Tire Changers

[happy]

Saw a few of these for sale on ebay a while back.They are smaller and are supposed to be good for tractor and trailer tires, I have plenty of both. With the restoring I'm currently doing one of these could come in handy. Can anyone tell me if they work well,how much and were to pick one up? Appreciate the help^

[callwill]

Was there supposed to be an attachment?

[Agricola]

I know Harbor Freight and Norther Tools both sell the tire machine. I think Harbor has the same price as Northern and I think Harbor picks up most or all the freight. I bought one from Harbor and can let you know how it works after I pick up a tractor needing front tires in a week.

[jworth]

I purchased the one from Harbor Freight that sells for $70 on sale for $40. It works great on rear (12") tires but the front ones will not fit. Be sure to read directions it makes it a lot easier trust me!!!!!!:o)

[thedaddycat]

You are looking at one of two different machines. The larger will do the 12" rears just fine but you have to remove the inner race of the bearing to do the fronts. The second one is smaller and will do the fronts with the races installed. I have both. They work as well as can be expected for a hand machine. You need to have them SOLIDLY mounted to work well. I like the larger machine and wish the fronts would fit on it. The smaller one works but is of poorer design or quality or both. I talked to other club members who had used one of the mini-tire changers and we had similar experiences. The rubber ring on mine was cut through just from tightening the wheel down tight enough so it wouldn't spin as I tried to get the tire loose. Also the threaded rod doesn't start threading into anything until it hits the base where it's clamped into the vise. That lets it wiggle a lot, again requiring tightening the wheel down... I'm thinking a block of wood with a hole drilled through would support the rod better, and a plywood disc faced with rubber or a bit of bed mat material would improve it a bit. Toss the old ring out.....

[JoeJ]

Big Cat, I've only used mine, the small one once, but had good luck with it, SO FAR. I did find the play between their bench mount and what you show in your picture to be way to much, That is cheap, fast construction on their part. My thought is that I've got it, it goes south, I have the pattern to make my own, but better. So far that rubber held up, but after watching posts in here, I'm watching for something to use as a replacement. If you can change it yourself, 2x2, 1/4 wall sq. tube will sleeve into 2.5x2.5, 3/16 wall very nicely. [img]http://www.simpletractors.com/club2/uploaded/JoeJ/joej_sig2.gif[/img]

[Dadsy98]

I have one of these. Works for me on the 12" and up.

[MoAC610]

I also have the one from Harbor Freight, I use it alot recently and have had no problems with it. Of course you need to bolt to the floor,I bought lead anchors and HD and drilled into concrete floor to mount it. I have changed tires from 3inch inside dia up to 12 inch so far works good for me

[happy]

I think i'll go with MoAC610's suggestion first, then if I have to get the mini changer. Does Harbor Freight have a web site or does sombody have a phone number? Thanks for all the replies. As usual you guys make this a lot easier than it normally would be.

[JBLACK]

I have one frome harbor freight it works fine, the changer is on sale in one of their summer catalogs for 39.00 the only time I had any problems was when mounting the super lugs on my 7010 needed an extra pair of hands.

[Dadsy98]

Dan, here's the web site: http://www.harborfreight.com/

[Bunky]

Mowerman1193 And I both have one of the small Tire changers, They work good so far, I have changed 12" tires on my 7016 with it without any problems... I personally think they are a good investment after reading about the prices others pay to have theirs changed....

[HubbardRA]

I have one like Dadsy98 pictures that I bought from a Chuck Homier traveling tool sale for $29.95. Works great on car tires, haven't tried it on any small tires yet. I know it will do 12 inch tires. Gonna try it on 8 inch tires soon.

[happy]

Thanks guys, I just ordered from Harbor. The advice may back fire because of the amount of money I'll spend on everything else I'll buy from there!;)