi’s manufacturing and design experience, in a product that operates perfectly on every type of wheel, for an unrivalled technical and economic investment over time.

The Artiglio Master 28 includes:

• Consoles: Ergonomic and multifunctional consoles with a display that makes it possible to electronically set the rim diameter and automatically obtain the positioning of work tools in a quick, practical, and safe manner

• Dynamic bead breaking device with dual specular bead breaker disc — the radial positioning of the discs is made easier by an automatism that is able to prevent any manual positioning by the operator. This guarantees precision, rapidity, and repeatability by the patented bead breaking system and by the perfectly synchronised and symmetrical motions of the two discs

• Clamping: Automatic wheel clamping

• Bead depressor with adjustable working height, This depressor shape is ideal for RFT tyres

• Ergonomics: Fixed work position, pedals, consoles, and wheel loading are all on the same side allowing for constant working height and less operator movement

• Wheel lifter: In order to achieve effortless wheel placement onto the centre mount turntable.

Today, leverless tyre changers have become a staple in many tyre shops and automotive service centres worldwide. They have significantly reduced the time and effort required for tyre changing, ensuring a safer and more efficient process. However, no one has been able to copy the patented Smart Touchless Corghi system and this is the difference between Corghi and all the others.

For more information on the Corghi Artiglio Master 28 or Automaster’s wide range of products, see automaster.co.nz, or call 0800 214 604.