[AT] How to seat the bead on lawn tractor tires?

[pga2 at hot1.net]

Charlie,
These went the way of the Dodo bird when OSHA came along. Seems that they put
them in the same category as split rims.

Phil

> Holy cats, guys.  Before we lose a valuable A.T.I.S. list member to an
> uncontrolled explosion, does anyone know if bead expanders are still
> available.  As I recall, in the last century (1959 or so), that is what I
> used when pumping up new mounts at the new car dealership where I worked.
> If I remember correctly, there was a flat strap about 1/4 of the way around
> where the adjustment was made for tire diameter. The rest was what was
> probably an inflatable hose, wrapped with a woven nylon material, and having
> a valve stem into it.  The unit is put around the center of the tire tread
> and adjusted snug.  Air is pumped into the valve stem on the unit to cause
> the hose portion to pull in on the tire evenly all the way around, pushing
> the beads to the rim.  Tire usually takes inflation the first try.  As soon
> as the beads seal, expander must be deflated and removed, so it doesn't
> become overstreached and go flying into left field.  Perhaps our resident
> tire dealer will know where these can be purchased.  I can't guess about the
> cost in this day and age, but will try to google it.
>
> Charlie V.