HF Tire Changer

[zendriver]

Anyone have experience with this?

I have some tires I need to pull off rims but the tire stores were $10 apiece, so it'll about pay for itself in the first set.

Realize that is not the most high quality tool on earth, but will it get the job done? I thought about spending more for a nice older coats 1010, but I don't have the need , the space, or the air for one at this point.

https://m.harborfreight.com/manual-tire-changer-69686.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided




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[ndnchf]

A buddy of mine bought one to change his ATV tires. It worked great for him. Just be sure to buy some tire lube. He got Ruglyde from NAPA and it really works well.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I've had one for years that I use on farm equipment tires. Gets the job done.

 

[tlevan03]

They work alright. I did some motorcycle tires and it was quite a work out

 

[Jd34]

I've been considering getting one but I need to change out some 32 inch tires and not sure if it could handle that. Does anyone know how large of a tire you can change with it?

 

[06switchback]

I bought one this spring it works pretty good I use it for the occasional leak and tire repair I don't think I would change the tires on my truck with it

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[Jeepermike]

I have one and probably changed about 20 tires. It is a pain. Though when I build a beadlock wheel I use it to mount the tire because I don't trust tire shops to mount them. I ended up welding a unit bearing to the top of it and now mostly use it to mount and assemble beadlock wheels/tires.

 

[Jeepermike]

I've been considering getting one but I need to change out some 32 inch tires and not sure if it could handle that. Does anyone know how large of a tire you can change with it?

I have done 35s with it.

 

[plinker]

15" is likely the largest wheel size you can do, the HF looks like the Larin branded one I've got. Northern tool has or had one that does 16", a bit ore money though, IIRC.

 

[oldmxracer]

Bought one years ago via eBay, worth every penny, works great !

I have anchors in my floor just move it in place and bolt it down.

 

[Jd34]

I have done 35s with it.

Thanks! Going to give it a try then.

 

[brownbagg]

i got that exact model, its pretty good, I did 33 with it, but i bolted mine to the slab. dont care much for the bead breaker,

here mount and balance 4 tires, $100

 

[Greeny]

Had one for several years, done up to 17" tires on my pickup. It is a workout to demount/mount 4 tires!. Also use the HF bubble balancer.
I welded a hitch reciever to mine, and now run a piece of 2x2 into my truck, and the tire changer on the other end. Works good and easy to break down and store.

 

[Bobf]

I've had one for years, a work out, but it does work. I have inserts in the floor to mount it when needed. Suggest you get a couple good tire.e irons also.

 

[Richard Cranium]

How are their bubble balancers?

 

[theoldwizard1]

There are basically 2 steps. "Breaking" (down) the bead and then removing the tire from the rim. Both require tools and TECHNIQUE !

The HF tool has a bead breaker built in but there are a lot of different ways to break a bead after removing the valve core and air. If you are careful, you can do it by driving over the tire with another vehicle. Old fashion bumper jacks, 2x4 levers, etc., etc. In any case, you should apply a liquid lube (soapy water) at the edge of the bead and the outer flange of the rim. I have always been impressed with the BeadBuster tool even though I have never used one

It appears to be easy and fast especially if you own a battery/pneumatic impact wrench.

Step 2 is removing the bead. Tools are required from simple tire spoons and a second person, if you don't have a machine, to hold the tire from moving on the ground as well as holding one of the spoons. (If you are going to buy spoons, buy 3. Everyone will tell you, you only need 2, but that thord one will come in handy at times.) TECHNIQUE IS CRITICAL IN THIS STEP EVEN IF YOU HAVE A FANCY TIRE MACHINE ! The side of the tire OPPOSITE of where you are working the spoon/tire tool MUST remain depressed into the "drop center". Manual machines have a long demount/mount lever and a fulcrum (center post) that make this step a one man operation and much easier. Also using a paste lubricant like Murphy's Original Concentrated Tire and Tube Mounting Compound

There are a lot of videos on YouTube. Watch the peoples technique. The one that are not struggling are using lube and keeping the opposite side of the tire down.

The HF tool is okay, but you really need to mount it to a concrete floor. The Northern Tool one is similar but built a bit better. The Cadillac of manual changers is the No Mar Classic. Originally designed for motorcycle tires, it is sturdy enough to do pickup truck tires. Hard to justify compared to the others manual ones, but you won't mess up your aluminum rims.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have one and probably changed about 20 tires. It is a pain.

Any manual tire changer needs to be bolted down to something secure. A PALLET IS NOT VERY SECURE EVEN WHEN YOU ARE STANDING ON IT !!

Bought one years ago via eBay, worth every penny, works great !

I have anchors in my floor just move it in place and bolt it down.

That the way to go !

 

[theoldwizard1]

Had one for several years, done up to 17" tires on my pickup. It is a workout to demount/mount 4 tires!

I've had one for years, a work out, but it does work.

It has been more than a few years since I have used one, but if you feel it is a workout you are not using the proper lube or enough of it in the proper strategic place, OR ...

Your TECHNIQUE IS WRONG !


How NOT to use a HF tire changer !

He did not even tighten the center clamp properly !

 

[abachman]

There are a number of videos on the internet (Youtube) that show it in use... generally speaking it is pretty straight forward and seems to do a good job for occasional use.

 

[eyeball]

Any manual tire changer needs to be bolted down to something secure. A PALLET IS NOT VERY SECURE EVEN WHEN YOU ARE STANDING ON IT !!

Works fine for me. I have dismounted 33" tires for my Jeep with it screwed down to a pallet. When I was done I unscrewed it, pitched the pallet and took the changer apart and stored it in a corner of the attic until next time.

But I will confess, it is not a task I look forward to doing again...

 

[jwsia]

Ive had one for years and have done may mower tires and some truck tires with it. I bought it to do motorcycle tires and it more than paid for itself on the first set. theres alot of technique with these. I think its a good tool and mount it to the floor

 

[Git]

The Harbor Freight model is very popular with the motorcycle community. Although I do not have one, I believe a popular upgrade is to buy the NoMar mount/demount bar to avoid scratching your rims (if that is an issue)
https://www.nomartirechanger.com/Mount_Demount_Bar_p/tc-mdbar.htm

I have their Tire Changer - The "Classic" model with a trailer hitch mount instead of the floor mount and it has more than paid for itself (I used to ride about 20k miles a year and went through a lot of tires over the years

https://www.nomartirechanger.com/Classic_Model_Motorcycle_Tire_Changer_p/tc-classic.htm

 

[Ign]

I have one. My buddy just mounted and dismounted eight 265/75/16's (~32")

With stubborn beads the bead breaker will try to "parallelogram" over. Welding a bit of reinforcement fixed that.

 

[crewchief888]

ive had one for several years. ive busted down a LOT of scrap tires/wheels everything from lawn mower size to 16" wheels on my sierra with it.
seems to work "best" on 15" wheels,
ive done several 35" M/T's on my s-10

i did manage to split the tube the handle slips into on a particularly stubborn bead. in its defense i ended up cutting that tire off the rim, i never did get the backside bead broken due to the heavy rust on the wheel, and a generous amount of bead sealer i put on the tire when i mounted it...

 

[Ign]

ive had one for several years. ive busted down a LOT of scrap tires/wheels everything from lawn mower size to 16" wheels on my sierra with it.
seems to work "best" on 15" wheels,
ive done several 35" M/T's on my s-10

i did manage to split the tube the handle slips into on a particularly stubborn bead. in its defense i ended up cutting that tire off the rim, i never did get the backside bead broken due to the heavy rust on the wheel, and a generous amount of bead sealer i put on the tire when i mounted it...

I believe it. I seriously bent the tube on my bead breaker. My buddy fought that bead for 2 hours. Driving on it w a K10, sledgehammers, bead breaker (with a cheater). Lots of rust on a steelie.

Al wheels are a dream. I've come to dread steelies.

 

[Eric29]

I used this to remove about 40 tires from rims after my father passed on and I had to get rid of the tires and junk the rims. It was quite a workout, but it got the job done. I can't say that it was easy.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have their (No Mar) Tire Changer - The "Classic" model with a trailer hitch mount instead of the floor mount and it has more than paid for itself (I used to ride about 20k miles a year and went through a lot of tires over the years

https://www.nomartirechanger.com/Classic_Model_Motorcycle_Tire_Changer_p/tc-classic.htm

Man, I have wanted one of those for YEARS. I just can not justify the cost. Of course, I have not been able to justify the cost of the HF one either !

 

[theoldwizard1]

Video : Changing semi truck tires

In the field, very few tools. On filmed in "real time" but damn this guys is fast ! Notice the quick stab with the back foot on the tire opposite the side where he has the tire iron. This is to get that part of the bead down into the "drop center".

TECHNIQUE !!

 

[outlawz2004]

I have had mine over ten years, mounted/dismounted dozens and dozens of tires. From 13" all the way up to 22" wheels, and a few small atv wheels too. The biggest tire size I have done is 33". Once you learn how to use it, you can do a set fairly quickly. Be prepared to sweat a little though.

 

[Git]

Man, I have wanted one of those for YEARS. I just can not justify the cost. Of course, I have not been able to justify the cost of the HF one either !

