Best tool to raise and hold tire to install

soloz2

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Equipment
B2601
Feb 10, 2023
81
77
18
WNY
Alright, I installed 2” spacers and tire chains on my rear wheels of my B2601 over the weekend and I quickly realized this was a PITA and a two person job that meant I was trying to hold the tire so my wife could get a couple of the lug bolts started. I’m still sore from doing this.
So, I’d like to get a sense of what others use. I was thinking maybe a farm jack, construction jack, toe jack, or an air bladder jack to help raise and hold the tire at the correct height. I realize the obvious answer is a second tractor, but I don’t need or have the $ for that. So baring a second loader what do you guys use?
 

85Hokie

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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
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Secret #1 if you do not have the other means of holding up heavy tire.

Before jacking the frame up to remove the tire - jack it up ONLY enough to allow the tire to tilt towards you, so basically the tire is just touching the ground. Roll the tire left or right enough to get out of the way, then carefully roll it back - in a perfect world the bolts should line back up, and when they do not a little wiggle will get them close enough to tilt back to the studs.
 
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soloz2

Member

Equipment
B2601
Feb 10, 2023
81
77
18
WNY
Secret #1 if you do not have the other means of holding up heavy tire.

Before jacking the frame up to remove the tire - jack it up ONLY enough to allow the tire to tilt towards you, so basically the tire is just touching the ground. Roll the tire left or right enough to get out of the way, then carefully roll it back - in a perfect world the bolts should line back up, and when they do not a little wiggle will get them close enough to tilt back to the studs.
Makes sense. I ended up using scrap wood to get as close as I could, but then ended up raising or lowering the rear of the tractor a bit to get things better lined up. I still had to hold the tire though.

side note, I bought a Daytona Super Duty jack over the summer and this was the first time I had a chance to use it. Super nice! Next time they are on sale go grab one. I saw they have a new metallic green color that’s really nice. Mine is candy apple red. I didn’t take a picture of it in use, but here it is in the packaging.
 

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D2Cat

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GreensvilleJay

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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,
Apr 2, 2019
13,410
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2nd what 85H said.... dang 1/4 century changing 14.9x26 loaded tires all by myself is quite doable. 'just' off the ground ,no more than an inch works fine. The fronts for the forklift were a challenge though. made a 'cradle' like the brick/block delivery trucks have. Once shimmed it was super easy as I removed tire/rim/brake drum as a unit and it needed to go back on perfectly straight,plumb, true AND lined up with the pinion gear....
 

WI_Hedgehog

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BX2370 (impliment details in my Profile->About)
Apr 24, 2024
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I change wheels on my BX frequently, and see you have a B so the same very fast method I use should work for you.

Changing between Turf, Industrial, and Ag plus/minus two sets of 2" spacers means the height has to be at least enough to get the current wheels off and replacement wheels on, so there's not really "get it just off the ground and good" situation, and there are typically 3x the rear nuts as just a wheel swap.

I lift the front off the ground with the Front End Loader, then jack up the back at the point of the ball hitch mount, getting all 4 wheels off the ground at once and keeping the tractor stable as the FEL attachment doesn't allow the tractor to rock.

I sit on a rolling seat at about the right height by the front wheel. An air impact gets the lug nuts off fast into a plastic container to keep them clean and undamaged. Lift it off and lay it down, then roll to the rear wheel and rattle-gun it loose. I use my toes to lift the wheel and pry it toward me, then set it down standing upright. The front wheel is light to pick up vs. the rear, I carry both to storage and return with a front and rear wheel.

I roll the rear wheel into place, relatively, trying to make sure the lugs and holes line up and put a torque limiter on the impact wrench.

I sit down and roll the rear wheel over my toes (steel toe boots help as the toes aren't mushy) so I get the right height and hole position, walk my foot over, then use both feet to position the wheel. I hand start the lug nuts with both hands, then set the impact gun on low and rattle on nuts 1, 3, 5, and 2, then turn up the air half way and put on 4, then tighten 1, 3, 5, then turn the air to full and tighten 2, 4, 1, 3, 5 with a 2-second burst. With torque stick the lugs are generally tight the first time, on a truck/car I'd keep going around until the nuts stopped tightening.

