Tire Dollies, Tire Carts and Conveyors: Moving Tires Without the Heavy Lifting

Quick answer: A tire dolly is a wheeled cart for lifting and moving heavy tires and wheels without carrying them. Shops use small wheel dollies to mount and remove truck wheels, tire carts to move stacks of tires across the floor, hub and drum dollies to handle heavy brake parts, and powered tire conveyors to move tires between floors, trucks and storage. Choose by the weight and size of what you move, the distance, the floor surface, and how many tires you move each day.

See every option on our tire carts and dollies and tire conveyors pages.

Why tire handling equipment matters

Truck wheels and tires are heavy, and even a stack of passenger tires adds up quickly over a shift. Lifting and twisting with that weight is how backs get hurt. The right dolly or cart lets one technician move the load with good posture, keeps tires off the floor, and speeds up every job from receiving a delivery to putting wheels back on a truck.

Types of tire handling equipment

• Truck wheel dollies. A low dolly that slides under a truck wheel and tire so you can roll it on or off the hub. The Martins Industries MSTWD truck wheel dolly is one example.
• Tire riders. Carts for carrying several tires at once. We carry the Martins Industries MSTC Tire Rider Standard and MTC Tire Rider Tuff.
• Tire carts. Larger carts for moving stacks of tires in a warehouse or shop, including the MPTC Premium Tire Cart and the MWTC Wooden Tire Cart.
• Hub and drum dollies. For heavy truck hubs and brake drums. The Tire Service International 350B Back Buddy is listed as a hub and drum handling dolly.
• Tire conveyors. Powered conveyors that move tires up or down between a truck, a mezzanine or a storage area. The Martins Industries TC series comes in 15, 18, 21 and 24 foot lengths, each listed with two controls and a motor brake, with matching stands.

How to choose a tire dolly or cart

1. What you move. A single truck wheel, a stack of passenger tires, hubs and drums, or bulk inventory. Each needs a different tool.
2. Weight and size. Check the listed capacity and tire size range on each product page against your heaviest load.
3. Distance. Short moves in the bay suit a wheel dolly. Moves across the shop or warehouse suit a cart. Moves between floors or into trailers suit a conveyor.
4. Floor surface. Smooth concrete, rough yard or ramps. Larger wheels roll better on rough ground.
5. Volume. If you unload deliveries every week, a conveyor can save hours of lifting.
6. Storage. Think about where the cart lives when it is not in use.

Specs explained

• Capacity. The maximum load the dolly or cart is rated to carry.
• Tire size range. The diameters and widths the unit is built for.
• Wheels and casters. Size, material and whether they swivel or lock.
• Conveyor length. For conveyors, the overall length decides how high or far it can move tires. Stands set the angle and height.
• Controls and brake. The TC conveyors are listed with two controls and a motor brake.

Safety tips

• Never exceed the listed capacity.
• Keep stacks low enough to see over and stable enough not to tip.
• Push rather than pull where possible, and move slowly on ramps and slopes.
• Keep feet clear of the wheels and the load when lowering.
• On conveyors, keep hands and clothing clear of moving parts, and use the controls as the vendor instructs.
• Inspect wheels, frames and handles regularly and repair or retire damaged equipment.

Where each type fits

• Truck and fleet shops: a truck wheel dolly at each bay plus a hub and drum dolly for brake work.
• Retail tire shops: tire riders or carts to move tires between storage, the tire changer and the vehicle.
• Tire warehouses: tire carts and conveyors for receiving and loading, with tire storage racks.
• Mobile tire service: a compact dolly that fits on the service truck.
• Shops with a mezzanine: a conveyor to move tires up and down.

Common mistakes

1. Carrying truck wheels by hand. A wheel dolly is cheap compared with a back injury.
2. Overloading carts. A tall stack can tip on a turn.
3. Wrong wheels for the floor. Small casters catch on cracks and drains.
4. Buying conveyor length by guesswork. Measure the height and distance you need to cover first.
5. No home for the equipment. If a cart has no spot, it ends up in the way.

Planning a tire flow in your shop

Map how tires move today: from the delivery truck to storage, from storage to the tire changer, from the changer to the vehicle, and from the vehicle to the scrap pile. Each handoff is a chance to lift less. Put a conveyor where deliveries arrive, carts between storage and the bays, a wheel dolly at each truck bay, and a tire cage next to the changer. Then add tire cutters or a scrap tire area at the end of the line if your volume calls for it. Small changes to the flow add up over a busy season.

How much does a tire dolly cost?

At the time of writing, truck wheel dollies on our site start around $215, tire riders run about $460 to $970, tire carts about $1,030 to $1,150, the hub and drum dolly about $3,325, and tire conveyors about $12,560 to $17,420 before stands. Prices change, so check each collection for current pricing. Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Frequently asked questions

What is a tire dolly used for?

To lift and move heavy tires and wheels, usually truck wheels, without carrying them by hand.

What is the difference between a tire dolly and a tire cart?

A dolly usually handles one wheel at a time for mounting and removal. A cart moves several tires across the shop.

Do I need a tire conveyor?

If you unload tire deliveries often or store tires on another level, a conveyor can save a lot of lifting.

Can a wheel dolly handle super single tires?

Check the listed tire size range and capacity on the product page before buying.

Related equipment

See tire storage racks, tire shelving vs folding tire racks, heavy duty truck tire changers and Martins Industries. Questions? Contact us.