Being able to buy the tires over the internet (at a pretty good savings versus a dealer) having them delivered directly to your house and then being able to mount and balance them yourself really adds up. I was going through 2 -3 sets a tires a year and it is normally around $20 per tire to mount - most places won't mount them unless you buy the tires from them...

Anyways - I really like the 'hitch mount' that NoMar has:

 

[ndnchf]

Has anyone made a hitch mount for the HF tire changer? I'd like to see photos of how it was done.

 

[ndnchf]

I saw this hitch mount online. Seems like a pretty, simple and solid design.

 

[Greeny]

How are their bubble balancers?

I'm happy with mine. Used it to balance tire sets on both cars and trucks. It's part of the overall workout, especially with 17" truck tires. Lifting those tires/wheels on and off the mounter and on and off the balancer is tough. You need to set the tires on the balancer carefully, dragging out the burn.

 

[Greeny]

Has anyone made a hitch mount for the HF tire changer? I'd like to see photos of how it was done.

I can't figure out how to load pics here, but I just welded a cheap receiver to the mount. I stuck a piece of 2x2 in my truck hitch, slid the cheap receiver onto the 2x2 at the other end, sat the mounter where I wanted it and welded the mounter and receiver together. Super quick and easy.
The only glitch I've run into is if the truck isn't parked on level ground, the mounter can't slide right on if the ground is sloping up from the rear of the truck. I can usually just lift on the 2x2 and work the mounter on, then it's even more securely planted.

 

[ndnchf]

I can't figure out how to load pics here, but I just welded a cheap receiver to the mount. I stuck a piece of 2x2 in my truck hitch, slid the cheap receiver onto the 2x2 at the other end, sat the mounter where I wanted it and welded the mounter and receiver together. Super quick and easy.
The only glitch I've run into is if the truck isn't parked on level ground, the mounter can't slide right on if the ground is sloping up from the rear of the truck. I can usually just lift on the 2x2 and work the mounter on, then it's even more securely planted.

Thanks Greeny, that sounds simple enough.

BTW, uploading photos is easy. After drafting your post, look below it for the "manage attachments" button. Click that, then click on "chose file", then "upload. Then you can close that box and preview your post to see the photo. I think there is a photo size limit, not sure what it is. I size mine under 200K and it works fine.

 

[gungatim]

How are their bubble balancers?

good. work just fine. I have one and will find where to put the weight with it, but then I always add airsoft beads to finish it off. I've tried buying used older bubble balancers but they always sell for more at auctions and farm sales than the new HF one so I got that instead. there's really not much to a bubble balancer...

 

[Jd34]

Ended up getting one of these but no garage floor mount, no trailer floor mount, no wood pallet mount, no trailer hitch mount....

Put it behind the garage on a tree stump. Works great and takes up no room in the garage.

 

[Ign]

Just used mine today to mount 25x11x12 and 25x10x12 on a Polaris Ranger. Man those beads seat hard and with a BANG

edit: had to drill a single 5/16” hole in the round plate to drop a 1/4” bolt into one of the wheel mounting holes to keep the wheel from spinning. The provided rod is to big too fit any hole in the wheel. Worked great, though

 

[theoldwizard1]

ended up getting one of these but no garage floor mount, no trailer floor mount, no wood pallet mount, no trailer hitch mount....

Put it behind the garage on a tree stump. Works great and takes up no room in the garage.

i like it !!

 

[Brand X]

The Harbor Freight model is very popular with the motorcycle community. Although I do not have one, I believe a popular upgrade is to buy the NoMar mount/demount bar to avoid scratching your rims (if that is an issue)

Their Tire lube is really good stuff too.. I just use spoons for my motorcycle work, and Mark Parnes Balancer parts..

http://www.marcparnes.com/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZA9QWS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I looked at a HF one, and though maybe using scarp metal I had laying around would build a better one. Best tool in my shop, and I have a few good ones too.. The old bent motorcycle fork tube is where I started. Also had some Channel that goes on my H frame lift, and put it to use in it's spare time..

So Nomar bar/Bead seat tube, tank,decent tire spoons like from Ken Tool make life easy.. I just modded the Tire bead breaker last night, and it's killer now.. I will be buying a real balancer, and will be keeping my manual tire machine.Does not take up any space..Even made a lube tank holder, but it cracked a while ago.. Spray bottle with diluted nomar goop works well there..

I vote if you have a garage, and use it, build something.. I could add 65 tons hyd. power to the bead breaker, but yet to find a tire bead, I can't break down manually. Just add leverage. Mod. really made it super easy now..