Can You Mount BX Tires On A Regular Tire Machine?

[Soopitup]

Anyone do their own tires?
Can you mount/balance (I guess you don't balance these?) these tires on an automotive tire machine? Especially the small front ones.
Curious because if you can it will push me closer to buying my own.

I'm talking about a shop grade powered one. Not something like a Harbor Freight catastrophe.

 

[DustyRusty]

The rears can be mounted on some automobile tire machines if the operator has a good working knowledge of the tire machine. The fronts can present a bigger problem because of their small size. The machine at a friend's shop handled the 10" front tire with no problem, but I had to spoon the tire on manually. Without knowing more about your tire machine, I can't give a definite answer. Also, the hand tire machine that Harbor Freight sells works well after you fix some of the poor welds on it. It must be bolted down to use it properly. I know someone who has one in his garage, and he uses it often.
If your tires are filled for weight, take a few minutes with some sandpaper to scuff up the powder coat on the inside of the rim for a better seal. I also use a tire coating on the inside of the rim lip because that is where the majority of nonpuncture leaks occur. Install brass stems if yours are presently rubber stems.

 

[mikester]

The bead breaker can work. Getting the rubber bead to seat on small tires often involves a ratchet strap.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

You must have a LOT of tire work to do if you're going to buy a 'pro' machine AND dedicate a LOT of space for it in your garage. I've used a 'HF catastrophe' for 2-3 decades,using the forklift as the 'solid base' as i couldn't afford to dedicate a spot in the garage for it. You need 6' all around it.and providing you use it and not 'abuse' it, it works very well.

 

[Orangeglow]

Yes, I have had my local garage swap out tires on mine. Don,t forget to remove the valve stem when trying to get the bead set on the rim. You need a large volume of air.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Just get some really big spoons. Lol!
The guy that showed up roadside to put a tire on our RV wheel (2 flats on that trip, but we had an extra tire) did it manually! I was pretty impressed. I know he does it often but he made it look easy.

 

[skeets]

When I had the cub garden tractor,, ( really a good hard working little beast) I had to replace a tire and I tried all the tricks I ever heard, nada,, to it to the tire shop I already had it on the rim, they leaned it against the wall and brought over a tank, looked about the size of a gas grill tank. It had a valve and a nozzle on the valve , put the nozzle next to the tire pointing into the gap, and slapped the valve handle. That sudden burst of air popped it right in place, checked pressure and it was good to go,, took like 2 min

 

[Ktrim]

When I had the cub garden tractor,, ( really a good hard working little beast) I had to replace a tire and I tried all the tricks I ever heard, nada,, to it to the tire shop I already had it on the rim, they leaned it against the wall and brought over a tank, looked about the size of a gas grill tank. It had a valve and a nozzle on the valve , put the nozzle next to the tire pointing into the gap, and slapped the valve handle. That sudden burst of air popped it right in place, checked pressure and it was good to go,, took like 2 min

Yes. The cheata. Works great

 

[bearskinner]

I have used the cheap HF tire machine that I got for changing out quad tires, to replace front tires on my BX. I mounted mine to a heavy oak pallet. I’ve also used it to brake the bead on the rears, to replace valve stems, and refill the ballast.
Just like anything from HF, keep your expectations realistic. It gives you a limited platform, that is better than just a couple tire spoons, but no where near a real tire machine.
It is great for quad or SxS wheels and tires, but labor intensive, with Lots of lube

 

[trial and error]

I as well have and have used the harbour freight manual tire machine to do the front 6-12's carlisle r-1's on the front of my b7100 a couple spoons and some dish soap and it was done. It was a little tricky but I hate paying someone to do something I can do I have the tire "machine" bolted to a peice of plywood then screwed it down to my trailer deck because I don't have a good place to permanently install it

 

[dlsmith]

Yes, I have had my local garage swap out tires on mine. Don,t forget to remove the valve stem when trying to get the bead set on the rim. You need a large volume of air.

You mean the valve core?
Otherwise you'll have to break the bead to get a new stem in the rim.

 

[The Evil Twin]

When I had the cub garden tractor,, ( really a good hard working little beast) I had to replace a tire and I tried all the tricks I ever heard, nada,, to it to the tire shop I already had it on the rim, they leaned it against the wall and brought over a tank, looked about the size of a gas grill tank. It had a valve and a nozzle on the valve , put the nozzle next to the tire pointing into the gap, and slapped the valve handle. That sudden burst of air popped it right in place, checked pressure and it was good to go,, took like 2 min

I use the nitrogen variety. Tank holds 3000 psi.

 

[DustyRusty]

Instead of nitrogen for filling your tires, try helium. It will make your tractor feel like you are riding on a cloud.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Instead of nitrogen for filling your tires, try helium. It will make your tractor feel like you are riding on a cloud.

I tried using nitrous oxide, but the L just laughed it off.

 

[Orangeglow]

You mean the valve core?
Otherwise you'll have to break the bead to get a new stem in the rim.

Yes, sorry, the valve core has to be removed so you can get a large burst of air in the tire while trying to hold it fairly tight against the rim.

 

[Henro]

Now that you have gotten great advice, I have to admit, every time I read the thread title, I keep asking myself:

Do tire machines have wheels?

 

[cthomas]

Yes. The cheata. Works great

Mne has a removeable tip, can launch a potato pretty far too.

 

[Ktrim]

Mne has a removeable tip, can launch a potato pretty far too.

Nice.

 

[Crash277]

i have a no-mar tire changer. used the bead breaker on it, then just spooned the fronts off and then back on. wasnt very difficult. only real issue is the rims are too small for my clamp system so i tossed a ratchet strap around the tire and secured it to the machine. i dont have a picture of it with a tractor tire but this is how its set up for a motorcycle.

 

[Soopitup]

I use the nitrogen variety. Tank holds 3000 psi.
View attachment 113836

You should just get a nitrogen machine.