Author	[Modern View]
JML755 08-20-2012 10:12:18 97.78.165.184 Report to Moderator	My DR Brush Mower tire got another flat. Got lots of thorn trees that I've been cutting down over the years clearing my land. I had installed a tube in it about a year ago the last time. The tire is 18x6.50-8 and could only find a "combo" tube at the time (6.50-7.50-8.50). Anyway, I fought with the bead, got the tube out finally and patched it. Then I fought to get it back in the tire while half of the bead was still on it. Gave up and took the whole tire off the rim, thought I'd try slipping the valve stem in the rim hole, wrap the tube around the rim and remount the tire. Advantage is that the valve stem is easy to stick in the rim when the tire is not in the way. Got one bead over the rim but couldn't get the tube pushed into the tire, primarily because of the size of the tube, I figured. So I dismounted the tire (again), put the tube in first and then put the rim on. Got it over one bead okay but then the challenge is to get the valve stem located and thru the hole in the rim. Grabbed it with some long needlenose to gently guide it into the hole (not enough room for fingers) and as I pushed it thru, noticed I obviously wasn't gentle enough as it was pretty floppy and I could see it was torn at the tube. Grrrr.. Called around and finally found a place that had the 6.50 size tube (not the combo size). Installed the new tube and then struggled (as usual) with getting the beads over the tires. Using soapy water as I usually do wasn't enough. Sprayed some WD 40 around the rim and the bead and things went better but still not a piece of cake. This brings up the question of what is the "proper" way to mount/dismount small tires? Seems that even though they're smaller they're just as much a PITA as any other. Do you guys just fight them until they give up or is there a surefire way to do the job without struggling that I just don't know? I don't have spoons but I've some nice long screwdrivers and pry bars of varying lengths and sizes that I use. [Reply]   [No Email]
ihman73 09-02-2012 13:21:13 67.43.125.34 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   That's the hope but don't count on it.   [Reply]  [No Email]
JML755 08-27-2012 05:03:24 97.78.165.195 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to MF Poor, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Dang, I shouldn't have posted this thread! I jinxed myself. Went out to my property yesterday where I have my Ford 755 backhoe and Ford 3600 parked. As I drove in, noticed the 3600 was leaning. Oh, no. Flat rear tire. Then I took a look at the BH next to it. One of the rears was also flat. I didn't have any tools with me, so I know what I'm going to be doing this weekend. Was hoping to use both machines, too on the holiday weekend. Last time I did the BH rear, it went to the tire shop. Debating on doing it myself by leaving the tires on the machines like some people said but for sure I'm going to be picking up some tire lube, valve tool (thanks for the tip guys) and figure out a bead breaker.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Ol' Gimpy 08-23-2012 11:51:18 74.67.127.235 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   Old rule of thumb-"Smaller The Tire,Bigger The PIA". Commercial mower guy I know of got fed up with flats,took tire/rim unit to a commercial shop,filled "em with foam.Fixed THAT problem for good.A bit expensive though-   [Reply]  [No Email]
hd6g tom 08-22-2012 10:22:51 75.170.237.148 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   Its real simple take it to a professional tire shop in your area. WD40 and soap are not slick enough to mount tires. you need a professional tire lube. better yet, just take it to the pros.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Dusty MI 08-22-2012 03:42:36 76.247.130.219 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to Stick welding, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   [quote="JML755"](quoted from post at 16:53:16 08/21/12) Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see   [Reply]  [No Email]
JOB 08-21-2012 18:43:42 74.36.132.102 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   Here is a 8 inch tire break down tool that I made a couple of years ago, works real good. The tool that JD Seller posted would be handy. I use the other type, but would use the one JD posted if I could find one locally. And the tire off the wheel. It is kind of hard to put the tube in the tire and get the valve stem through the hole while half the tire is on the wheel. I just use large screwdrivers also, with no problem. When I made this I copied an old Coats manual changer   [Reply]  [No Email]
JML755 08-21-2012 16:53:16 24.192.222.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to Lanse, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Thanks Hal, I've been leery of that stuff, but I may give it a try.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Hal/Eastern WA 08-21-2012 14:32:04 97.114.119.224 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   I used to fool around trying to fix small implement tires by tubing them and then patching the tube. It was a lot of work, and the annoying thing was usually I ended up doing it again fairly soon because another thorn worked its way through the tire and poked the tube again. Or because I pinched the tube during the process. But then I found out about SLIME. It is easy to install into a flat tubeless or tube tire, cheaper by far to buy than a tube, and IT WORKS. It will seal small punctures, bead leaks and even if a tire has 50 Hawthorn thorns in it, the tire will hold air assuming you don"t just let it sit in one position for years. I like my equipment to be ready to use when I want to use it. Almost all the tires I have ever put Slime in have been totally reliable after the installation. The only small tire Slime didn"t fix for me had a fairly large chunk blown out of a sidewall that I failed to notice. That was just too big a hole for the goo to fill. As long as a tire is only used at slow speed and balancing is not an issue, I recommend using Slime or other similar products to fix flats in tires that use only air to keep them inflated. I don"t see how Slime would work well in liquid filled tires. Good luck!   [Reply]  [No Email]
