How do you inflate a tubeless tire?

[Martin Shupe]

Well, I parked my wheel barrow for too long, and the tire went flat. Really flat, off the rims flat. No problem, I think, I'll just air it up when I need it. So I am doing some yard work and decide it is time to air of the wheel barrow tire. I put the compressor on the valve, turn it on, and nothing happens. Only then do I realize it is a tubeless tire.

So....what's the point of a valve if there is no tube? How does one reseat the rims and get them to stick long enough to inflate with air?

Yeah, I know, I shouldn't have let it deflate. If no one has a solution, I guess it is off to the borg for a new tire.:(

Your suggestions on how to solve my problem are immensely appreciated.

[Mark Engel]

Try wrapping a bungee cord around the tire tread tight enough to keep the tire bead in contact with the edge of the rim.

This happens to me every year (I know I need a new tire). You only have to get the tire to contact the rim for a second or two while the air is going in. Once it starts to build up a little pressure, that pressure will keep the tire bead in contact with the rim.

[John Ricci]

Martin, the tire can easily be remounted by wrapping a ratchet type tiedown strap around the circumference of the tire and tightening it until the tire starts to spread and seat on the rim. That is when you can hit it with the air and the tire should seat and inflate normally:cool:. I've done it numerous times myself and it has never failed me. My.02Cdn.

J.R.

[Jim DeLaney]

You can also just use a piece of rope and a stick, hammer handle, etc. to make a tourniquet. Twist it up til the rim seals and add air.

The ratchet tiedown, if you have one handy, is a better method, though.

[Jerry Clark]

Martin, also take the core valve out-- it will allow more air in to help seat the tire bead.:D

[Mark Pruitt]

Martin,
My wheelbarrow tire, which is tubeless, has deflated twice on me in recent months. Both times, I put the air chuck on the valve and "slapped" the tire a few times until it "grabbed" the rim. I had to work at it for a while but I was persistent and I finally succeeded. I probably have a damaged rim, but it's a rusty old wheelbarrow that is near the end of its usefulness so I figure I'll use it till it falls apart and go buy another one.

[Ken Garlock]

You can also buy an inflatable band that wraps around the tread of the tire. It has a Schrader valve that inflates a rubber tube that forces the tire bead against the rim. Then you can inflate the tire the normal way to get the bead seated.

[John Ricci]

There's always the instant inflation method...a quick spray of starting ether into the deflated tire...stand back...pitch a match at the edge of the rim and if all goes as planned the tire will not only seat with a loud pop, it will inflate to a good degree as well...but no responsible adult would ever do this, right:rolleyes:?

J.R.

[Von Bickley]

There's always the instant inflation method...a quick spray of starting ether into the deflated tire...stand back...pitch a match at the edge of the rim and if all goes as planned the tire will not only seat with a loud pop, it will inflate to a good degree as well...but no responsible adult would ever do this, right:rolleyes:?

J.R.

My son is a brick mason and that is standard procedure on construction sites.

[Leo Pashea]

There's always the instant inflation method...a quick spray of starting ether into the deflated tire...stand back...pitch a match at the edge of the rim and if all goes as planned the tire will not only seat with a loud pop, it will inflate to a good degree as well...but no responsible adult would ever do this, right:rolleyes:?

J.R.

I was going to mention this time tested, and rather entertaining method..............but, with my luck, I would get a phone call from someone's attorney after the "boom".

(Von, I think they teach Mason's that in apprentice training.........that's where I learned it..........a bricklayer friend.....small world, huh?)

[Ryan Cathey]

(Before I say anything; I'm sixteen years old)...THATS SOUNDS REALLY FUN!!!!!!! LOL

[Martin Shupe]

Well, I fussed with it for at least an hour, using the "compression strap" method. I tried the "remove the valve core" trick, but then my compressor thingy wouldn't provide air--it has to be opened by the valve core itself.

What finally did it was slathering a large amount of vaseline on both sides of the tire (and some on the rim), along with the compression strap.

So the tire starts to inflate, putting pressure on the strap. I don't want to deflate the tire, to get the strap off, so I almost break my thumb messing with the strap mechanism to remove it when all of the sudden the tire pops to full size and the compression strap is released all at once. Bruised my thumb, lost some skin, but lived to fight another day.

Now the ether thing, is that for real? That sounds like my kind of solution! However, before I try to learn something that technical, I would need a demostration first.:eek: Any volunteers?:D

Next time I go buy a wheel barrow, I'll buy one with a tube in the tire. Also, when I first see it getting low, I'll fill it up before the beads unseal.

Thanks for all the help, everyone, I couldn't have done it without you!

[Leo Pashea]

Martin, they do have inner tube type replacement wheels for most wheel barrow's. They also make a "filled" type of semi-solid wheel barrow tire/rim combination. They use some sort of lightweight, closed cell foam product that fills the tire. Flat proof, and mostly seen on contractor grade barrow's. Personally, I prefer the tubeless type, and I use a slime like product made for sealing such applications. I get the sealant at a local farm supply store. It works great, but no matter what, you need to check the air on occasion. All tires lose a bit of air over time.

