It's Always Something!

Ever notice that there is always something that slows you down, or in this case brings your work to a screeching halt? 

 I went out to mow around the STEEMhouse today and what do I find, a flat tire on on the old ZTR. That's zero turn radius mower, for those of you non mowing types. Not just a low tire that could be quickly aired up, no the tire was hanging off the rim. 

 Now once the bead is broken, you will play hell airing this tire up. Yea sometimes you can wiggle it around just right for it to seal, or you can take your life in your own hands and try to use the fire inflate method. That method involves spraying flammable vapor inside the loose tire, lighting it and the expanding gas seats the bead... not for me thanks! So here is my method!

Step 1

First mix you up a little soapy water, dish soap works. Then use it to clean off the bead and the rim, you don't want any loose dirt to keep it form making a seal. 

Step 2

 Get yourself a strap, or piece of rope, some cord, depending on the tire, you could even use chain. I used a piece of cat 5e cable.  Take the rope and wrap it around the tread of the tire, tie it off loosely. You will need to get a stick or something under the strap to tighten it with. 

 Then slide you pipe, pry bar or screwdriver under the knot and twist it to tighten the cordage. This will push the sidewalls out and cause them to make contact with the rim. 

Step 3

Air it up, well it may not be that easy, you will need to adjust the tire some to get a good seal, but this is way easier than trying to air up the tire with a half in gap between the rim!

 Air it up, just enough to set the bead, then remove your cordage, and be careful, over inflating tires can be dangerous. Also don't get anything under the cordage will your inflating, the tire will expand and it will get very tight under it. You don't want a finger in there, don't ask me how I know.

So there you are, in about 10 minutes you can be back on the road, or mowing, whatever! 

Remember to be safe, if the your tire blows up in your face, don't blame me!