I move to the front wheel and do the same. Then move to the other side, pull the wheels, and repeat the process. Economy of motion is important because I'll do this (plus spacers) to swap between a lawn setup and woods configuration in the same day, and with greasing the FEL, possibly swapping the bucket for grapple, and mounting a chipper (then loading it with saw equipment) I could spend a whole lot of time not getting jobs done.



---WHY:
It's fast and easy. There are fewer tools to get out/put away, less stuff to buy, store, and maintain, less stuff in my way when working. If I had a Grand L (and mid-mount mower) I'd likely use two 2x4s as a pry bar "jack" and pivot because they're fast, work great, easy to store, and also act as wheel chocks in a pinch, plus don't tend to damage stuff when they fall over. Put them in the shape of a biblical cross and it works great.


Do_The_Work.jpg
 
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McMXi

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***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
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I'd recommend a second tractor! I found that the MX did a good job when changing the rear wheel spacing on the M. 😂

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GeoHorn

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THAT is an AMAZING VALUE !! A Pair of the EXACT SAME dollies at HF is $65 …(Yes, SIXTY-FIVE-U.S. DOLLARS). :eek:

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE EDIT I MADE IMMEDIATELY AFTER POSTING THIS..??
THE LINK ABOVE TO NT HAD A “TYPO” AT $9.99. IT WAS ACTUALLY $149.99 FOR A PAIR!


A sophisticated and very-helpful, more manageable dolly …allows you to control height AND simultaneously ROLL. the wheel to align the lugs….is : https://www.harborfreight.com/1300-lb-capacity-self-loading-positioning-wheel-dolly-64601.html
 
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D2Cat

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Mar 27, 2014
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I'd recommend a second tractor! I found that the MX did a good job when changing the rear wheel spacing on the M. 😂

View attachment 169312

View attachment 169313
An extra tractor can be a back saver.
I needed to take a 16.9 x 38 tire from a field to town. Getting it off was one thing, getting it in the tuck was another. I used the bale spear which was mounted in the truck on the gooseneck ball. Hydraulics are nice, especially for people who have accumulated years.
 
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dirtydeed

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Why are you all worried about rolling the wheels to align the studs?

Just turn the friggin axle. :rolleyes:
 
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McMXi

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***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
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Montana
An extra tractor can be a back saver.
I needed to take a 16.9 x 38 tire from a field to town. Getting it off was one thing, getting it in the tuck was another. I used the bale spear which was mounted in the truck on the gooseneck ball. Hydraulics are nice, especially for people who have accumulated years.
A bale spear is a great idea. Those M6060 rear wheels/tires are heavy, particularly since they're filled with Rim Guard. There's no lifting them into place. The MX made "easy" work of installing the wheels, and also the three wheel weights per side, although I don't love Kubota's bolting system for the weights. It works but it's not elegant. Someday I'll make it better.
 

imnukensc

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BX2380
Sep 10, 2015
769
729
93
Midlands of SC
THAT is an AMAZING VALUE !! A Pair of the EXACT SAME dollies at HF is $65 …(Yes, SIXTY-FIVE-U.S. DOLLARS). :eek:

A sophisticated and very-helpful, more manageable dolly …allows you to control height AND simultaneously ROLL. the wheel to align the lugs….is : https://www.harborfreight.com/1300-lb-capacity-self-loading-positioning-wheel-dolly-64601.html
It's cheaper than another tractor as others have suggested. I wasn't looking for the cheapest solution. Was just trying to give the OP an alternative.
 

Dustball

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2016 B2650HSDC
Sep 15, 2023
484
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63
Hudson, WI

Old Machinist

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Kubota LX3310 cab, JD4120, JD4410, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
May 27, 2024
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NE FL
I like the forks idea.

I haven't tried it but I have a motorcycle jack in the shed I bet could be adapted.
 

TheOldHokie

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windyridgefarm.us
Alright, I installed 2” spacers and tire chains on my rear wheels of my B2601 over the weekend and I quickly realized this was a PITA and a two person job that meant I was trying to hold the tire so my wife could get a couple of the lug bolts started. I’m still sore from doing this.
So, I’d like to get a sense of what others use. I was thinking maybe a farm jack, construction jack, toe jack, or an air bladder jack to help raise and hold the tire at the correct height. I realize the obvious answer is a second tractor, but I don’t need or have the $ for that. So baring a second loader what do you guys use?
Tractor tire dolly. This handles everything I own.

1000004463.jpg
 
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