mf65 rim- weld or buy a new one

Has anybody welded these rims? A new one will set me back $600 With laborer,calcuim new tube.

I have successfully repaired a rim that the valve stem hole compromised by a leaky valve core,(over a period of years). If the rim is in reasonable condition, I don't see why it could not be cleaned, repaired, painted and or coated with finish. DO NOT weld the rim with the tire on it, tire should be completely off, (see link below).

I was faced with a similar cost, familiar with larger tires a bit, but not a tire repair person, I bought a pair of spoons, broke the bead with the loader, then used the spoons a few inches at a time, also had some rim glyde (sp?) from napa and the cotton swab applicator to lube the bead, (soapy water will work just fine). Welded the the old hole, both sides, left the raised bead of weld on the outside, then ground and smoothed the inside, painted mine with zinc rich galv spray. Re-assembled, installed a new tube, just partially inflate, let the air out, fully inflate, and that was it, been 7 or 8 years now. Getting a tire off the rim is no big deal, breaking the bead can be, I used some small lumber under the loader bucket, some down pressure and that was it. You can run an edge over with a wheel on a truck or something, if the tire is old and compromised you may want to use care. I thought it was worth learning, no harm done, just some time to do it, as I have watched the tire guy closely in the past, figured it worth doing, given it was always $500 when he showed up. There is a valve you can get at TSC, gemplers for loading CACL, lets air out, fluid in, I used a garbage can and a drill pump, then another pump, CACL is hard on things not meant for it, both those pumps went bad, not sure if it was the CACL, or what, both were flushed, drill pump went half way through. Even the tire pressure gauge went bad, so use care with those kinds of things, or have the tire guy load it, he will have the expensive brass like pump meant for it. Probably take 150lbs of CACL flake ($20/ 50lb.bag) if I recall the chart on a tire similar in size. (look up the tire on an ag tire ballast chart, it will tell you how much ballast and for what temperature it is good for) Tube might be $50+, they have gone up, find a good quality one if you can.
Wheels of Fire Training Video by Bridgestone

You have a bomb there!

If you weld it you will be liable if anyone gets hurt with it after that.

My suggestion is to buy a new one and do it right. I know you probably only put 20-25 psi in that tire but multiple the psi x square inches on the inside wall of the tire it's pushing against and you'll have that much force pushing on those welds and any other weak spot inside you can't see externally.

Too many people have been injured or killed with tires exploding. I was injured one time with an 8" rim from a forklift. I was one of the lucky ones though.

When it comes to tires and rims don't skimp or repairs.

Would you weld a tire on your car or truck???

I have lost count of how many rims I have welded up and they are still holding. Shoot I have been told I could not weld one up and I have 2 or 3 of those and they are still holding just fine. The one you show is not bad you should have seen a few I have done in the past

No problem. I repair all of them for the local tractor tire shop. Maybe 30/yr. Weld a patch over the stem where it is rusted out. Put the patch on the inside and grind all welds and edges smooth. then drill a new 5/8 valve stem hole 180 degrees from existing. Good to go. I can't help you with putting fluid in or out. They always bring me the blank rim.

I would have it repaired. I personally repaired at least a dozen rims.

I've welded up a lot worse rims than that. The last pair took three weeks of cutting, welding, and grinding.

I am sure others will jump in but dont weld it with the tire on the rim .
you will have to take the tire off to weld or take the tire off to remount on new rim. I would fix up that one if it was mine. buy the adapter pop the tire off and fix it afternoons job.

i have welded both my uncles rims on his 175, take tire off and take your time. its still holding after apx 15 years.

I have 2 on my car right now been on there since last fall. Aluminum and weld up real nice by a professional welder.

I'd say it depends on how bad it looks once you take it apart and have it sandblasted. If it's mostly solid I'd not have a problem with a piece of new metal welded in for repair. I have welded up some with pin holes before. Most of the really bad ones I was always able to scrounge up some good used rims.