Abstract: An automated tire mounting and inflation system is shown which includes a tire mounting station for seating an uninflated tire on a wheel rim with the tire upper and lower beads between the rim flanges. A conveyor moves the uninflated tire from the mounting station to an inflation station. An inflation bell is lowered at the inflation station to contact the tire upper sidewall and form an airtight enclosure whereby air can be supplied to the interior of the bell, air pressure passing between the tire bead and wheel flange around the entire perimeter of the rim to inflate the tire. The conveyor then moves the inflated tire from the inflation station to a staging area.

Abstract: A Tire Changing Stand is shown having a base which includes a wheel rim supporting surface which is arranged in a plane generally parallel to the ground. A dome-shaped enclosure slopes evenly away from the wheel rim supporting surface toward the ground to define an open interior. A hydraulic power unit and hydraulic motor are contained within the open interior of the base. The hydraulic motor has an output shaft which terminates in a coupling for a tool driving extension. The output shaft is arranged in the base interior generally perpendicular to the plane of the rim supporting surface. The length of the shaft is selected so that the coupling does not extend above the plane of the rim supporting surface.