cd1 08-21-2012 07:55:53 67.234.196.64 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   Go to motorcycle shop and buy some small tire irons, they are very handy. put one bead on, put tube in, air tube to round shape but no pressure. put other bead on. seat beads and your done. Proper tire lube goes a long ways and the vice grip trick mentioned below really helps on tiny tires. I do ones like this often and really it's no sweat once you have a little practice.   [Reply]  [No Email]
JML755 08-21-2012 04:28:10 97.78.165.177 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   Hey guys, thanks for all the feedback! Looks like I'm putting the HF tire changer on my birthday list. Also gotta remember the valve fishing tool next time I'm at TSC. I should have posted this BEFORE I did the tire. :( I especially like the trick of the vise grips on the rim. I'm sure that would have helped. With my luck, though, I'll get the tools and never get a flat again!   [Reply]  [No Email]
Jim in MN 08-20-2012 20:52:15 98.132.220.48 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   I learned a trick for installing small tires on rims working at a lawn mower shop. Clamp a vise grip on the rim bead. Start putting the tire on under the vise grip. As you work your way around stretching the tire onto the rim, the vise grip will catch the tire and keep it from sliding off.   [Reply]  [No Email]
JDseller 08-20-2012 19:46:20 208.126.196.144 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   1) Mount one side of your tire on the rim. 2) Thread Valve stem tool through rim hole and screw it on the tube. 3) Using the tool pull the tube/valve stem into the rim. 4) Slip the rest of the tube over the rim. 5) Install the other bead of the tire. 6) Pull the valve stem up with the tool. 7) I usually lock a small pair of Vise Grips on the stem so it can't pull back in the rim. Unscrew the tool and pump the tire up with air. I also usually just go to 10-15 LBS. Then let the air back out of the tire. Then pump it back up to your operating pressure. I do the last step because if you have the tube twisted on itself letting the air back out will allow it to straighten back out. That little tool with the cable is worth its weight in gold on a tube tire.   [Reply]  [No Email]
scotc 08-20-2012 19:10:49 75.245.14.192 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   I would rather mount an 18.4-38 tractor tire myself than a 14 inch car tire. Other than the weight, they are so much easier. An inch of stretch to get the bead over the rim is a lot smaller fraction of 38 inches than 14 inches. Lawn mower tires? Forget it, they go to the tire shop, or get filled with some slime-like tire sealer, that's a lot better than slime.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Dean 08-20-2012 21:17:20 152.216.3.5 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to scotc, 08-20-2012 19:10:49   Bingo. Aside from weight, the bigger, the easier. Dean   [Reply]  [No Email]
Southern Ray 08-20-2012 14:08:34 24.173.196.139 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   I bolt the wheel to my work table with a piece of thread rod. I snug it down solid and then I go at it with both hands. Dismounting and mounting is much easier. I had to mount the tube first on one wheel and then the tire because the tube was too stiff to stretch over the bead with the tire in the way. Mounting the tire over the tube was tough but I got it on.   [Reply]  [No Email]
George Marsh 08-20-2012 12:50:23 205.188.116.142 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   JML755 , I've noticed that places like Menards and HF are selling some wheelborrow tires that are hard rubber. Even seen 2 wheel carts with hard rubber. I retro-fitted hard rubber tires for my belly mower. I'm beginning to dislike small pneumatic tires. They always loose air and need to air up before you use. There is a tire place in town that will foam fill tires. It's not cheap, nor are the hard rubber tires, but if you have a problem child, might be something to think about. George   [Reply]  [No Email]
Az.peapicker 08-20-2012 12:36:39 70.176.21.242 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   Harbor Freight has a small tire changer that works pretty good , I used one when I worked for the Mesa School District as we had several small tractors & riding mowers to up keep. The Mesa School District is the largest in Arizona . I worked there for the last 10 years before I retired . John   [Reply]  [No Email]
Diydave 08-20-2012 16:04:08 96.244.156.180 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to Az.peapicker, 08-20-2012 12:36:39   The HF mini tire changer is best on those small tires, under about 10 inch rim diameter. Compared to cussing, and busted knuckles, it's the best $40 you'll spend. Also, the valve tool, that the other poster had a picture of, is the best for tubes. Also, get some murphy's oil soap, or pine sol, and mix it up strong, as tire lube. Also handy, is a large wooden screw clamp, like the furniture makers use, handy, for holding pressure against the beads, when mounting the second bead.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Diydave 08-20-2012 16:06:57 96.244.156.180 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to Diydave, 08-20-2012 16:04:08   Whoops, forgot the link: HF mini tire machine   [Reply]  [No Email]
Chip812 08-20-2012 11:45:56 216.226.180.3 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   This one is a lot cheaper... http://www.tractorsupply.com/slime-reg-valve-fishing-tool-1170840   [Reply]  [No Email]
JOB 08-22-2012 03:35:28 74.36.132.102 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to Chip812, 08-20-2012 11:45:56   Looks like I will head over to tractor supply   [Reply]  [No Email]
PJH 08-20-2012 11:28:59 50.40.245.237 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   This'll help you with that valve stem. Link is just an example - cheaper ones are out there. Valve stem fishing tool   [Reply]  [No Email]
AzPeapicker 08-20-2012 16:52:20 70.176.21.242 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to PJH, 08-20-2012 11:28:59   They work great . I got mine at a yard sale years ago for less than a dollar . John   [Reply]  [No Email]
davediehl@hotmail.com 08-20-2012 11:20:02 173.30.211.28 Report to Moderator	Re: Small tire repair - proper way in reply to JML755, 08-20-2012 10:12:18   I've always used a large flat screwdriver and lotsa dish soap. Make it slippery and a few minutes later, your finished.   [Reply]  [No Email]