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How to get a large tire back on the rim

AllDodge

AllDodge

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2011
Messages
2,578
Location
Kentucky
Have a Grove MZ66 manlift and over the winter a tire went flat and broke loose of the bead. It's a commercial tire about 3 ft high and 20 inch wide. Can get the actual tire size if that will help.

The think weights in around 32K LB. Used a 20 ton jack and brought it up and blocked it. Used a 2 inch ratchet strap around the middle, pounding tire with sledge hammer but so far no luck. Both sides are real close but not enough to start.

Thought about starting fluid but thinking that it would need more then just a little squirt to do much of anything, and kind of nervous about using a lot.
 
Welder Dave

Welder Dave

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Joined
Oct 11, 2014
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Canada
Need some Murphy's tire soap to pack around all the gaps. A fast fill air tank (bead blaster) also helps. The tire soap can be scooped up and reused. I watched a guy at a Goodyear commercial shop mount giant skidder tires. He threw handfuls of the tire soap in all the gaps and it was enough to hold the air till the tire grabbed the rim. After the beads seared he scooped up the tire soap and threw it back in the pail. It was fascinating to watch how easy he made it look. Used the truck crane to push the first side of the tire on the rim. Then he used about a 6' tire iron to put the tire the rest of the way on. Then he gobbed the Murphy's tire soap on.

I've seen a thin inner tube around the rim used too. I wonder if a piece of rope or hose might be enough to hold the air till the tire meets the rim?? Would probably want to put liquid soap on what ever you tried. A bigger air compressor certainly helps and take the valve core out to seat the beads.
 
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AllDodge

AllDodge

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Joined
Apr 2, 2011
Messages
2,578
Location
Kentucky
Thought about buying one of those and the 5 gal is about $60 and is ok, but use one time

Then thought the tire is so big it might need a larger one, then $100 to 500

Wonder if I could rent/borrow one from a local tire shop maybe
 
crane operator

crane operator

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Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
10,148
Location
sw missouri
AllDodge said:
Thought about buying one of those and the 5 gal is about $60 and is ok, but use one time

Then thought the tire is so big it might need a larger one, then $100 to 500

Wonder if I could rent/borrow one from a local tire shop maybe
Click to expand...
It would be cheaper to have the tire man come out, if its just a one time deal. I got a bead blaster a few years back, we often have to change tires when the tire shop isn't open. I won't do the big loader type tires on the big cranes, but just the semi truck sized tires, up to 445-425's floats.

I built my bead blaster out of a ball valve and a old portable air tank, and some pipe.
 
Welder Dave

Welder Dave

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Oct 11, 2014
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17,926
Location
Canada
If you're close the tire soap will work. There might be other tire mounting goop that is thick that would work.
 
D

DDoug

Formerly digger doug
Joined
Nov 2, 2011
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Location
NW Pennsylvania
Occupation
Thrash-A-Matic designer
AllDodge said:
Have a Grove MZ66 manlift and over the winter a tire went flat and broke loose of the bead. It's a commercial tire about 3 ft high and 20 inch wide. Can get the actual tire size if that will help.

The think weights in around 32K LB. Used a 20 ton jack and brought it up and blocked it. Used a 2 inch ratchet strap around the middle, pounding tire with sledge hammer but so far no luck. Both sides are real close but not enough to start.

Thought about starting fluid but thinking that it would need more then just a little squirt to do much of anything, and kind of nervous about using a lot.
Click to expand...
I am not one to take chances.

However a few times I was in your situation, and have used the ether trick.

Not much is needed.
Work your way up to how much is really needed.
Try a short burst, and see how it goes, if not enough, use a bit more.

One time i sprayed it in there, it did not go WOOF, and as I was mad, I kicked the tire....this let in some air and away it went, the ether then did it's job....

Yes to removing the valve core and applying a clip on tire chuck as well.
 
treemuncher

treemuncher

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Dec 31, 2006
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1,165
Location
West TN
Occupation
eatin' trees, poopin' chips
Not sure of the tire volume that you are dealing with but maybe this will give you an idea where to start if you decide to try the ether method. YOU are responsible for any attempts you make with this stuff - it is not a safe method if you don't have a clue. I watched a lot of videos to attempt to get an idea how and how much to use. My blast tank does not work well with larger tires so this method is my fall back.

When I was replacing my 28L-26 tires @ about 30-40 degrees F outside temp, I was using 1/4 can of starting fluid per tire to set. No major explosions, no failed sets. I suggest using a 10' ignition pole as I do to stay clear of the pop. I've met locals with missing digits because they set it off too close with a match! I use a lit rag tied onto the end of an old CB whip antenna for good clearance.

Short video here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/adzqjGkJeqkJEdSs7
 
T

terex herder

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2017
Messages
2,308
Location
Kansas
Much as I hate to say it, John Deere ether is the only stuff I've found that still works on tires. All the others have so much low flammability product they won't do tires. No Poof.

If you don't use enough you can always to it again. If you use to much, your heirs can call someone who has the right equipment.
 
colson04

colson04

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Apr 11, 2016
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2,891
Location
Delton, Michigan
It's about $60 for a 40 pound tub of the Murphys Tire & Tube Compund off Amazon. Pack the bead area, hit it with the air, scoop up the excess for a future use.

I've done the ether trick on tiny, lawn tractor tires and pretty big tires. Like Terex Herder said, start with a short blast and use a long ignitor like TreeMuncher recommends give yourself some distance.
 
eastroad

eastroad

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
145
Location
SW Vermont
We have used a bicycle tube to fill the gap. Clamp a pair of vice-grip pliers on the stem and yank all you can out when the bead starts to seat. What gets caught and left behind usually won’t bother anything. Use something like Murphy’s soap or some other pasty tire lube, too to help make it go easier. Have as big a volume of air available as you can, and pull the valve core out to give as much flow as possible.
We used to use go-jo hand cleaner (not the kind with grit in it) as a tire lube, but it’s petroleum based and doesn’t play well with rubber.
Best idea is to call the tire shop, and watch & learn how he does it.
 
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