Tool Talk

[Spud_Monkey]

I picked up a Harbor Freight special a month or so ago. The mini tire changer, on sale with a coupon for under $40. This thing is handy. Both front tires on my lawn tractor rotted out and seeped air through the sidewalls. I bought 2 new Carlisle lawn tires for $50 and finally found time to change them out this afternoon. Super simple. I watched a YouTube video on how to use it and had both tires changed out in under 30 minutes. I did have to use a shot of ether to set the beads but the task was a breeze overall. I got them back on the tractor just as the rain started coming down again.

Now to pickup new tires for my dad's golf cart. He drives it so much, the tires are showing cords. I also have 2 wheel Barrow tires to replace and a snowmobile dolly with a bad tire as well. Always something.

I wouldn't use a bead blaster or ether for the tires that small, a small ratchet strap or rope with a rod to tighten the rope wrapped around the tire tightened till it pushed the bead to the sidewall and air up.

 

[colson04]

After pumping up wheelbarrow tires about hundred times I put two solid tires on it.
That wasn't a typo. I bought some pencil rod and made a new axle and put 2 tires on it.
I should have done it a long time ago.

You have a picture of your setup?

 

[colson04]

I wouldn't use a bead blaster or ether for the tires that small, a small ratchet strap or rope with a rod to tighten the rope wrapped around the tire tightened till it pushed the bead to the sidewall and air up.

I tried that today and the beads kept smushing inwards, away from the bead seat on the wheel. I said phoney, grabbed the ether and gave it a shot and lit with the torch. Worked great on both and was faster then putting the strap around it. Normally, small tires like that will seat easily without any persuasion, but these two tires didn't want to cooperate today.

 

[colson04]

I tried changing my garden tractor front tires without one last year. It turned into a real poop show....I ended up buying the tire changer and it's an amazing tool. It makes tire changes a breeze and I smile everytime I use the tractor without having to inflate the tires first.

I crushed the rim on a lawn tractor trailer this past spring trying to pry off the bead to replace a tube. It was just a thin piece of stamped sheet metal and any side pressure crumpled it. I replaced both of those tires with a flat free wheel combo. Now I don't have to worry about that trailer.

 

[Flat Thunder Channel]

I think the flat free pneumatic style / looking tires are great replacements. I installed a few on my small generator last year.

No more tiny tires popping off the bead!

 

[wlhequipment]

Something I thought I would never buy because it was too expensive, but I now can’t live without is a Milwaukee cordless fluid transfer pump. Makes changing hydraulic fluid a breeze!

 

[Flat Thunder Channel]

I have a few new tools. Most recently I installed a new regulator/gage set on my set of torches. I saw these while on a job site and I needed a new set. I opted for the same model because it is made in USA! Harris branded #Merica

 

[Flat Thunder Channel]

By far the best tool addition to the garage....My PK12000 Palfinger Knuckle boom crane! She's still a work in progress, but temporarily mounted and putting in work. Videos are up on the channel if anyone's interested in learning more about the shenanigans.

 

[colson04]

I'd love to have a crane like that, so useful for so many things.

 

[Tyler d4c]

My little crane is quite handy also.

 

[westerner]

That is not a little crane, and the handiness goes without saying

 

[chidog]

Crane ? What will it lift? There is no counter weight ! Nice idea otherwise. Looks very easy to tip over.

 

[Tyler d4c]

Crane ? What will it lift? There is no counter weight ! Nice idea otherwise. Looks very easy to tip over.

I believe it's rated to pick 3000 pounds has outriggers on it. It is plenty stable

 

[CM1995]

I'd love to have a crane on the yard like that. We have a Gradall 534 that's handy as a shirt pocket sometimes but that crane is the ticket.

 

[Truck Shop]

Better watch out there Tyler your crowding in on C.O's territory--with all that crane action.

 

[Tyler d4c]

Better watch out there Tyler your crowding in on C.O's territory--with all that crane action.

Thats just my home owner one the HEF union may start after me if I post up the 15 ton

 

[Truck Shop]

 

[Welder Dave]

Have never seen a vice like that before. Pretty cool.

 

[92U 3406]

I could use one of those! Much more practical than a straight jaw vice.

 

[DIYDAVE]

Sure would be easier to just spot weld the item you're working on to a set of sacrificial jaws on a standard vice... Man sure has a lot more patience than I do!!!