[Koko]

Here's links to a few. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with them?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34542
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34552
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200349248_200349248 http://www.northerntool.com

 

[Bear Humper]

The only one I ever used was a home made bead breaker! :dontknow:

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

I have talked to people who use them and they say they work. Just takes longer and a little elbow grease.

 

[Koko]

I've heard too that they need to really be bolted down to be effective.

 

[Guest]

I've heard too that they need to really be bolted down to be effective.

Go check out the new Tractor Supply Company that is opening in Putnam on January 2nd. At least there you may be able to check out a few models if they have them set up, or at least check out the specs on the boxes.

 

[Koko]

Where in Putnam is that going to be? Left off of 395 or right towards Putnam Kawi? I'd like to check that store out.

 

[Guest]

Where in Putnam is that going to be? Left off of 395 or right towards Putnam Kawi? I'd like to check that store out.

Take 395 and go left, away from Wal-Mart and Putnam Kawi. Its across from the Sears Essentials and Wendy's. Big building on your right, you can't miss it.

 

[Koko]

Ok I know where you are. that's where I was thinking. Now it just has to open. ccasion14:

 

[Guest]

Mike, my cousin, got a catalog from them recently, waayyyy too many good things in there. Thing was over 300 pages full of fun stuff.

 

[Koko]

Have you heard an exact opening date? I feel like a kid at Christmas going to ToysRus to spend his gift money. Only difference is that I don't have any gift money to spend.

It will be good to check out the tire changers in person. :icon_thumleft:

 

[Guest]

Have you heard an exact opening date? I feel like a kid at Christmas going to ToysRus to spend his gift money. Only difference is that I don't have any gift money to spend.

It will be good to check out the tire changers in person. :icon_thumleft:

I heard it was supposed to be January 2nd, but I would think that if you check:

myTSCstore.com

They might have a new store openings thing on there.

 

[captjack]

I would buy a good bead breaker and 2 tire irons (bars) much faster then those machines. get some liquid soap in a spray bottle and bingo - your changing tires

I was in the tire bz for 15 years, and i feel that the hardest part of atv tires is breaking beads and inflating new tires that have been stacked during shipping. I have a "cheatah" in my garage - which looks like a propane tank with a shute on one end - you fill it with air to about 120 lbs then let er rip into the tire/ wheel assembly when airing up - we use them on tractor trailer tires/ farm tires etc to set the beads.

on second thought - its cheaper to go to your local tire store and pay 10 bucks - lmao !!!

 

[Koko]

on second thought - its cheaper to go to your local tire store and pay 10 bucks - lmao !!!

True! :laughing4:

 

[heritage1]

usualy if you find a small mom and pap tire shop and you treat them right they will most likely do the same. :evil5:

 

[Koko]

I probably should go see my regular tire guy. Treats me great with my vehicles. But he says he can't do atv tires. I think he's thinking they are all 10" sport quad wheels like back in the day.

 

[GRIZZLYWIZARD]

Yeah most tire machines these day can handle the standards 12 and 14 inch wheels. Hech our ATV's have bigger tires than some cars these days.

 

[captjack]

If they have the newer style rim clamp machines they can do them all day long. if they have the old center post - be carefull that the bottom side of the rim doesnt get caught and bend the wheel during the bead breaking. If they have the new style and dont want to change them - just see can break the beads - then just change them with pry bars or long screw drivers . its easy to do

 

[Grumpy]

I did a set of four using the Harbor Freight "armstrong" changer (ITEM 34542-6VGA) that I bought for around $30. You'll definitely want to securely mount it to the floor or something so you don't chase it all over the place. Breaking beads is about a 6 on a scale of 10 for effectiveness. As far as levering the tire off, again its a bit better than simply using screwdrivers and such, but not by a great deal. There is just enough engineering in the tool for there to be some advantage in using it, but you aren't going to marvel at the cleverness of design or high build quality.

With one of the old tires I was working with the foot of the bead breaker would constantly slip off of the bead, and that one tire I spent 45 mins trying to break the bead :cussing: I even resorted to trying the old plank and truck method with no success too before I hit upon the trick to keeping the foot in place: Basically I drove a prybar through the old tire behind the foot and that finally worked to keep it in place.

In my opinion, for a one-time purchase and use even at $30 I'd say it's not worth it, but if you think you will be changing multiple sets you'd get better at using it and probably recoup your costs.

 

[Koko]

Thanks Grumpy!