COATS RC55A Air Motorcycle Tire Changer, w/ RoBo Arm

The RC55A handles external rim diameters from 6" to 24", internal rim diameters from 10" to 27", rim widths up to 10.5" (267 mm), and a maximum overall tire diameter of 50" (1,270 mm). This range covers the full spectrum of passenger car and light truck tires, including most modern SUV and crossover fitments. It is not rated for commercial truck or bus tires - those applications require a heavy-duty tire changer.

The RC Robo-Arm is a power-assist attachment that holds the upper tire bead in the wheel's drop center during mounting, eliminating the manual effort required to keep the bead seated while the mount/demount tool travels around the rim. It is particularly valuable for low-profile tires (45-series and below) and run-flat tires, which have stiffer sidewalls and resist bead seating. On standard tires, it simply speeds up the process. Because modern vehicles increasingly use low-profile and run-flat fitments, the Robo-Arm is a practical necessity for a contemporary general service shop - not just an optional upgrade.

The RC55A electric model requires a dedicated 115V, 60Hz, 15-amp single-phase circuit. This is a standard North American outlet voltage, which means most shops will not need to upgrade their electrical panel - however, the circuit should be dedicated to the machine rather than shared with other equipment to prevent nuisance tripping. A licensed electrician should verify the supply before the machine is placed in service. An air model variant (part number 85609950) is also available for shops that prefer a pneumatic-drive configuration.

The RC55A has a chassis footprint of 35" wide by 44" deep, with a height of 70". This is notably more compact than many full-size competitors, which often exceed 50" in width and depth. In addition to the machine's footprint itself, allow adequate clearance on all sides for technician movement during mount/demount operations and for the swing arm to rotate freely. A minimum of 36" of clearance on the working side is recommended, though actual layout will depend on your bay configuration.

The RC55A is covered by Coats' RC Series Limited Warranty: 1 year on parts, 6 months on labor and on-site charges, and a 5-year pro-rated transmission warranty (full coverage years 1-3; customer pays 60% of list part price in years 3-4 and 80% in years 4-5). The warranty applies to the original purchaser, is non-transferable, and covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. It does not cover misuse, abuse, neglect, unauthorized modifications, air contamination damage, or wear items such as clamp inserts and bead loosener pads. For warranty service, contact Coats at 1-800-688-9240.

The RC55A ships complete as a ready-to-operate unit including the RC Robo-Arm assembly, Coats Duckhead mount/demount tool, built-in bead sealing jets, a 3.4-gallon bead seating reservoir, integrated inflation gauge (0-60 PSI with pressure limiter), air supply gauge (0-300 PSI), water filter/lubricator, tire bar, and the operator's manual. Optional accessories - including protective clamp covers, bead loosener socks, and nylon mount/demount heads - are available separately and are recommended to protect alloy wheels from scratching.

The RC55A ships via LTL freight to commercial addresses in the 48 contiguous United States at no additional charge. The machine weighs 620 lbs and requires a forklift or loading dock at the delivery location for safe unloading - liftgate service is not included in standard free freight and must be arranged separately if needed. Curbside delivery is standard. Inspect all cartons carefully for freight damage before signing the bill of lading, and note any visible damage on the delivery receipt before the driver departs. Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and international addresses are excluded from free freight.

The primary difference between the RC55A and the RC45 is rim diameter capacity. The RC45 handles external rim diameters up to 21", while the RC55A extends that range to 24" - making the RC55A the better choice for shops that regularly service larger light truck and SUV wheel fitments. Both models share the same compact 35" x 44" chassis footprint, RC Robo-Arm capability, and built-in bead sealing jet system. For shops whose mix is primarily standard passenger car tire sizes up to 21", the RC45 is a cost-effective option; for broader coverage including oversized wheel packages, the RC55A is the recommended choice.

Yes. The RC55A's integrated inflation system includes a pressure limiter on the 60 PSI inflation gauge, which helps prevent over-inflation that can trigger TPMS sensor damage or fault codes. The four-point rim clamping system and the adjustable swing arm allow the technician to position the mount/demount tool away from TPMS sensor locations. Coats also offers compatible protective wheel protectors as optional accessories, which provide additional safeguarding against metal-to-metal contact near sensor mounting positions. Technicians should still reference the vehicle's TPMS sensor placement before beginning the change procedure.

Routine maintenance includes keeping the air filter/lubricator unit clean and filled, inspecting and lubricating the bead loosener pivot and swing arm pivot points, checking the drive belt for wear, and cleaning the turntable and clamp surfaces regularly. The water filter in the air supply line should be drained and inspected frequently - contaminated air is one of the most common causes of pneumatic component failure and is not covered under warranty. Wear items including clamp inserts, bead loosener pads, nylon mount/demount heads, and wheel protectors should be inspected at regular intervals and replaced as needed. Refer to the RC45/RC55 Operation Manual for the complete maintenance schedule.

Yes. The RC55A is available in two drive configurations: an electric model (part number 85609950 01) powered by a 115V, 1 HP electric motor, and an air model (part number 85609950) driven by a 1.5 HP air motor operating at 110-175 PSI. The air model is a good choice for shops with robust air systems that prefer to minimize electrical installations at the tire changer station, or for facilities where 115V outlet placement is inconvenient. Both models share identical rim capacity, footprint, and feature sets. Contact our team to confirm current availability of each configuration.

Yes. Coats operates a national network of authorized service centers and factory-trained technicians across the United States and Canada. Warranty service is handled through this network - contact Coats directly at 1-800-688-9240 to locate the nearest authorized service center. Replacement parts, including an exploded parts diagram, are documented in the RC45/RC55 Parts List PDF available in the Documents section above. Coats has supported its tire changer product lines for over 75 years and maintains parts availability for current production models.