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

Sun Jul 25 18:16:35 PDT 2004

Lane,

I really don't know about the danger, but it seems harmless enough to me.
I'm only guessing, but I think the danger is greatly over blown.  I've not
been able to find out how much maximum pressure can be developed by the
ignition, but I suspect it is much less than a tire or rim can stand.  Maybe
someone like Steve O. knows.

Here's what I have done.  Shoot a little more ether into the tire than you
would use to start an engine.  With the valve core removed and a clip-on
tire chuck connected, stand safely aside and wave a lit propane torch near
the opening.  If enough ether is inside with the air, it will give a gentle
"whump" and the bead will be seated, and the air already flowing from the
chuck will begin the inflation.  Immediate inflation is very important
before the gasses have time to cool.  If too little ether is present, the
bead won't be seated, and if too much there won't be enough oxygen to burn
it.  If too little is used and the bead isn't seated, it will be necessary
to purge the products of combustion before another attempt.

George Willer

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lane Freeman" <lmfree at ptd.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2004 8:03 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] How to seat the bead on lawn tractor tires?

> George, I've been hearing about the ether method and understand it needs
to
> be done correctly or it can be dangerous.  Can you explain exactly how it
> should be done.  I've had my share of wrestling with beads over the years
> and mostly used a 10,000lb ratchet strap but the ether method sounds like
> something I need to learn.
> Inquiring minds want to know!!
>
> Lane Freeman
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "George Willer" <gwill at toast.net>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2004 7:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [AT] How to seat the bead on lawn tractor tires?
>
>
> > Larry,
> >
> > I think you've just been lucky.  You haven't had to inflate  a 12 ply
tire
> > that has sat flat for a few months on a loaded dozer trailer that's in a
> > position that makes jacking or removal impossible.  (within 3" of a
wall)
> > You haven't lived until you've inflated one of the badly distorted stiff
> > ones.  No amount of strapping or sealer or other gadgets will help.
> That's
> > the time to learn about the ether method.  It saved the day.  A gentle
> > "whump" and it was ready to inflate.
> >
> > George Willer
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Larry D. Goss" <rlgoss at evansville.net>
> > To: "'Antique tractor email discussion group'"
> > <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> > Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2004 5:54 PM
> > Subject: RE: [AT] How to seat the bead on lawn tractor tires?
> >
> >
> > > I used to have those problems before I discovered that bead sealer
takes
> > > most of the work out of that job.  On occasion, I need to use some
sort
> > > of rope or ratchet hold down or what have you to expand the bead a
bit,
> > > but the liquid bead sealer bridges across the gap well enough that I
> > > just don't seem to have to fight that problem any more.  Maybe I've
just
> > > been lucky.
> > >
> > > Larry
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> > > [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Matthew
> > > Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 7:57 AM
> > > To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
> > > Subject: [AT] How to seat the bead on lawn tractor tires?
> > >
> > > 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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