Print

[MerrellRoofing]

My cuttin buddies skid steer has two flat front tires. It has rubber tracks over the tires. His track-stretching tool is broke. We could get the tire off, but if we did we couldn't get it back on. We tried straps, we made a few attempts of ether but no luck. Looking for any suggestions. Maybe it is just a case of MORE ETHER!

[Log hog]

 Foam fill. It's the way to go in my opinion.  Would a come along help to stretch the tracks or a few comealongs?

[Big Wood]

Its cold out use more ether

[CRJR]

Are you trying to seat the tire bead ? Or just removing the tire to get it fixed?

[willieG]

don't know if this is a help or not. In the old days when we were clearing land with them little 8 and 9 N fords we changed the rims and put tubeless tires one the front and put a can of corn syrup in each one. the thorns would penetrate the tires but the corn syrup would plug em up and we would just add air once or twice a week.  Now adays I think they use that "green slime" stuff to do the same thing. something like this might get you by until you can get a proper fix?

[CRJR]

If you are just trying to seat the bead I assume that's what you are trying to do because of the mention of either. Take a tube of grease gun grease squeeze it out on your hands and pack it between the bead and the rim remove the valve core then blow it up with air once the bead seats install the core and inflate

[mlappin]

Well, I could post several videos from Youtube about the hazards of using ether to seat tires, but instead I'll make two suggestions.

1: if tubeless tires are something you or your friend plan on fixing quit often, do it right and get a Cheetah.

2: if it's a once in a great while thing, instead of using "grease" go to a good auto parts store and buy a tub of "tire" lube, if it's the good stuff it will be as thick or thicker than grease gun grease. Pack the bead with it then scrape off and place it back in the tub, if its the good stuff it will prevent the rim from rusting and make the tire easier to get off next time.


Cheetah tire seater, bought one our selves and have used it on everything from a lawn mower tire, semi tires and a 20.8x42 tubeless tractor tire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_VC8YeFHL8

[MerrellRoofing]

   The tires are good. He ripped of a valve stem while moving wood. When it ripped off he had a big oak log in his grapple bucket. The other tire couldn't hold and POOF...2 flat tires.
   He has a tiger tank. It worked once before, but it was much warmer out. And we're having trouble getting the beads close enough to hold any air at all(I'm talking 4 finger gap, like this girl I once knew)
  Packing it with grease might be a good one. The weight of the track pushes the tire off center.
  I told him to fill them with foam, he looked at me like I was stupid.  He's gonna check the bobcat dealer for a rent-a-tool.

[slimjim]

There must be a master link on the track, can you pull the track first?

[Bud Man]

Fix or buy the tool to remove the track then fix the tire. I would like to have my neighbor get on here and tell you about the dangers of using ether to seat a tire bead, but, he is dead because he used ether to seat a tire bead. THINK! A few bucks or dead. What is the best option?

[MerrellRoofing]

We fixed the tool and made it work. Safety 1st prevailed. The tiger tank did the trick with the wheel laying flat.

[slimjim]

Great point Bud Man, We had a semi tire explode inside a truck bay about 25 years ago, luckily nobody was really hurt, I still can't hear well and it almost set the shop on fire, I don't use ether any more, anybody who has ever seen one blow up would be a fool to ever try it again!

[Bud Man]

Thanks Merrell. Too often we don't stop and think about what might happen when we get in a hurry or try to save a few bucks.