Mini Harbor Freight tire changer

[4getgto]

Got the new tires on and think they should work pretty good.


As far as HF changer goes. The tool that's used to install the tires kept slipping out on me. Don't know if I was doing something wrong which I doubt but ended up putting them with regular tire irons. You use the upper end with flat part on it but wouldn't cooperate.


All in all its ok. The best part that it did for me was make taking the old tires off the rims easier. Breaking the beads with it kinda sucked as with mounting the new tires. On nice new/ clean rims I'm sure breaking them down would much easier but how often do we encounter that.? Helps with certain things but not what I thought totally.

 

[Pig]

Thanks for the review!

Those tires look GREAT; similar to the Kenda ones on my Honda 300 Fourtrax.

 

[jason silliker]

The poor casting on mine was too thin on one side to go 5/8". You got lucky!

I have to take some pictures of mine Daniel I just copied the one they had basically it’s a piece of square plate on the bottom with a piece of 2 inch pipe that has a acne threaded nut welded to a heavy washer on the top of the pipe then another nut and spacers hold the rim down.

 

[Propane1]

I got a tire for you to do Jason. 8” wheel. 16x6.5x8. Other one I had to cut off the tire.

Noel

 

[jason silliker]

Yeah we can give it a try Noel. Here’s my version basically the same, bolts to the bench or 2” hitch mount. I added the rod on the side as it fits most of the four bolts and five bolt pattern trailer/lawn tractor rims, stops the difficult ones from turning. Couple of cheap Flea bay rim protectors. I put the rim between the two pieces of rubber belt for protection then tighten down the nut. I actually have the dismount bar from one of the harbour freight/Princess Auto models. One was returned with a stripped rod (imagine that) they were selling just the tool for five bucks couldn’t make one for that lol. I didn’t bother with the bead breaker as I heard they weren’t that great anyway I just stuck them in my 20 ton shop press that I took an old leaf spring from a heavy truck and made it fit my press.

 

[olcowhand]

Yeah we can give it a try Noel. Here’s my version basically the same, bolts to the bench or 2” hitch mount. I added the rod on the side as it fits most of the four bolts and five bolt pattern trailer/lawn tractor rims, stops the difficult ones from turning. Couple of cheap Flea bay rim protectors. I put the rim between the two pieces of rubber belt for protection then tighten down the nut. I actually have the dismount bar from one of the harbour freight/Princess Auto models. One was returned with a stripped rod (imagine that) they were selling just the tool for five bucks couldn’t make one for that lol. I didn’t bother with the bead breaker as I heard they weren’t that great anyway I just stuck them in my 20 ton shop press that I took an old leaf spring from a heavy truck and made it fit my press.

Great idea on the shop press bead breaker! One could also add a plate underneath with a hook on top to snug up opposite the breaker side. I may just build a breaker for my press! Much better than using my large vice! My press jack also operates with air, so even easier.

 

[KennyP]

I got a tire for you to do Jason. 8” wheel. 16x6.5x8. Other one I had to cut off the tire.

Noel

That wheel would get a wire brush treatment!

 

[Propane1]

When I get the other tire off Kenny, both wheels will be going into my sons sandblasting cabinet he made. Then primed and painted white.

Noel

 

[Pig]

An older thread.
Same tires I mentioned up-thread. 8 tires, 6-ply with tubes, 18.5x8.5/8, off a hay rake

Got the Harbor Freight mini tire changer, and realized within a few minutes that it won't do. WAYYY too chinzy.

Struggled getting the bead broke. Used similar method as Jason; 20-ton shop press. Worked sort of okay on most beads.
One tire needed cutting off....used a standard hand wood saw and an angle grinder for the metal.
I think the main issue I had was that the tires were probably driven flat, so the rubber was VERY soft in the wall area. Just kept bending/squashing the tire without actually breaking the bead on a few tires.

Used a tractor drawbar bolted to the concrete floor and a 3/4" threaded rod welded to it. This is where the Harbor Freight mini Tire Changer came in handy: I used the conical aluminum disk to center the wheel.

Couldn't actually get the new tires on; my tire irons just kept bending. Luckily there's one guy at the local tire shop who's willing to put the tires and tubes on these.

Hats off to all of you who change your own SMALL tires.
It's 9pm now...and I'm beat...and I only did HALF the job (take old tires off).

 

[Toomanytoys84]

The last 2 sets of ninibike tires I was able to sit the tire on a towel on the concrete and jump on the tire with both feet and pop the beads. Little soap and 2 screw drivers I was able to wrestle them on. I was surprised they went so easy.

 

[Pig]

I did a front tire TUBE install for a SNAPPER zero-turn mower; piece of cake! The Harbor Freight mini-tire changer worked perfectly for that.

 

[Technautic61]

Have done some riding mower tires without rust and HF mini changer is OK. Tried some Yamaha golf cart tires at work, and started bending the rod on it. So I stopped. I like the idea of using some rod stock to replace the flimsy one that comes on the changer.

I like the idea of using a press for bead break. Will keep in mind for the next tires I do.

 

[SimplyRad]

I mounted mine on a vice hitch mount. Just put it in the receiver and it is a good height for me.

 

[chieffan]

For a bead breaker I got one of the heavy slide hammer type used mainly for truck tires years ago. Beast to handle but gets the job done. First used on when worked at a filling station after school. Used warm Coke around the rim and let it sit for 1/2 hour. Helped loosen the bead from the rim.

 

[WNYtractortinkerer]

Haven't used it yet but I'd dare say using this changer "has" to be easier than wrestling them around on the floor..
Especially 8 of them.....!

I have a long/large 5/8" bolt that I stick through the tire's bearings and hold in the bench vise. (I bust the bead with a bead breaker) and have found this way to be acceptable. Having the tire/rim controlled is half the battle.. It's also at a optimal working height for this old fart