A Sad Reminder

[Arbo]

Some condone it, some condemn it. A lot have done it...


MAINVILLE A farmer and longtime janitor at Beaver-Main Elementary School in Columbia County was killed Monday when a skid-steer tire exploded as he and his son attempted to mount the tire using highly flammable ether. The Press Enterprise reports, the tire exploded off its metal rim, launching the rim into the face of 61-year-old Jim Shuman, killing him instantly. Shuman's son, Josh Shuman, was also knocked unconscious and injured. He was taken to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he was listed in serious condition. The incident happened just after four p.m. at his farm along West Maple Lane, about a mile off Mainville Drive between Mainville and Bloomsburg.

 

[MHarryE]

Incredible number of You Tube videos on the subject, some where everything comes out fine and many with serious results. Especially bad when used on an older tire that may have some flammable powder in the tire that also ignites.

 

[tcartwri]

This is unfortunately a possible result of watching mythbusters do this stunt. Where they injected literally an entire can of ether into a tire to try and mount and inflate a tire.

The idea is to just pop the tire up onto the bead, using a 'whiff' of ether in the tire and igniting it remotely.

Please do not try this without having someone demonstrate it to you.

 

[rsewill]

This is unfortunately a possible result of watching mythbusters do this stunt. Where they injected literally an entire can of ether into a tire to try and mount and inflate a tire.

The idea is to just pop the tire up onto the bead, using a 'whiff' of ether in the tire and igniting it remotely.

Please do not try this without having someone demonstrate it to you.

Agreed. This is not something you hear about and try. It is more an art than a science. I do it but only as a last resort.

 

[pat32rf]

While I have seen many videos of it being done and imagine that its safe if done properly, I always seem to find my ratchet strap and can of bead sealer before I locate a can of ether...Never needed to look farther.

 

[Taylortractornut]

It can happen but Ive done it hundreds probably thousands of times an It it can get hairy. Whats bad is folks stand right in front of the tire when doing it. THats what gets you. I had a tire launch one time it was seated on the front but not the back. SOme one before had tried to ether it and didnbt light it. I gave it a tiny squirt and then lit my stream and it left. I made sure to make everyone leave the area or stand to the side.


Some times folks als will spray a tire espacially if its flat on the ground and the ether will just burn. We ether take a stick or tire hammer and tap the side wall. They leave ether still in the tire then attac the air hose and the sudden shot of air will cause the tire to pop.

 

[Deano]

Had a tire shop do it when I needed a tire change on the side of a highway...all I could say was "holy crap!"

Deano

 

[MHarryE]

It is entertaining to look through the many You Tube videos on this subject. On many of course it works, but it is much more entertaining to see front ends of pickups blown up, tires shredded, and people staggering around dazed. Some of the best are the ones who give it a little ether at first and it doesn't work, so then they spray in a lot of ether. Talking with an attorney about ridiculous lawsuits, he told me it's surprising how many of the people who do this, or surviving relatives of those people, sue. He never lost a case to someone who sued but the companies he represented had to pay him.

 

[Mace Canute]

It can happen but Ive done it hundreds probably thousands of times an It it can get hairy........

Had a tire shop do it when I needed a tire change on the side of a highway...all I could say was "holy crap!"

Deano

It boggles the mind why professional people wouldn't use the proper equipment to seat a bead on recalcitrant tires.

 

[jonyyuma]

I could not get my mower tire to inflate, even using the belt and or the rope method. I gave it a stiff spray of starter fluid and lit it off. It poped right back on the bead. But to use a entire can or fill it with fluid? NO way??