Another Flat Tire Problem v.2

mcnitt · Dec 15, 2009

A rear tire on my GL3430 went flat as I was pushing some snow around. I filled it with air, but it went immediately flat again. It appears the valve stem is coming out of the rim hole. Air and balast fluid were coming out from around it as well as several places around the rim.

Is there a way for me to break the bead on the tire without specialized tools in order to get a new valve stem in there with the tire still on the tractor? I don't have a trailer to take it to get it fixed, and I couldn't handle the wheel and tire by myself. Plan B is to find someone to come to the site and fix it. I'm thinking that will be costly.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

alchemysa · Dec 16, 2009

I've never seen one let alone used one, and I have no idea of how much, or where you would get one, but...
Stride Tool Inc. - Imperial® Newest Products

And a little extra reading if you are interested..
Valve stem problem

nh DRAGON · Dec 16, 2009

If air is coming out from around the wheel then the bead should be broken. Just take the wheel off and place it flat on its back and stand on the inside of the tire next to the wheel to open up the bead. Cut the old valve stem out with a razor blade and install new with Valve tool. Then you will need a strap or air curtain to inflate. Also help to seat if you put some grease around the wheel where the tire seat groove is.

nh DRAGON · Dec 16, 2009

If bead is not already broken-You can put the wheel on the ground infront of your tractor and break the bead with the FEL. Just be careful not to bent the wheel!

bp fick · Dec 16, 2009

To answer the OP's question, I would doubt my ability to break the bead while the tire is still on the tractor. Some mobile repair guys have some tricks, but they are unknown to me.

Replacing a valve stem is a pretty simple, easy, straightforward deal with a valve stem puller and they aren't expensive. The tough part for you will be getting a buddy to help you get that tire on the ground and back on afterwards, or simply call a mobil repair truck as you mentioned.

spectre520 · Dec 16, 2009

I had much the same happen to me this fall. I went out one morning, saw a low tire (rear and loaded with some sort of vile molasses and water concoction). After positioning the valve stem at the top of the wheel I tried to unscrew the cap and was greeted with a mist of air and sticky. I was luckily able to just push in the cap and valve stem to staunch the flow until I could remove the wheel and tire. Heavy things too I might add.
I was able to lay it flat on the ground, and after I removed the offending cap and core I was able to break the tire bead loose with a few well placed blows of a hammer and a very wide tire tool. Once the tire bead was broken loose I could still wiggle the new stem into the rim without losing any fluid. Pulling it into place with a set of pliers.
Since the fuid doesn't promote rust and seemed to actually lubricate, it was easy to break it loose. I even did the other side as a preventaive measure........

mcnitt · Dec 16, 2009

Thanks for all your comments. Alchemysa- The valve stem article was outstanding! And I wrote to the company to find out where to get the stem insertion tool.

Thanks Again

TRACTORMAN-DOWN · Dec 17, 2009

Hi it sounds like your tire have been filled for counter weight and you have to drain it or get a tire shop to pump it out unless you have lost all of that which if you did then you can take it off the tractor, if you do that only jack it so you can just see day light under it and use a bar to work the tire and rim off , keep it standing up and use a small trailer or some thing so you can roll it up on and block it up donn't lay it down , you could use your bucket to load it to just be careful with it .