Triumph NTB-550 Computer Wheel Balancer for 10–28 Inch Wheels

What the NTB-550 balances

The NTB-550 covers wheels from 10 to 28 inches, rim widths of 1.5 to 20 inches, and tires up to 44 inches in diameter, with a maximum wheel weight of 150 lbs. Triumph rates it for passenger cars and half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton trucks. It fits 14-to-24 inch wheels and 16.5-inch wheels; for those, with Load Range C, D, or E tires and run-flats, Triumph specifies a 75-pound total-weight limit per wheel. Motorcycle wheels run through a built-in Motorcycle mode, but they require a Triumph motorcycle adapter that is sold separately. What it does not cover: box trucks, over-the-road truck wheels in 19.5-inch or 21.5-inch, and implement wheels. Those belong on the truck-class NTB-1200 instead.

Balancing modes and accuracy

Static and Dynamic modes handle steel rims that take clip-on weights on both flanges. ALU1, ALU2, and ALU3 cover alloy rims that don't accept clip-on weights on one or both sides, and ALUS uses 4-parameter entry — the most accurate option when you're running stick-on weights. OPT mode matches tire and rim sets to minimise residual imbalance. Accuracy is ±1 gram, and a FINE button surfaces the exact residual unbalance value down to 1 g or 0.10 oz. When chasing the last fraction isn't worth the cycle time, the least-unbalance threshold is settable from 1 to 40 g (0.1 to 1.5 oz) so small residuals don't show on routine balances. There is no automatic data entry — the operator enters all three wheel parameters.

Power, calibration, and installation

The NTB-550 runs on 110 volts with a North American plug preinstalled and a 1/4 HP motor. Triumph specifies plugging it into a standard outlet rather than hard-wiring it, and recommends a surge protector: the unit has no internal surge protection, and unplugging it clears the calibration memory — so use an outlet you don't intend to switch off. Calibration is required and uses a 14-inch or 15-inch steel rim with tire plus the supplied 100 g / 3.5 oz weight, one outside-rim spin and one inside-rim spin. Bolting to the floor is only necessary if the machine shakes or moves while spinning a wheel; most installations on a flat, stable floor don't require it. Assembled size is 28 × 47 × 56 inches, and the shaft is 36 mm.

What's in the crate and how it ships

The crate holds the balancer cabinet with computer display and control panel, plastic safety hood, threaded shaft and hex bolt, the cone and plastic cup wheel-mounting set (with spring for short-cone cases), quick-release wing nut, the 100 g / 3.5 oz calibration weight, a plastic caliper for rim-width input, a wheel hammer, and the product manual. The motorcycle adapter is not included. Shipping weight is 325 lbs in a 36 × 28 × 46 inch crate, moving LTL freight on a 48-foot semi-truck with lift-gate service: the driver lowers the crate to the ground at the back of the truck but does not move it into your shop or unbox it. Terminal pickup is available on request, and you schedule the appointment with the carrier directly. Triumph covers the NTB-550 with a 1-year parts warranty against manufacturing defects, to the original purchaser.

Key features

• Foot-pedal wheel brake — holds the wheel still while you place the weight, so the correction spin isn't fighting the wheel
• Steel and alloy modes — Static and Dynamic for clip-on weights, ALU1/ALU2/ALU3 for alloy rims, ALUS with 4-parameter entry for stick-on weights, plus OPT for tire-and-rim matching
• ±1-gram accuracy with FINE readout — the FINE button shows the exact residual unbalance down to 1 g or 0.10 oz
• 6–9 second cycle time — a routine passenger-car balance, including reading the position indicator and placing the weight, is well under a minute
• Self-calibration — uses a 14-inch or 15-inch steel rim with tire and the supplied 100 g / 3.5 oz calibration weight
• Switchable units — grams or ounces, millimetres or inches, changed with one button at any time
• Plastic safety hood with optional auto-spin — with Guard Control On, the wheel spins as soon as the hood closes