Harbor Freight Mini Tire Changer

[SnowRidge]

After experimenting with all kinds of wheels on the front of my brush cutter and finish mower, I decided to go back to the plain bearing one piece OEM wheels on the brush cutter, but with tubed tires. Unfortunately, I find that trying to stretch those tiny donuts over fat four inch rims is near impossible without some sort of tool.

Not too long ago, I came across one of these on sale at Harbor Freight. On a whim, I picked it up hoping it would be useful. It turned out to be great for breaking down the PT-425 wheels, something I had been using my Branson's loader for. Recently, I tried it on the mower caster wheels and found that it works there too, especially if you use the inverted cone to help lever the tire onto the rim.

Anyway, they have them on sale from time to time, and I think they are a good tool to have if you own a Power Trac. Besides, they are cheap, so I thought I would mention it.

 

[SpringHollow]

Thanks for the post!

I never noticed the mini one. I purchased the full size one from Harbor Freight to change the 1850's tires.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I have not opened it yet. Does anyone know if it works for the PT tractor tires (I believe mine are 12" rims)? Or should I replace it for the mini one which takes less space also?

Is the ATV bead breaker/roller necessary or deireable?
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Are these needed?
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Thanks,

Ken

 

[ponytug]

Dear Ken,

I haven't done it on mine yet, but after years of doing this on car tires, a 21" handle trying to open a 12" rim, isn't going to be easy, since you are only going to have 9" of tool beyond the rim. More to the point, you will lose a great deal of the leverage you would have on a smaller tire. I'd stick with your larger one.

The mini comes with a bead breaker tool, so unless your minis have bead locks, you can probably get by without it.

The tire spreader is nice for patching tubless tires from the inside, and tubed tires that have a crack in rubber, which will eat away at the tube if it unpatched. (Lesson learned the hard way.)

Whether you need a tool caddy is up to you...

My take: Manhandling tires on and off of rims is never easy; tools make it easier, powered tools make it even easier. So, I think it comes down to how easy does it have to be for you? If I did this for a living, I would have a few more tools (powered!) to do the work, but I don't.

One can pop a tire on and off a rim with a tire iron, although the bead will be in better shape if you have a spud or a spade blade on it. Everything else just makes it easier, and I bet the minitires are worse than a full size because it is so hard to get a good grip on the rim.

This brings back memories of fighting with evil substandard tires with beads smaller than the spec. (Not in the US...)

All the best,

Peter

Thanks for the post!
...
Is the ATV bead breaker/roller necessary or deireable?
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Are these needed?
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Thanks,

Ken

 

[SpringHollow]

Thanks Peter. So the tool holder is just a place to store your tools? I thought maybe it was a place to attach the tire iron to give more leverage.

Ken

 

[SnowRidge]

Everything else just makes it easier, and I bet the minitires are worse than a full size because it is so hard to get a good grip on the rim.

So true. BTW, I used Murphys Oil Soap as a bead lubricant. Works real well and is vegetable based, so it won't attack the rubber.

 

[ponytug]

I second that. It is great stuff for getting tires on (and off).

(what happened to your avatar?)

All the best,

Peter

So true. BTW, I used Murphys Oil Soap as a bead lubricant. Works real well and is vegetable based, so it won't attack the rubber.

 

[SnowRidge]

(what happened to your avatar?)

If you mean the old one, she is just too cute. Doesn't resemble me a bit.

 

[ponytug]

Ken,

I don't own either, but if you look at the two photographs;
Tire Changer

Tool Holder for tire changer

I think that the tool holder appears to be the pieces of pipe in the lower right hand corner. (Including what looks like a bead lubricant holder...)

Might be worth it, might not, but probably not essential to operation.

All the best,

Peter

Thanks Peter. So the tool holder is just a place to store your tools? I thought maybe it was a place to attach the tire iron to give more leverage.

Ken