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

[Clint D]

Charlie

I remember these being used when I was a teen and worked at service
stations, but I have not seen one used for many years, don't know why???

Lately I have been using a come a long around the tires


Clint




> 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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