In the late 1970's and early 1980's, while a young'un, I used the Coats 220 at the shop i worked at all the time. Beautiful machine. It changed my life. Before the 220, I *hated* doing tires; after the 220, I looked forward to it.
That being said, the 220 is overkill for the home mechanic. I have 7 motorcycles (3 dirt, 4 street), and change all of my own tires, both tubed and tubeless. I have the Harbor Freight tire changing machine, and use it only to break beads. Once the bead is broken, i use long Motion Pro tire levers to lever the tire off of the rim. I also used Motion Pro rim protectors to protect the rim from lever marks.
This rig works great for someone who changes fewer than one tire per day. But, I am also cheap, and although I'd love the 220, it doesn't make sense for the average home mechanic. However, if you have the dough, go for it.
If you understand the basics of tire changing (i.e., start at the stem, end at the stem,
and make sure the bead is in the drop section of the rim while levering tires on and off), you don't really need the machine. By practicing without a machine, you're more able to fix your own tires on the road or on the trail.
My $0.02.
That being said, the 220 is overkill for the home mechanic. I have 7 motorcycles (3 dirt, 4 street), and change all of my own tires, both tubed and tubeless. I have the Harbor Freight tire changing machine, and use it only to break beads. Once the bead is broken, i use long Motion Pro tire levers to lever the tire off of the rim. I also used Motion Pro rim protectors to protect the rim from lever marks.
This rig works great for someone who changes fewer than one tire per day. But, I am also cheap, and although I'd love the 220, it doesn't make sense for the average home mechanic. However, if you have the dough, go for it.
If you understand the basics of tire changing (i.e., start at the stem, end at the stem,
and make sure the bead is in the drop section of the rim while levering tires on and off), you don't really need the machine. By practicing without a machine, you're more able to fix your own tires on the road or on the trail.
My $0.02.