Abstract:
An improved tire changing apparatus for changing so-called "difficult tires" and/or changing tires at a more rapid rate and/or use in facilities having low pressure or widely fluctuating air pressure sources. The apparatus includes a base having an upwardly extending frame mounted thereon, a tire receiving table mounted on the frame, an elongated rocker arm pivoted at a point intermediate its ends to the frame, upper and lower bead loosening assemblies associated with respective ends of the arm, a rotatable post mounted on the table top, a linkage interconnecting the arm and the post for rotating the post in response to pivotal movement of the arm, a first cylinder connected between the arm and the base for pivoting the arm in one direction and a booster cylinder connected between the arm and the base for pivoting the arm in the one direction in concert with the first cylinder. Also disclosed is a retraction mechanism for an air chuck.