Loren Bill at Treadway Equipped advises, supplies and services workshop equipment to automotive business across New Zealand, with a strong focus on recommending the right equipment for their customers to get maximum return.
Whether you plan to have a simple tyre bay or a full multi bay flow through rapid changer set, you will need to plan effectively to get the most out of your space and make sure the set up is as efficient as possible.

Layout
If possible, it is great to have a separate entrance and exit so vehicles can flow through easily.  This prevents having to manoeuvre vehicles around in a building and reversing out.  
Another option is using a multi bay drive-in format which is most common in New Zealand, this is where you may have multiple bays side by side like carparks and the machines and tools arranged around each bay.

Equipment
The equipment you will need for a basic tyre bay are a tyre changer, wheel balancer, a compressor as well as a set of trolley jacks, axle stands, impact wrench and torque wrench.
When choosing your equipment, it is important to look at your tyre volume or expected volume and choose gear that is fit for that usage. For example, if you are a Workshop that may do two to four sets of tyres a day, we would recommend the Steiner ST260 tyre changer and the Steiner ST420 wheel balancer.  However, if you are planning to have your tyre bay doing six sets plus a day we would recommend the Fasep range of equipment which it 100 percent Italian.  

Efficiency tips:
Consider putting in a mid-height belly to lift up vehicles rather than jacks, this is a lot quicker and certainly a lot safer, check out the Steiner LT280S for this job.
Take special consideration to where you put your air lines, Treadway Equipped recommends having your reels as close to the job as possible to reduce the chance of staff tripping over hoses on the ground.  The John Guest Quick Fit Nylon Hosing range is an excellent product for running your air lines from your compressor and we recommend having your reels either higher up on a pillar beside your tyre bay or on the rafter above the bay so it’s easily accessible right where you need it without any trip risk.
Look at using powerful battery powered impact wrenches rather than pneumatic, it helps keep your tyre bay tidier and reduces trip hazards.

Treadway Equipped can provide layout and planning consultations and recommendations.  We offer a complete range of equipment for every size workshop and have excellent leasing and financing options available to help match your investment to your increased revenue from your new tyre bay.
www.treadwayequipped.co.nz | 0800 436 436