HF tire changer

[chopped]

I was wondering if anyone has this
Portable Tire Changer
And if they were able to use the long pie tool bar it comes with. I find the end is too thick to do much with So I need using spoons. even though the 'machine' is a good buy ..

 

[milkman]

I was looking at that from another thread, looks simple and will work for the non aluminum wheels I have. I got a gift card for HF and now I have an excuse to go by there and see if they have them in the store. I used a similar mechanical tire changer back in the '60s and they worked really well. I think this one will work ok if it is made strong enough. Great price.

 

[bjr]

There is another tire removal bar called "No Mar" they make other tire tools that are plastic lined to protect custom wheels that might work better. The bar that comes with the HF takes a little getting used to and extra tire spoons really help. I have collected almost a dozen different tire spoon/bars to facilatate tire work. One of the biggest helps for me is Murhpys tire mounting compound (tire soap). Lubricate and lubricate some more this is the biggest tire tip I know of. I know HF calls there tire machine Portable, but, in the instructions item "1" says to solidly mount tool. I mounted mine on a 4' x 4' x 1/2" steel plate. Other people have drill and mounted to cement floor with 5/8" bolts. You put serious tork on the thing wrestleing tires on and off, so, mount to something solid, you'll be glad you did. Air pressure guage;stem installer tool; core removal tool; tire patches with fresh cement and stitcher wheel;air buffer with proper wheel and last but not least a decent aircompressor. The HF static tire balancer works pretty good also. I'm a big Craigslist tire guy and keep family on decent tires on the cheap, I just don't get the road hazard warranty doin' it myself. bjr

 

[dfkrug]

And if they were able to use the long pie tool bar it comes with. I find the end is too thick to do much with So I need using spoons. even though the 'machine' is a good buy ..

Mine cost only $34 years ago, on sale. Don't forget some of those
excellent HF tire irons for only $6 (photo). The bar that comes with
the HF changer works to mount (one end) or dismount (the other end)
once you have things started.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/151905-mounting-dismounting-your-own-tractor.html

 

[radioman]

I have one and I love it. I have it setup so I have anchor bolts in cement floor and can unbolt it and put away when not in use. I used it on car tires to my kubota tires. The only thing that doesnt work is the the small lawn tractor tires as the hole is too small, I'd have to fabricate something to use a small spindle.

 

[Soundguy]

I got one 2 weeks ago and love it. I use both ends.. just takes getting used to. i also have a couple tire irons to help.. and used those to do tires before I had the machine.

vegitable soap based rubber lube works wonders making stuff slip on and off easier.. especially de beading the tire from the rim.

a valve fishing tool helps too.

as someone said they make a dismount bar for aluminum rims.

mine was 50$ - a 20% coupon..

soundguy

 

[Jim Thompson]

I have one and I love it. I have it setup so I have anchor bolts in cement floor and can unbolt it and put away when not in use. I used it on car tires to my kubota tires. The only thing that doesnt work is the the small lawn tractor tires as the hole is too small, I'd have to fabricate something to use a small spindle.

They also offer a smaller, bench mounted tire changer for the riding mower tires too. I have both. They can be a pain, but they get the job done.:thumbsup:

Jim

 

[Skyco]

I've used mine for motorcycle tires, atv tires and even 16" trailer tires. I lag bolt it to the deck when I need to use it. RuGlyde is a proper rubber lube that makes it relatively easy...I don't use homemade lubes as they can cause a tire to slip on a rim.

BTW the ATV tires are the hardest I've ever changed...the dual bead to keep the low pressure tire from popping inward under use can be a real struggle...but it can be done...pant-pant-pant

 

[Starks]

BTW the ATV tires are the hardest I've ever changed...the dual bead to keep the low pressure tire from popping inward under use can be a real struggle...but it can be done...pant-pant-pant

The first time I did a set of ATV tires on mine....was the last! :thumbsup:

 

[texasjohn]

I got one.
Found it almost impossible to use the provided bar, it bent.... have tire lube even....stopped using it...mounted it to concrete base. Clearly a requirement.

 

[Soundguy]

bent the rod? perhaps they have re designed it. I have a set of spoons from napa and TSC.. they flex when I use them.. the HF rod is pipe and doesn't even flex in use. jsut did a set of tires last weekend with it... maybee redesigned?

soundguy

 

[radioman]

bent the rod? perhaps they have re designed it. I have a set of spoons from napa and TSC.. they flex when I use them.. the HF rod is pipe and doesn't even flex in use. jsut did a set of tires last weekend with it... maybee redesigned?

soundguy

BENT?! I find it hard to beleive too. Maybe you are referring the the bead breaker arms ? They are a little flimsy . A scrap piece of metal welded on or bolted on will take care of that. The HF spoon bar is pretty HD and I don't see how you can bend it.

 

[radioman]

They also offer a smaller, bench mounted tire changer for the riding mower tires too. I have both. They can be a pain, but they get the job done.:thumbsup:

Jim

Not sure if I want the bench model. I would prefer an attachment piece likee they have for the motorcycle. Has anyone used the motorcycle attachment and whats pro/cons ?

 

[dfkrug]

Has anyone used the motorcycle attachment and whats pro/cons ?

I have not used the M/C adapter. Many M/C wheels have only a 5/8"
axle, so it would have to fit that. For M/Cs, I have always used small
aluminum manual tire "irons" to avoid marring the rims.

 

[texasjohn]

yep, bent the bar. did it on 16 inch trailer/pickup tires/rims....
yep, the bead breaker is flimsy...those arms/bars on it bent as well. this has been discussed on another thread

glad y'all have found it useful for your needs...

Yes, I'd recommend having an additional two tire spoons and a buddy to help with the tire, along with slippy goo to help things along...

YES...am embarrassed to admit I DID read the instructions ... however it didn't help

 

[Soundguy]

wow, and I've been using it to break down really stuck tractor tires too.

happy as a clam with mine.. way glad I got it.

maybee they have beefed it up recently.

I came nowhere close to damaging the bead breaker and i was hanging on the end of the rod bouncing up and down on it for a while on them dern stuck tube style beads.

soundguy

 

[mrpoppy58]

I bought one from T.S.C. and I really like It.
Poppy

 

[Soundguy]

are they carrying them now? none of the 4 stores around me carry them. got a link or a part number? I'd like to see if they use the same model or a different one.

soundguy

 

[mrpoppy58]

Soundguy,
I got Mine from the T.S.C. store in Pikeville Ky. The catalog no. is1000142. I hope this helps. P.S. You have been a great help to Me with My 8n. Thank You
Poppy

 

[drizler]

A friend of mine got one a couple months ago. For the money it's super. surprisingly the thing works darned well as long as you don't expect the speed of a commercial rig. Still we popped the goodyear tires off my trailer that had been on there since 90 pretty easily even though one needed the help of the backhoe since it was there and handy. Mounting was a snap . With the outrageous prices they charge to mount tires the last couple years this thing is very handy. He did slightly shape the egdes of the spoons smoother with a grinder so they worked better, just a tad rough. His is just mounted on a pallet currently and amazingly still works decently. This is definitely one of HF's better deals and the quality of everything including the welds is decent. :thumbsup: