With almost no human assistance, the Hunter Revolution tire changer takes the tire off the rim. Hoffmann Automobile AG has been relying on their services for more than three years and does not regret the investment.
Michael Hoffmann, a member of the management board at Hoffmann Automobile AG, describes tire assembly as a “back-breaking job”. At the location in Aesch BL, around 7500 sets of tires will probably be changed again in view of the summer. Two employees carry out this job full-time. They are assisted by Hunter Engineering’s Revolution tire changer. The promise of the American workshop outfitter: No delays in tire fitting. Each tire is changed at the same time. The machine presses the tire down and its three arms heave the beads over the rim flange. Apart from the one-time adjustment of the bead breaker roller to the rim size and the seat of the valve using the joystick, no further parameters have to be set.
Even if you save time with the Hunter Revolution, it is not primarily a question of whether the human or the “Hunter Revolution” mounts the set of tires faster. “The tire is becoming tougher, bigger and more expensive. The machine power reduces damage to tires and rims,” explains Claudio Schilling, sales consultant at KSU A-Technik AG. KSU A-Technik AG is the general agent for Hunter Engineering in Switzerland and sells the “Revolution”. The high level of automation prevents errors that lead to damage to the rims, tires or tire pressure sensors. This property is also important when you consider that most drivers use the same rims in both summer and winter. The dismantling takes place without a mounting lever.
Michael Hoffmann confirms the advantages and concedes a time saving, especially with large rims. However, the achieved process reliability is also important. “Our apprentices can also assemble complex tire and rim combinations with the Hunter Revolution,” he says. After two or three assembled sets you get the hang of it. Each work step is displayed on the touchscreen and is controlled by the so-called “Go” pedal. “The simple operation makes the work easier.”
The fourth generation of the Hunter Revolution is in use at Hoffmann Automobile AG. The acquisition costs were worth it. Hoffmann explains: “If tires or rims are damaged, the customer would be upset because his vehicle is in the garage longer than necessary. It can’t stand this sideshow.” The focus on customer satisfaction was a driver, which is why the Hunter Revolution was purchased in autumn 2017. The constant effort to keep customers satisfied led to Hoffmann Automobile AG being named “Customer First Dealer of the Year 2020” by Volkswagen Switzerland. “Only satisfied customers remain loyal to us,” says Michael Hoffmann, not entirely without pride.
The innovative strength of the AGVS garage was another driver that led to the purchase of the fully automated tire changer. “The innovation from Hunter Engineering and the many years of experience of KSU A-Technik AG focus on efficiency and making work easier,” emphasizes Claudio Schilling and adds: “Today, total solutions from the product to the service are the be-all and end-all sustainable solution and a satisfied customer”. Claudio Schilling assumes that in the future even more garages and tire houses will rely on solutions from Hunter Engineering. “The driver of an electric car wants extreme smoothness. The tire must be optimally balanced so that no vibrations can be felt,” he explains. The precise way the Hunter Revolution works prevents unnecessary rolling noise.