Automotive equipment world-leader BendPak / Ranger recently announced the release of their newest blockbuster wheel service product, the Ranger RX3040 "Touchless" RimGuard™ Tire Changer, according to the BendPak website blog. Touted as the world's most advanced tire changing machine, the RX3040 was a sleeper hit at AAPEX '09 last November, thanks largely to an informative demonstration video and hands-on demonstration. After a three month period of trial tests in a few select shops, BendPak / Ranger finally made the tire changer available for purchase on Monday, March 1st.

In addition to the features one might expect on high-end industrial tire equipment, such as an integrated wheel lift, pneumatic drop center tool, precision foot-pedal controls and "Quick-Nut" wheel mounting; the Ranger RX3040 features a powerful Turbo-Blast bead seat and inflation system and boasts an impressive collection of uncommon innovations that distinguish it from other wheel service products on the market.

The first noticeable difference on the Ranger RX3040 tire changer is the conspicuous lack of a duckhead or vertical mounting / demounting head. That ever-popular configuration is replaced by a specialized tool head pulling- and mounting-tip that effortlessly manipulates the tire from a horizontal angle, all without touching the wheel. This arm is controlled via the exclusive Target-Lock™ joystick button, which performs precision automatic location tasks for both the tool head pulling-tip and the mounting tip, up to 1/8" from the wheel's edge. Accurate position-sensing data from the robotic upper bead roller generates the exact coordinates for the Target-Lock™ tool head, so underside tool positioning is as easy as pushing a button. A built-in easy view infrared camera located beneath the turntable feeds a bright, eye-level LCD monitor. Operators have full view of underside operations minimizing the risk of wheel contact and simplifying delicate tool-head positioning. The Ranger RX3040 is designed so that not only do operators never have to touch the wheel or tire during changing procedures, they also never have to crouch in order to inspect the position of mounting and demounting tools beneath the wheel. The 44" maximum capacity RX3040 tire changer performs bead breaking duties with a pair of twin bead breaker rollers that clamp symmetrically on the top and the bottom of the tire for controlled penetration, effortlessly loosening even the most awkward or stubborn tire. Throughout the processes, Ranger proprietary RimGuard™ technology protects delicate alloy wheels, handling them with the utmost care.

The RX3040 also includes a power-saving automatic shutdown schedule, which turns off the pump and the motor after 15 seconds of inactivity. This thoughtful, eco-friendly feature is included to save energy, reduce background noise and component wear, ultimately creating a more environmentally responsible workplace.

In his product announcement on Monday, Senior Marketing VP Jeff Kritzer remarked, "We're hoping the RX3040 will do for tire changers what the automatic transmission did for automobiles by setting a new standard for accessibility, ease-of-use and safety."