Tire bead leak

[bruceha2000]

Hi all,
A friend of mine generously gave me his old Yardman 800 with 50" deck AND a snow blower. He had it running well, only a couple of small issues. I need to get a new belt for the blower, the expensive one that goes back to the engine. But hey, $60 or so for a belt is a LOT cheaper than buying a blower. The paint on the blower and tractor is flaky and there is a fair bit of rust, but as I can keep it inside, that isn't a huge problem. I figure I can clean and paint individual pieces as time allows.

The immediate question relates to the rear tire. He said it has a bead leak and needs air about every 2 days. I will probably only need it once a week during the summer so a couple of minutes airing the tire is nothing. Plus it has wheel weights so just popping the wheel off would not be an easy thing. But that would be a problem in the winter when I need to plow BEFORE I leave the house at 4:30 AM.
At that time of day, EVERY minute counts.

The question:
Can you seal, at least to an adequate level (like air every week or two), a bead leak while the wheel is on the tractor or do I need to get the wheel off and take it to a tire shop?

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[ILENGINE]

Just put in a good tire sealant like slime and you won't have to worry about it again.

 

[SONOFADOCKER]

Not a fan of tire slime . Some folks have a tire completely solid with green slime . When the tire does wear out it is stuck to the rim.
Jack the machine up . Deflate the tire . Get a small can of bead sealer . Paint both sides of the rim . Put your pants belt around the tire to seat the rim while you air up the tire . Fill to proper PSI and leave it up on the jack overnight .

 

[bruceha2000]

Thanks for the responses. I saw Slime at Lowes, but it seemed like it was more meant for sealing small holes in the tread, or maybe if the tire was old, hairline cracking to keep it one more season. Wasn't sure how it would even get to the bead unless the wheel was off and it could be swished around. Either that or put in so much it would fill the tire up above the bead and then spin the tire to get it all over the bead. I think I'll try the bead sealant trick first.

Bruce

 

[BKBrown]

Quite often it is grass or weeds between the wheel and the tire at the bead.

The bead needs to be broken and clean the rim and the tire bead. When they are clean I use Silicone spray -- yes, a belt will work to pull in the tread while you air up and re-seat the bead - if you have band clamps they will pull it in easier and farther.

 

[redfish9]

The old timers would use a little grease on the bead,seal it right up

 

[Carscw]

I use grease and a ratchet strap

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[Carscw]

Years ago we used grease and sprayed some started fluid in the tire then throw a match in and bang tire was on the bead

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[john higginbotham]

Years ago we used grease and sprayed some started fluid in the tire then throw a match in and bang tire was on the bead

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I saw a bunch of "gangsta" guys run over each other leaving a tire shop one day. they were quite sure someone was shooting:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[Berniebac]

Here's how you do it. Not sure its how I would do it, but I have seen it done.

Fix Wheelbarrow Flat Tire with Exploding Gas! - YouTube