How do i get a 3.50-4.00 x 9 caster tire on the wheel?

sixdogs · Jun 21, 2012

Cyclone Jake said:
I needed new front caster tires for my F525. I ended up buying a solid tire and wheel assembly for about $25 each. The cost of a tire and mounting really wasn't that much less.

Its not JD yellow, but I won't have to worry about it ever going flat.

Where did you buy this? I didn't see that as a choice anywhere. All I found were the tires.

Cyclone Jake · Jun 30, 2012

sixdogs said:
Where did you buy this? I didn't see that as a choice anywhere. All I found were the tires.

Sorry it took me a while to reply. I bought them from Northern Tool.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422243_200422243

sixdogs · Jun 30, 2012

Impressive, and the hub looks like it would fit. Thanks.

Cyclone Jake · Jun 30, 2012

sixdogs said:
Impressive, and the hub looks like it would fit. Thanks.

They fit fine on my F525, but I did shim them with washers to keep centered as there was a little slop. The hub doesn't have the highest quality of bearings but I figured I could replace someday. Marathon actually has several different hub sizes available with this size tire.

rswyan · Jul 2, 2012

sixdogs said:
..... but it's so awkward to handle and so slippery to mount that I need some sort of machine to mount the tire or I need to know the secret. Anyone ever mount a small and stiff caster tire to the wheel? How on earth do you so it?

I have three to do (two 4.10/3.50-4's and a 13 x 5.00-6) .... tomorrow I'm picking up one of these:

Harbor Freight: ATV, Golf Cart, & Mini Tire Changer

I'll let ya know how it works out ....

sixdogs · Jul 3, 2012

Very interesting mini tire changer. Let us know how it works.

oldyellr · Jul 6, 2012

zzvyb6 said:
The 'secrets' are to use the axle bolt in the vice (as mentioned already, use dish soap to lube the bead area, two large dull flathead screw drivers for the bead lifting levers, and two vice grips to keep the bead in place at the wheel locations you just pulled it over. Those are drop center wheels, so you need to keep the opposite side bead area in the drop center well.

That's exactly how I've done it. It still takes a long time and is hard work. I also use full size tire irons and a pair of motorcycle and bicycle ones. However, I haven't managed it without putting dents in the rim bead because they just don't make them out of very thick steel.