To tube or not to tube.

BarnyardEngineering · Feb 9, 2023

Got four brand new 9.5L-15 wagon tires on the Fedex truck today.

Always trying to do things on a budget. Cheapest way to mount is of course tubeless, but then I will have to fight to get the beads seated. Two of the tires are pretty squashed. Tubes will add $15 to the cost of each tire, but will eliminate the frustration of having to seat the beads tubeless.

What's my time and sanity worth? Note that I don't have much of either to spare...

Yeah I've tried the starter fluid trick. All I've ever been able to accomplish is to set the tire on fire.

DRussell · Feb 9, 2023

Cut four short sticks or boards slightly longer than the rim is wide and
put them lengthwise in the unmounted tire holding the beads apart. Leave
the tire in a warm place overnight like this and it will mount and seat
the beads easily.

Geo-TH,In · Feb 9, 2023

My tractor tire store will apply a black silicone caulk to seat
the beads.

I used silicone on a mower tire that wouldn't stop leaking.
I had to install a new valve stem and it was impossible for me
to get the silicone bead off. So off to the tire store, $25
charge to repair tires.

I've had some luck using slime on the bead to stop it from
leaking.

It's your money. I use tubes after the tire needs one.

flying belgian · Feb 9, 2023

I've had luck putting a ratchet strap around tire and cinching it up thereby spreading the bead.

Steve@Advance · Feb 9, 2023

Do you know if the wheels are designed for tubeless use? The old ones were not, made different where the
bead seats, and if the center is riveted the rivets may not be airtight. Rust on the bead, stem hole, and
general construction is also a consideration.

BarnyardEngineering · Feb 9, 2023

They are tubeless wheels.

rustred · Feb 9, 2023

It all depends if the rim was made for tubeless tires. What
was the old one , tubeless ? Them wide tires usually work
good being tubeless. And seat pretty easy. I prefer tubes
in my standard 15 inch implement tires. Seams always
adding air to the tubeless ones. Murphy soap the same
stuff tires shops use I have found is the bestest thing
going for sealing. And if there is a crack then just goop it
up and they seat up pretty hood. Air up with valve insert
out of course to get max air flow.

rustred · Feb 9, 2023

Theres your answer.

DeltaRed · Feb 9, 2023

Tube it. In the long run,more trouble free. Those tires develop bead leaks and always seem to be flat every time you hook it up.I no longer go tubeless for that reason. OK for a car. Farm implement, No.

J.Wondergem · Feb 9, 2023

Maybe use a portable tank of air with a 2 1/2 inch outlet and quick shut off.

rustred · Feb 9, 2023

as long as they are not chinese tubes. lots of leaking trouble with them. hardly can find a brand name anymore. i installed 2 new 750 x18 front tractor tires 2 days ago . ordered the 2 tubes. saw they were made in vietnam and said i will trust these before the china one. they were called carlyle, and 26.00 ea. just check the air in them and good so far. the good stuff is really gone for good.

acresgreen · Feb 9, 2023

I second DRussell , have had to do that many times with shipped tires. And even better, if you can set them in the sun while propped open,
all the better. I personally like tubeless better, run over a nail just pop a plug in it. no breaking down and patching. my 2 cents.

jaoneill · Feb 9, 2023

I put tubes in everything but the car and pickup tires. Saves grief in the long run.....

Michael Soldan · Feb 9, 2023

At the shop I worked at we had a box of sticks about 6 long . We would prop the tire apart on the beads and set them in the sun for a couple of hours. They usually popped right onto the rim bead.

4wdtom · Feb 9, 2023

I had a leaky rear tire bead on a van some years ago and used silicone to try and seal it. It sealed but the silicone never cured and it let the bead slip around the rim over time. On a trip from the east to west coast the tire slipped around the rim and went out of balance. Had to have it balanced. I don't remember what I did or if it eventually cured.

glennster · Feb 9, 2023

try this starting fluid
poke here

Centerplate · Feb 9, 2023

I clean up and paint the inside of the rim to get a clean sealing surface. I try to mount most as tubeless.

jimlll · Feb 9, 2023

I prefer tubeless, as it prevents moisture from causing
rust between tube and rim.

I have successfully used the starting fluid technique.

I use the fluid sparingly and remove it from the exterior of
the tire.

UncleTom · Feb 9, 2023

I use to mount pull type fertilizer spreader tires when i was 18. They would be stacked up in a building to the ceiling. They were smashed flat. We would put out as many as we could in the sun and they would go right on. I will say that big in flater tank with the 3 outlet would sure be nice.

westga · Feb 9, 2023

These are tubless tires? I wouldn't mount
tube type tubless.

To tube or not to tube.

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