LAS VEGAS — Hunter Engineering Co. debuted the Maverick, the firms new premium center-clamp tire changer, at the 2022 SEMA Show.
The Maverick shares similarities with Hunter's existing Revolution fully autonomous tire changer, but keeps the technician in charge, Hunter said.
It's made for techs who want to drive the car themselves, Pete Liebetreu, vice president of marketing, said.
The Maverick offer proportional controls that combine low-speed functionality with on-demand high-speed operation, Hunter said.
Demonstrations of the tire changer drew crowds at Hunter's booth throughout SEMA week. .
Techs who prefer a hands-on approach can adapt the tire changing process to their own needs, with a four-joystick layout that offers tacticle feedback and one-handed control.
A new leverless head uses a Revolution-style tool and hook mechanism for maximum wheel protection while automatically articulating "to maintain perfect wheel alignment." Techs can save extra time and effort using a lifting ledge in the pusher foot.
"We took some great features from the Revolution and designed Maverick to be technician-controlled, focusing on flexibility, speed and safety," Jim Hudson, product manager for tire changers, said.
The new equipment offers multitasking timesaving features including an InflationStation for walkaway inflation and fast filling, automatic parking logic that moves rollers and toolheads out of the way quickly without operator input and a RollerLock center post that clamps fast and tight with a patent-pending ball-retention design.
Hydraulic cylinders offer superior force and precision compared to air cycliners. And a hydraulic rotator motor results in higher torque and lower maintenance, Hunter said.
The Maverick is compact enough for small shops and some mobile applications.
"The Maverick is all about giving technicians what they've told us they want," Hudson said. "It's truly tire changing their own way."
