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

[CEE VILL]

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.


>From: Matthew <matthewx at dogod.com>
>Reply-To: Antique tractor email discussion group 
><at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
>Subject: [AT] How to seat the bead on lawn tractor tires?
>Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 08:57:11 -0400
>
>I just got a pair of old lawn tractors (Ariens Emperors) and the tires are
>pretty dry rotted on them.  These things are built solid as a rock so I am
>in the process of restoring them back to running condition.
>
>I put a new rear tire on one of them, and it turned out to be a most of the
>afternoon project.  Getting the old tire off, and the new one on was easy
>enough.  Getting the bead started was the fly in the ointment.
>
>I started with crossing my fingers and hoping that my compressor would
>blast it hard enough to get both sides to catch.  Not a chance.
>
>Next, I tried a ratcheting tie down around the center to pull the beads 
>out.
>This looked like it was going to work, but you reach a point (before the
>bead starts to catch) where pulling the center in starts to pull the beads
>in too.
>
>Next, the pyro in me came out and I tried the gas trick.  I have had good
>results with this on car and cycle tires, but there is something bout the
>fat little tires that keeps it from getting a good pop..
>
>I resorted to beating on it with a mallet for a while.  It did no good, but
>I got some aggression out.
>
>In the end I got it, with a rope around it, and a bunch of sticks to twist
>the rope with.  As soon as the bead would start to cave in someplace, I 
>would
>loosen the whole thing up and stick a stick in that place and start over.  
>3
>or 4 sticks later and I was able to get just enough air in to get it to 
>seat.
>
>Once it is that far, you are home, but what a long, drawn out trip it was.  
>Is
>there an easier way to get these things to seat?
>
>--Matthew
>
>
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