Breaking Big Tire Beads

[Soundguy]

i agree....

I wouldn't want to beat on them on the tractor.. that would be like beating up my wheel bearings.. why would I want to do that?

soundguy

 

[tawilson]

I've got some 1" all thread and have had some luck cobbling up a clamp that I slip through the rim of the tire. A 3/4" pipe clamp fits the allthread pretty well so using a combination of the pipe clamp and the nut on the allthread pushing a 2x4 against the side of the tire I have broken some beads. One of these days I'll weld up something that will work even better, maybe.

 

[wedge40]

Unless it's way more expensive in your area.. I agree with having someone come out and do it for you.
Last year when I was adding fluid to my tires I managed to break the valve stem off one of tires. Called a local company that has a truck. They came out, removed and saved the fluid. Pulled the tube and put a new one in and then refilled the tire. $180.00. Best money I've spent in years.

Wedge

 

[mlauk]

I would get a Bead-Cheata, it will pay for itself, especially on a big tire.

 

[Kernopelli]

You got me on removing the rims I don't understand why you woulden't want to take them off use a 2x4 on tire and a loader to pop the bead (assuming you got a loader or hoe to do the job).

tom

I feel the same way, we had this conversation at work a couple of nights ago. One of the guys is putting new 18.4-38's on his JD 4430. He and the resident guru both contend that breaking the bead is easier while the wheel is still on the tractor than it is laying flat on the ground. The "guru" ( who is my best friend and has worked on equipment all over the world for over 40 yrs and I really respect him) says to use your hoe and gently coax the tire off the bead and use wedges if you can't reach inside. If you don't have a hoe, just use wedges, the point is, he thinks it is best to leave the wheel bolted up when breaking the bead. I can't for the life of me see how this would be easier. They both say that leaving the wheel mounted on the tractor is common and preferred. (???)

I have done a few 24" equipment tires and did them while laid flat on the ground and used a loader bucket against the bead/rim with success and once put a piece of cribbing on the tire like a ramp and backed a truck onto the tire and popped the bead. Both methods were relatively quick and painless. I can't fathom that this isn't easier than leaving them on. This is assuming you have a loader or backhoe to assist in removing the wheel from the tractor and breaking the bead. Both methods took a couple of tries but neither required swinging a hammer for all I was worth or much frustration.

I have also used the wedge method on smaller tires while on the ground and it is effective but I can't imagine doing 38's this way while still on the tractor. So back to the original question, my friends say whether you have to use wedges or you have access to a hoe and can feather the controls, do it while the tires are mounted. I say, take them off and use one of the methods I described. You know the old saying about opinions,"Everybody has one....

 

[woodchuckie]

I'm not recommending it but the times I've had a flat on the tractor and didn't notice it right away, there was no problem removing the tire from the rim. It came right off. Of course I had some dirt and mud to clean out before I could remount.
I use the FEL if the tire happens to be on the rim. Seems easy to me.

 

[Scotty370]

I'm just gonna sit back and watch for the "Starting Fluid" ignition 'seating method' when he's putting them back on ~Scotty

 

[tawilson]

Unless it's way more expensive in your area.. I agree with having someone come out and do it for you.
Last year when I was adding fluid to my tires I managed to break the valve stem off one of tires. Called a local company that has a truck. They came out, removed and saved the fluid. Pulled the tube and put a new one in and then refilled the tire. $180.00. Best money I've spent in years.

Wedge

The op wanted to clean, sand and paint the rims. I did the same to mine the last time I had the tire off. Can't do that with someone standing there waiting to put the tire on at whatever$/hour.

 

[bjr]

I a DIYer and like to save money to a ridulous point, but, tires will wear you out if you let them. Either take them off the tractor and to a Tractor Tire shop OR get the Bead Cheeta OR the slide hammer from Northern Tool and get some tire soap (tire and tube mounting compound) Murphys or whoever for installation. I've done all the above on various tire projects. bjr

 

[D7E]

I guess it isn't really cheap, but my choice is a slide-hammer bead breaker.

This is what i see most people use but we made a heavier one..!