Split rim Wheels

[Eric_Phillips]

Since this has to do with my manure spreader I posted in this forum. I took the wheels off the manure spreader and got some new tires. I pulled this spreader out of my wife's uncle's place and the tires are rotted. So I have two questions. Any thoughts on good ways to cut off the old tires? They are bias ply tires. Once I get them off I want to clean up the rims before putting the new tires on. Is there a way to get the split ring off the rim with out killing myself or having special tools? I have never worked with split rims before so any help would be appreciated. My goal is to get the rust off and repaint them. just to try to make them last longer.

[Iron Horse]

Have a look at the current thread " mounting a tire " you should find all the tips you need . If the tyre still wont come off you may need to buy a 4" carbide tipped saw blade to fit a 4" angle grinder or use a hacksaw and cut it off . Make sure you use the grinder gaurd , eye and ear protection and heavy gloves . The only thing you need to be very cautious of is the steel wire in the beads , i'd suggest you use a thin fibre cutting wheel for these , be very carefull and try not to damage the rim .

[PaulChristenson]

This thread...
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/p...ting-tire.html

[Eric_Phillips]

Thanks,
I just read through that thread and they mostly talked about normal rims. I have split rims that Iron Horse and Bird mentioned a couple times. I tired asking this same question in that thread. Hopefully one of those two can help.

[MikeD74T]

Eric, Foremost -what you might not know about split rims can kill you!!! If you've asked around you know almost no tire shop will touch a split rim these days. However you can change them safely. Once fully deflated the rings should pry off with a little effort & 2 pry bars. If necessary the tires can be cut off with a sawsall & metal cutting blades.
Clean the rims well, mount the tires, & put the rings back on. THIS IS THE DANGEROUS PART. Split rims should only be inflated in a special purpose cage. If the ring unseats during inflation it is lethal and often fatal. Lacking a cage you can wrap the tire & rim in multiple locations with chain and lay ring side down to inflate, keeping in mind you could still injure or loose a hand if you put it in harm's way. Use safety wire to ensure the chain hooks remain engaged. After inflated whack the ring a few times with a hammer before removing the chain.
Dangerous tasks can be performed safely with knowledge & forethought, this is a dangerous task. MikeD74T

[Iron Horse]

Can you post a picture as there are many types . If it just has a ring with a split section you will find it has a small notch on one end of the ring . After the bead is broken using a large chisel and hammer or simillar (if its not already broken) Place the blade of a tyre lever or large screwdriver in this notch . Pry the notch out of the rim groove by levering the screwdriver towards the center of the rim (You must ensure the lip on the ring is not catching on the tyre by stepping on the sidewall). Put another screwdriver in the gap you have created a little further along from the other and do the same as before . Remove the first screwdriver and do the same proceedure again and again untill the ring is off . If the tyre is stuck to the rim you may need to cut it off like i said . If the rust does not need sandblasting use a wire wheel on a drill and clean all the rust off . You can use a product called POR15 i think thats what it's called , others on the forum will know , then use a good quality metal primer and paint ..... Mike was typing a little faster than me . As he said be carefull if you decide to refit and inflate the tyre yourself .

[herringchoker]

Eric, as others have said, split rims can be lethal...so plan ahead and be very careful.

Check out this site for safety and procedures:
Accuride Corporation: All Around Leader in Wheels

In section XI, on pages 1 and 2 you will find procedures for demounting and mounting tires on two different types of split rims.

[Eric_Phillips]

Here are a couple pictures of the wheels. This looks like a solid ring that goes around the rim. I don't see how it comes off. Do you think the rust looks too bad or are they worthy of being cleaned up?

[tommu56]

Eric_Phillips

As one who has broken a hand inflating a tire!

Those don't look look like any split ring type tires Iv'e worked on.

They look more like split rim but those didn't have a center in them like yours.

Before you cleen them up find some one that can mount them so you dont waste your time.

I would really sugest replaceing them with drop center rims check out the junk yards for used ones .

tom

[Bird]

Originally Posted by Eric_Phillips

Here are a couple pictures of the wheels. This looks like a solid ring that goes around the rim. I don't see how it comes off. Do you think the rust looks too bad or are they worthy of being cleaned up?

If that ring had a break in it, and the notch mentioned by Iron Horse, it would be the "split ring" I've been thinking you had; i.e., the same as I had on my 1971 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup. And of course that's not what you have. Now I can't say for sure, but I think what you have to do with the ones you have is to push one side of that ring down into the "well" near the center of the wheel, then pry it off starting on the side opposite the one you pushed down into the well. In other words, you actually deform it temporarily from being perfectly round. And you remove that ring about the same way you would remove a tire from a normal wheel. While it isn't really necessary to cut the tire off first, it would make it a bit easier to push one side down into the well.