Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I've got to change several sets of tires on the 6" and 8" rims on snowblowers. BMF screwdrivers seem a little rough on the bead.
But none of the auto shops I've been to carry any, especially those OPE size. Nor does the lawn mower / snowblower dealer.

I was thinking perhaps an ATV dealer would have them? Any suggestions for size or type?

TIA

I've just taked big flathead screwdrivers and ground the head round. I wouldn't know what to do either, that's why I did this, works though. LOL

GM,
BMF screwdrivers are what I use. (actually 1 BMF and 1 MMF screwdriver.)
I have some old "spoons" from my motorcycle days....but they tend too be too fat too work on the smaller rims.
I also use a vise-grip plier too hold one side down (on the lip of the rim.) while I work the screwdrivers.....and soapy water or WD. (Getting them on.)
If you are doing tubeless tires, make sure you clean up the rim with a wire brush or wheel.
Camel makes a good rim sealer that you can apply with a brush...and you can get it at most auto supply places. It's cheap...and worth the expense.
Snow tires usually arent that hard too get too seat...but some ope tires are...wheel barrow tires are the worst!
There are manual tire jigs for ope stuff...but the cost may be prohibitive. (Rotary, Stens or Oregon?) They arent really all that great too use.
If you are doing tubed tires...there is always a danger of pinched tubes.....
Sometimes its just not worth the hassle...and most shops dont charge that much too do it. (Is 12 bucks considered a lot?)
Depending on  the wheel and rim...some can be real easy....and some can be a total PIA. Good luck with yours.

The new Snow hog tires can be run tubeless. the old tires had tubes.  What's the advantage of  no tubes on a snowblower? I already have tubes for the 6" wheels but have not purchased  the 8" tires yet. The rims are standard Ariens rims. They are nice and smooth after their cleanup.

Wrapping the tire with a rope, or better a ratcheting tie down around the middle will help seat the stubborn ones. Especially if your compressor is pressure challenged, like mine.
Anyone use Slime or equilivent?

I think any time you can run a tubeless tire on anything is the better way too go.
On OPE stuff...one of the problems that arises is that most of the stuff we use sits for 6 months of the year and just naturally loses air.
Nobody really seems too be that concerned with air pressure in thier tires on this stuff. They just fire up thier machines and off they go.
With snowblowers...they have stiff tires...they look like they have air in them....and guys just go with what they look like.
That causes a problem with tubed tires. The tires spin....and the tubes stay where they are....the valve stems take a beating.
On summer equiptment....punctures are a more common problem...when you puncture a tire...you also puncture the tube. (It's a lot easier too put a rawhide plug in a tubeless tire than it is too replace the tube.)
It seems too me that alot of tubeless tires wind up with tubes in them because its harder too seat the rims than it is too stick a tube in the tire. (That's what a lot of guys do when they can't get them too seat on the rim.)
I am old school...putting tubes in tubless tires is cheating.....but then I am a stubborn old SOB that has been known too spend 3 hrs of shop time trying too get a tire too seat. (A can of ether and a match school kinda guy.)
I dont know if there are any tricks too Ariens tires or not? (We are not an ariens dealer.) Perhaps Ariens guys have thier own tricks. I'm just speaking too OPE tires in general. They can be a PIA.

How is the ether and match method? 
I wonder if the tubeless tires ever loose the flat spot they are supposed to get when sitting for an extended period of time, if they will ever ride the same. 

AJ,
Ether and Match Method.
You lay the wheel on the ground, spray the inside of the tire with ether starting fluid, lite a match and toss it into the tire and run like a bunny.
When the ether ignites you get a nice little explosion that expands the tire outward and onto the rim seat.
There are a lot of "depends" involved with this.....Temperature...wind....how much ether is too much....how accurate can you throw a match and from how far away.
You cant use rim sealer...(cause it catches on fire). You have too use the right ether....(that can catch on fire too.) You have too have the air chuck handy...and get it on the stem in a hurry.
Disclaimer: Kids....dont try this at home!
It is only meant too be done by professional burnouts that have no concern for thier personal saftey.
Here is a demo for a proper bead seater.....video ......Click on the second product demo and crank up the sound.

If you go tubeless does the stem just push through from the back?

Garandman wrote:
Yep.

That's way too cool.  Practically instant.      I never knew there was any thing like this out on the market. 

Outfits like Northern Tool have a "Mini tire Changer" for about $40. Anyone try one? I have three sets of tires to mount/demount so it would pay just about for itself.

Do tire shops change OPE tires or do I have to take it to an OPE delaer?

I took my front OPE tires with the rim still on it to the local tire service they had new tires 2 days later. 

G.
I have one of those tire machines.
I cant really tell from the picture.....but I think the one I use is a a little bit more heavy duty. (I could be wrong.)
I does work ok for breaking down beads...especially on rims that have a shallow well.
It also helps on the smaller b*stard rims (3"-4") (The small ones can be the toughest.) Sometimes if you can clamp a vise grip on the rim...you can "pull" and "turn" the tire onto the rim.
As far as using the "mounting bar thing" , I seldom use it...it just doesnt work that great on most tires and rims. (I wind up using screwdrives and WD, even when its mounted in the tire machine.)
There is no "easy" way too do tires. Some times you get lucky...and they are a piece of cake. Most of the time....they are just wrestling matches.
The 6" and 8" sizes that you are dealing with...are usually the easiest.
Why not just try the screwdrivers first? If you bend the lip of the rim you can bend them back with some vise grips. (Just dont go nuts with the bending.)
Many tire stores will mount tires for ope. (Around here they do.)
We get lots and lots of tires half mounted on rims....give it a try and if you succeed...good for you...
If you dont.....oh well...you wont be the first. Good luck.

The rear tires on riding mowers sometimes get soo stuck on the axle that you have to cut them off.  Especially the MTD ones it seems. 

I just bought two 14" tire irons as they're handy to have anyway.

Do you buy stems at an auto parts store? I'll give tubeless a try since I have six months before the snow flies......

Ah, only 6 more months and snow will be here.  I'll enjoy summer first. 

I bought two 14" tire irons on eBay for $16. Got the tire off in about 30 seconds without tearing into the bead. They work well.

Check out WWW.Harborfreight.com

Small tire changer for under $40.00 with tire tool's

Idem # 34552