[Brad Schmid]

Now the ether thing, is that for real? That sounds like my kind of solution! However, before I try to learn something that technical, I would need a demostration first.:eek: Any volunteers?:D

Martin,
Yes, for real.
Some thoughtful folks already have demo'd it for your viewing pleasure on Youtube. search on "ether tire" you'll get several :D

[John Ricci]

(Before I say anything; I'm sixteen years old)...THATS SOUNDS REALLY FUN!!!!!!! LOL

Ryan, fun but dangerous too. It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye, then it's just a game..."Find The Eye".

J.R.

[Jim DeLaney]

For sealant, I bought a big bottle of green Slime (brand name) at Harbor Freight - WalMart has it, too. I have it in my wheelbarrow, rototiller, pressure washer, and garden trailer tires, as well as in my hand truck tires. Some have tubes, but most are tubeless.

I haven't had one go flat in a couple years, now.

[Ben Grunow]

I have a frien d who works in a gas astation and was filling a wheelbarrow tire, off the wheelbarrow, with a large compressor and just before the tire got hard the wheel split (rusty old wheel made from 2 dishes welded together as they all are) and one half peeled about 4" round piece of his forehead back. He was able to get the scalp flap sewn back down but still retains a U shaped scar from that event.

I would avoid the starting fluid idea except on 1 pc aluminum car wheels or at least put a cavas over it to save you from getting hit by the big pieces.

Ben

[Jim Tobias]

Martin,
Last time (make that 2 times) that this happened to me, I actually pulled out a Bessey strap clap (took the plastic corners out) and tightened down on the middle of the tire. This made contact and allowed me to inflate the tire. Just another reason/excuse to but more clamps (in case I break one repairing a flat tire).

Jim

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Martin,
My wheelbarrow tire, which is tubeless, has deflated twice on me in recent months. Both times, I put the air chuck on the valve and "slapped" the tire a few times until it "grabbed" the rim. I had to work at it for a while but I was persistent and I finally succeeded. I probably have a damaged rim, but it's a rusty old wheelbarrow that is near the end of its usefulness so I figure I'll use it till it falls apart and go buy another one.


Gee....Mark......A hospital chaplain slapping a deflated tire into submission?:eek: :rolleyes: :D .........Note to self.....don't ...I repeat don't incur the rath of Mark!:eek:

[Martin Shupe]

Gee....Mark......A hospital chaplain slapping a deflated tire into submission?:eek: :rolleyes: :D .........Note to self.....don't ...I repeat don't incur the rath of Mark!:eek:

Didn't General Patton get in trouble for something similar?

[Mark Pruitt]

Gee....Mark......A hospital chaplain slapping a deflated tire into submission?:eek: :rolleyes: :D .........Note to self.....don't ...I repeat don't incur the rath of Mark!:eek:
Ken, you should see the hole I punched in a cardboard box when I stabbed it with a gouge after a nasty catch last weekend!:eek:

[jeremy levine]

There's always the instant inflation method...a quick spray of starting ether into the deflated tire...stand back...pitch a match at the edge of the rim and if all goes as planned the tire will not only seat with a loud pop, it will inflate to a good degree as well...but no responsible adult would ever do this, right:rolleyes:?

J.R.
Please post video :D

[Michael Cody]

Next time I go buy a wheel barrow, I'll buy one with a tube in the tire. Also, when I first see it getting low, I'll fill it up before the beads unseal.

Thanks for all the help, everyone, I couldn't have done it without you!

No need to do that, just go buy a Slime Tube -- it's a tube w/self-sealing material in it. Pop out the valve, put tube inside the tire and put the valve out thru the hole. You won't have any more problems.

[Russ Filtz]

I've heard of this technique used on large construction equipment even, like loader tires. many times these things are out in the field with no ready access to tools and such. A little gas and a match, you're in business! I think the trick to learn EXACTLY how much gas is needed! :eek:

[Dave Bow]

All of these methods usually work pretty good, but to make it go a little easier, use a little dish soap to lube the bead and rim. We used to do the ether method for years on tractor trailer tires. We used a clip on type tire chuck with a 10 ft hose on it, then to a squeeze type valve for safety, and ran a line of ether a couple of feet away from the tire. It was always an exciting job when it came to tires.

Dave

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello,


(Before I say anything; I'm sixteen years old)...THATS SOUNDS REALLY FUN!!!!!!! LOL
LOL! (I'm 55 years old)
SURE DOES SOUND LIKE FUN!! :D

Martin,
My tractor tires go flat on a regular basis. Somtimes right in the middle of cutting the yard:confused: .

What really works well is air - lot's and lot's and lot's of air.
I use on of those clip on inflators and jiggle the tire around while the air is pouring in. It just seems to all of a sudden catch and start to inflate.

[Charles McKinley]

To help prevent this go to Napa (only place i know that stocks it) and get some bead seal. It is black sticky stuff that helps form the seal between the tire and the rim. Also use some soapy water to make sure you are not losing air through the valve stem. Around here the solid tire are about $50. Also turn the wheelbarrow upside down or stand it up to take the weight off of the tire and even if it loses air it has a better chance to stay on the bead.

