Flat Front Tire on DK45

ritcheyvs · Oct 21, 2014

Ok, here's the (hopefully) final update. Yesterday I tried two cargo straps around the circumference to spread the tire beads. The tire almost held air but my air chucks only work with the Schrader valve installed so I couldn't get air into the tire fast enough as it leaked slowly at the rim. I took the tire to a tire shop today and they got it seated but they had to use an air blast bead-seater. This is a regular car tire place, not a place that usually does tractors. I previously had to use this air-blast method to install new tires on my riding mower. This air blast thing seemed pretty handy so I ordered one on ebay for about $60.

k0ua · Oct 23, 2014

Nothing better than having the correct tool for the job.

Patches · Oct 23, 2014

Think I might have acquired a new air chuck for $10/15; I hate those air chucks that work only against a valve core

Egon · Oct 23, 2014

Got the hole patched. Gotta be a reason it went flat.

ritcheyvs · Oct 24, 2014

Egon said:
Got the hole patched. Gotta be a reason it went flat.

I think a faulty valve stem caused the problem. The valve stem was totally missing when I realized the tire was flat (and unseated from the rim). I had it seated and filled to 30 PSI on Tuesday and it's still at 30 PSI after three days. I'm hopeful there is no other leak but I'll watch the tire pressure more often now. With fingers crossed.

o2batsea · Oct 31, 2014

A little starting fluid spray inside tire. Stand back and toss a match. PoP! Tire reseated.

ritcheyvs · Oct 31, 2014

o2batsea said:
A little starting fluid spray inside tire. Stand back and toss a match. PoP! Tire reseated.

I guess I'm chicken. Having had this problem before, I bought an air blast seater on ebay: New 5 Gallon Air Tire Bead Seater Blaster Tool Seating Inflator Truck ATV 145PSI | eBay

It seems to work OK but I had to replace the QD fill connector and the threads were not NTP standard. The gauge reads in something odd (not PSI or bar). The ball valve is only 1 inch (vs 1.5 on other models). But it will knock me over if I'm not braced when I throw the ball valve. So it looks like it'll do the job.

rd_macgregor · Nov 5, 2014

I've twice lost stems while working in the woods. I presume that, despite the metal stem protector, some debris managed to poke the stem hard enough to let it blow out. The last time this happened, I didn't notice until I had destroyed the tire...it doesn't take long!