Triumph NTB-550 Computer Wheel Balancer, 10–28" Wheels, ±1g Accuracy, Static/Dynamic/ALU Modes

Running a busy tire shop or mobile service truck means balancing six to ten wheels a day, and the bottleneck is rarely the operator — it's the balancer's cycle time, calibration drift, and how forgiving the controls are at 4 PM. The Triumph NTB-550 computer wheel balancer handles passenger-car and light-truck wheels from 10 to 28 inches with ±1-gram accuracy and a 6-to-9 second cycle. A foot-pedal brake locks the wheel while you hammer the weight on, so chasing a stubborn 0.20-oz residual through a third spin isn't part of the routine.

Triumph sells the NTB-550 as a standalone unit or bundled with a Triumph tire changer as a shop-starter combo: the NTC-950 + NTB-550 combo, the NTC-950-1 + NTB-550 combo, or the NTC-950-2 + NTB-550 combo. The standalone NTB-550 on this page is the wheel balancer only.

• Static and Dynamic balancing modes for steel rims with clip-on weights on both flanges
• ALU1, ALU2, ALU3 modes for alloy rims that don't accept clip-on weights on one or both sides
• ALUS mode with 4-parameter entry — the most accurate option when using stick-on weights
• OPT mode for matching tire and rim sets to minimise residual imbalance
• Motorcycle mode built in (requires a separate Triumph motorcycle adapter, sold separately)
• Foot-pedal wheel brake holds the wheel still while you place weights, so the third correction spin isn't fighting the wheel
• ±1-gram accuracy with a FINE button that surfaces the exact residual unbalance value down to 1 g or 0.10 oz
• Self-calibration using a 14-inch or 15-inch steel rim with tyre and the supplied 100 g / 3.5 oz calibration weight
• Displays in grams or ounces, millimetres or inches — switch units with one button at any time
• Speed nut and quick-release wing nut for fast wheel changes between cars on the rack
• Plastic safety hood with optional auto-spin (Guard Control On = wheel spins as soon as the hood closes)
• Settable least-unbalance threshold (1–40 g or 0.1–1.5 oz) so small residuals don't show on routine balances

The NTB-550 balances passenger cars, half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton trucks. It fits 14-to-24 inch wheels and 16.5-inch wheels; with Load Range C, D, or E tyres and run-flats, observe a 75-pound total-weight limit per wheel for those heavier categories. Motorcycle wheels require a Triumph motorcycle adapter (sold separately).

The chart below lays out where the NTB-550 fits across Triumph's tire-equipment line, including Triumph's heavier-duty NTB-800 wheel balancer and the truck-class NTB-1200 electronic truck wheel balancer — useful if you're cross-shopping the line.

Not compatible with box trucks, over-the-road truck wheels (19.5-inch or 21.5-inch), or implement wheels. For those, look at the truck-class NTB-1200 instead.

• NTB-550 wheel balancer cabinet with computer display and control panel
• Plastic safety hood
• Threaded shaft and hex bolt for shaft installation
• Cone and plastic cup wheel-mounting set (with spring for short-cone cases)
• Quick-release wing nut
• 100 g / 3.5 oz calibration weight
• Plastic caliper for rim-width input
• Wheel hammer
• Product manual

Motorcycle adapter is not included and is sold separately.

Triumph covers the NTB-550 with a 1-year parts warranty against manufacturing defects, to the original purchaser.

Can the NTB-550 balance motorcycle wheels?

Yes, with the Triumph motorcycle adapter (sold separately). The machine has a dedicated Motorcycle mode that uses the same three wheel parameters as Dynamic mode.

Does the balancer need to be bolted to the floor?

Only if it shakes or moves while spinning the wheel, per Triumph's installation note. Most installations on a flat, stable floor don't require it.

Does the 110 V circuit need anything special?

The machine ships with a preinstalled North American 110 V plug. Triumph specifies that it should plug into a standard outlet, not be hard-wired, and recommends a surge protector — the unit has no internal surge protection, and unplugging it clears the calibration memory.

How fast is a routine balance?

The spin itself takes 6 to 9 seconds. Add the time to read the position indicator, place the weight, and re-spin once to verify, and a routine passenger-car balance is well under a minute.

What's the residual accuracy on a clean balance?

±1 gram with the FINE button revealing the exact residual value. You can also raise the least-unbalance threshold (up to 40 g / 1.5 oz) so the display ignores small residuals on wheels where chasing the last fraction isn't worth the cycle time.

Does it need calibration when it arrives?

Yes. Calibration uses a 14-inch or 15-inch steel rim with tyre plus the 100 g / 3.5 oz weight that ships with the machine — one outside-rim spin and one inside-rim spin. Triumph notes that unplugging the unit clears calibration memory, so plug into a surge-protected outlet you don't intend to switch off.

What ships with the machine?

The balancer cabinet, plastic safety hood, threaded shaft and hex bolt, cone-and-cup mounting set, quick-release wing nut, 100 g / 3.5 oz calibration weight, plastic caliper, wheel hammer, and product manual. Motorcycle adapter is sold separately.

Triumph NTB-550 Product Manual (PDF)

The NTB-550 ships 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. The driver doesn't move the balancer inside your shop or unbox it. If you'd rather pick up at the carrier's nearest freight terminal with a trailer or van, that's available on request. You schedule the delivery appointment with the freight carrier directly.