AGOURA HILLS, CA (March 2024) – BendPak has been around since 1965. From pipe benders to lifts, BendPak quickly gained a reputation for designing and manufacturing premium grade equipment. However, it wasn’t until 1997 that BendPak would take its first steps towards becoming the ultimate destination for all your shop and garage needs.
Your One-Stop-Shop
BendPak unveiled a new division of quality automotive equipment under the banner of Ranger Products. The aim was to provide shops with a full suite of top-quality cost-effective equipment. Whatever you may need, Ranger has it. Looking for tire and wheel service equipment? Got it. AC recovery machines? Check. Creeper seats, floor jacks… whatever need might arise in your shop, Ranger aims to answer it.
Premier Quality Meets Affordability
A lot of tire changers and wheel balancers you’ll find out there are pretty similar in terms of specs and what they. Where they can differ, and sometimes drastically, is in price. For example, Ranger took a look at a competitor offering a model very similar to the R76ATR. Both were tilt-back, handled roughly the same wheels, and had standard bead breaking capabilities. The competitor was also charging roughly double the price of the R76ATR. Which begs the question, what exactly are you paying for?
Pay for What You Need
So how is Ranger able to provide premium grade equipment without having to cost an arm and a leg? As people who grew up working in shops, Ranger knows what you need, and more importantly, what you don’t need. For a lot of shops out there, Ranger’s entry level tire changer is more than enough. If you’re working in a low volume shop, this will give you what you need to efficiently handle most types of passenger wheels, spare tires, and trailer tires. Not all jobs are the same however, and that’s why throughout the Ranger catalog of commercial-grade tire changers you’ll find models which can handle wider tires, come with assist arms, and boast RimGuard™ wheel clamps to protect expensive wheels.
Pro Shop Tire Changers at Home
Ranger’s top-of-the-line tire changers aren’t just for the shop. Select models, including the R980AT and R76ATR, are available in L-Model 110V 50/60 HZ configurations, making them ideal for home use. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, these are the models for you. Having a Ranger tire changer in your own home reaps many benefits. You don’t have to work on someone else’s schedule, you can save cash by handling quick and easy swaps yourself, and you still get the benefits of working with a professional-grade machine – such as having a tilt-back tower for rapid changes or assist-towers that ensure stiff sidewalls don’t give you too much trouble.
For shops out there without a ton of floorspace, Ranger offers a variety of swing-arm tire changers which can be placed flush up against the wall. The R980AT for example is a swing-arm model with an assist arm that will help you when you’re working on stiff sidewalls, run-flats, and low-profile tires. If you have the space, Ranger also manufactures tilt-back machines to have you get tires out as fast as possible. Our premier machine, as of writing, would be the R80EX. This beast of a machine features a tilt-back configuration, adjustable RimGuard™ wheel clamps, a multi-function mount and demount head, and two assist towers. Now you won’t have to call over another technician to help you out when dealing with a stubborn tire.
Most Ranger tires changers come standard with a Turbo-Blast™ bead seater and the previously mentioned RimGuard clamps. These non-marring wheel clamps feature integrated Polymer and Urethane shields to protect delicate wheels. Long-lasting, durable, and easy to replace, RimGuard clamps are preferred due to their ability to make external clamping safe for both aluminum and steel wheel types.
To round out shop equipment, Ranger also offers a line of high-quality wheel balancers. The catalog features a standard model, one with a 64-tooth magnetic transducer encoder for incredibly precise wheel weight placements, one that can handle truck wheels, and one that can optimize weight placement by utilizing Ranger’s exclusive Laser-Spot™ technology.
The proven direct-axis drive system is accurate within hundredths of an ounce and guarantees that wheels are balanced and vibration-free. No matter which model you choose, every Ranger wheel balancer features heavy-duty steel body construction and dependable electronics. Ranger supplies superior wheel balancer features, like a simple ergonomic design and a complete accessories package. This includes a comprehensive truck cone kit. Ranger's exclusive direct-axis drive system and user-friendly settings make up the best wheel balance technology ever made.
Shop Essential
Aside from top-notch tire and wheel equipment, Ranger also designs and provides tech to satisfy virtually every automotive market. Here’s some quick highlights of the other high-quality equipment you can find at BendPak.com. When it comes to A/C recovery machines, Ranger has you covered with the CoolCharge. With the set-it-and-forget-convenience offered with this machine, you’re able to get far more work done since you don’t have to worry about babysitting a machine.
Did you know that Ranger also manufactures lifts? If you’re looking for a safe and convenient way to work on motorcycles, look no further than the RML-1500XL™. With a 1,500-lb. lifting capacity, this lift is built to handle virtually any motorcycle or ATV in its weight class. This rugged lift features 12-gauge welded-steel construction, a non-skid diamond-plate platform surface and full travel automatic safety locks that let you work at your preferred operating height. Then there’s the RML-1100™ low-profile scissor motorcycle jack. With a maximum raised height of 16.5” and two easily adjustable saddle adjusters for enhanced versatility, this specialty motorcycle jack will increase overall service capacity.
Meeting the Needs of Every Automotive Sector
Aside from all that equipment, Ranger still offers everything else you might need in your shop – jacks and stands, carts and dollies, oil drain, hose reels, and a whole lot more. With BendPak and Ranger, you can rest assured that you’re investing in a company that will be able to support your equipment long after the initial purchase. Ranger’s extensive suite of equipment is nowhere near finished. The team is constantly looking at new and emerging markets to see what Ranger can offer to simplify the way you work while doing so in a far more cost-effective manner. Ranger has some more equipment in the works to further enhance automotive shops around the world and there will be more to share on those at a later date. Until then, make sure to check back often to keep up-to-date on all things BendPak/Ranger!