Eithering tire may be illeagls in your state please check local regulations.:rolleyes:

[James E Clark]

Take the tire to a local tire fixit place,they'll squirt some sealent in the tire then use a tank of compressed air that comes out all at once instead of a little at a time using the air hose and air chuck. The tank has a valve on it that when you open the valve all air thats in the tank comes out all at once. But then again taking the tire to someone else wouldn't be as fun or as interesting as the whole ether,match thing.
sincerely,
Jim at
Clark Customs

[Hal Flynt]

Good idea about the strap clamp.

I've had good luck replacing and inflating mine in the past, but the last tire from China, just would not seat. I tired rope, belts, nylon tie downs etc. Then I bought an inner tube, put it in and never looked back.

[Dennis Peacock]

Ether works good and so does hairspray. :rolleyes: :D

[Dar Lounsbury]

If you try the ether method, be very sure where BOTH hands are when you ignite it. While working motorcycle shop, I have seen more than one novice damage a portion of their hands. Band clamp or inflation collar are really the only safe ways to do this. The same person who would not use a table saw without the safety of a splitter now recommends a very questionable method of installing a tire. Should shop safety be a full time affair?

I know, you think I am a sissy. Forty years in the shops and I still have all ten.

[Jesse Espe]

And get a solid wheel. Cost a bit more, but you don't have to deal with it anymore. Got mine from the Orange BORG two years ago, and haven't had a problem since.

Seems a bit more sensible to me than trying to blow one's self up with ether and a lighter...then again, I'm not sixteen anymore :p

Cheers,
Jesse

[Ryan Cathey]

Hey, watch those sixteen year old jokes!! LOL just kidding hehe

[Martin Shupe]

I had no idea you all would have so much to say about my plea for help.:D

Thanks again,

[Bill Houghton]

Back when I was a pump jockey, and tubeless tires were becoming the standard (just becoming: we saw a lot of tube-type tires, which may give you some idea of my age [see below for answer]), we had several tricks:

a) We had an inflatable tube, as Ken Garlock mentioned, that wrapped around the center of the tread and pushed the bead up to the rim (didn't work on some of the low-profile hotrod tires). Any of the methods suggested by others (rope, ratchet strap, bungee cord) will work as well.

b) we used tire lubricant, which is basically a non-corrosive detergent, to lube the bead and the rim. Next time you do this, I'd suggest kitchen detergent in water, or even just water, over vaseline.

c) we'd bounce particularly recalcitrant tires on the ground to get the bead established on the rim, and we'd sometimes inflate the tires upright rather than on their sides because the bead would sometimes seat better that way.

d) we'd be DARNED sure to keep our fingers out of the rim/bead area. You can lose a fingertip if it gets caught in the bead seating suddenly on the rim.

For those with insufficient information to figure out age from information provided, the answer is "58," and I pumped gas from 1965 to 1969. Back then, "pump jockey" meant a real job, with a range of skills.

[Dennis Peacock]

Hey, watch those sixteen year old jokes!! LOL just kidding hehe

You're a hoot Ryan.!!!!! :)

[Robert Mickley]

Eithering tire may be illeagls in your state please check local regulations.:rolleyes:
Actually its against DOT regs to do that to semi tires as of 8 or 9 years ago. The ether that trapped in the tire actually degrades the rubber over time, plus the shock of the explosion stresses the tire.

For you creative types with a bit of time on your hands. Find you local semi truck junk yard and get an air tank off of a truck, one about 12 inches long. Get two 1.5 to 2 inch pipe nipples and a ball cock valve.
Cut a hole in the side of the tank and weld on one of the nipples.
Attach your ball cock valve.
Attach the other nipple
Flatten out the end of the nipple so its oval shaped.
Weld a piece of 1/4 inch square stock on the top side of the flat spot
Put a Schrader valve in one of the factory ports and plug all the others.
Close the ball cock valve and fill the tank with air
Put the nipple against the rim clip on an air hose to the tire valve, flip open the ball cock valve.
The sudden inrush of air will blow the sides out against the rim and your fingers are back out of the way safe and sound. We built one of theses years ago and if you use it once it's worth the effort

[Ed Breen]

Martin,
I use rubber cement and a length of webbing strapping to set the tire on the rim. I also swear by slime, right now I have 3 quarts and a gallon in the shop. It works lke a charm on all tires, tractor, 4 wheeler etc. I have also gone solid on wheelbarrows. sure saves my temper.
Ed

[Wayne Gauthier]

Dont you think that it would be easier to have a tube installed in the tire?? You wouldn't have that problem.

[Martin Shupe]

Dont you think that it would be easier to have a tube installed in the tire?? You wouldn't have that problem.

Wayne, you are quite correct, and I am wondering why the people who make these things don't just install one at the factory. Oh, I remember, it's the money!

My thumb is still healing, next time I'll go buy a tube.

[Benjimin Young]

I had a similar problem with my riding grass mower and finally got tubes installed, now life is back to normal. Proven old technology.

[Charles McKinley]

I just saw tubes preloaded with Slime tonight at the hardware.