HFT manual tire changer

[LA1]

Hi I bought one of the HFT manual tire changers. Has anyone used one of these before and did you like the tire changer. I plan to make a concrete block outside in the ground with 4 threaded studs sticking up to bolt the tire changer on and remove when not using.

 

[kkinla]

I don't like the flimsy bead breaker. you need to use a lot of tire lube when removing and installing tires and it is a struggle with low profile tires.

 

[Falcon67]

Buy a real tire spoon or two from Northern. I've used mine a couple of times but it really needs to be bolted to the earth to work. Last time I tried to mount some slicks, I ended up at the tire store and for $20 it was hassle free. I do use the **** out of the little one for ATV/mower tires. Mesquite trees hate tires. And I hate tires.

 

[vpd66]

I've had one for years and love it. I'd say its one of HFT's best buys. Like said, mount it firmly. Look into a Nomar tire tool (or make a copy) ands use some good tire lube. With a little practice you can get good with it. Watch some youtube videos for techniques.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I don't think your concrete blocks will work. First you need solid concrete, not hollow blocks. Second, there is a lot of upward force at times and they could pull the block right out of the ground. They are usable (barely) when bolted to a 4'x4' sheet of 3/4 plywood that you can stand on.

Manual Tire Changer Comparison - Harbor Freight 69686 vs. Northern Tool 13474

Next the mount/demount bar that come with both units is fine for steel rims. If you have aluminum or chrome rims, they are almost guaranteed to scratch them. Save your money and buy a No-Mar Mount/Demount Bar. The plastic tips (that have a lifetime guarantee) prevent scratches. (See attachment)

Tire lube is the most important item. Old fashioned Murphy's Oil Soap gel works well and is not expensive.


Last, watch some of the No-Mar videos on YouTube. Even though you don't have their machine, some of the tips they show for unmounting and mounting tires, especially wide tires, are INVALUABLE ! Their special tools are nice, but you can do the same with small blocks of hardwood (maple or oak).

 

[IOWNJUNK]

I have the changer from Tractor Supply, pretty sure it's the same thing. Works great for steel wheels, just be careful on alloys, you can put tape or something on the bar to keep scratches down but a decent bar isn't a bad idea. Theres another thread in here about these changers where someone reinforced the bead breaker.

 

[donthelegend]

I've only used mine a couple times but it works fine for trailer and light truck tires... Not sure I'd want to try mounting lower profile tires with it but I don't have a need for that so I don't worry about it.

As noted, you need a SOLID base to mount it to.

 

[Dugan]

I have a post on here about how I made my tire changer portable, It can be found in my garage thread in my Sig. Mine mounts to my hitch on my truck. I also show my reinforcements on my bead breaker. I just recently snapped the rim holding pin. So time to figure out my next upgrade.

 

[stikman56]

Hi I bought one of the HFT manual tire changers. Has anyone used one of these before and did you like the tire changer. I plan to make a concrete block outside in the ground with 4 threaded studs sticking up to bolt the tire changer on and remove when not using.

My complaints are the bead breaker is too weak and you have to bolt the thing down or it's useless. Works pretty well though,we've done lots and lots of tires with ours.

 

[IOWNJUNK]

Scroll down to the bottom of this at the gussets on the bead breaker. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259129

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Guess I'm in the minority as far as mounting. Mine is bolted to a 4' x 4' piece of 3/4 plywood. I'm standing on the plywood when removing or installing a tire so the forces cancel out.

I do have a few different tools (a No-mar and a Mojo for rim's I don't want scratched). The HF bar works fine on old steel wheels where scratches don't matter.

 

[MScott]

Scroll down to the bottom of this at the gussets on the bead breaker. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259129

I reinforced my bead breaker by slotting two short pieces of steel pipe and hammering them down over the breaker arms. Haven't even needed to weld them. My tire changer is from Princess Auto but appears to be identical.

 

[wyo george]

I've changed about 40+ tires with mine including motorcycle tires, tiny riding mower tires and up to 35" truck tires. It's done well for me. I finally got tired of my wooden base so I bolted it to a steel deck trailer I have. This lets it sit out behind the bar when I'm not using it and it's mobile in the event I buy a fixer upper that needs tires before driving home!

 

[rohartman]

I bought a Roger Kraus tire changer back in 1984 and still use it to date. I bolt it to a 4' x 4' x 1/2" piece of plywood when using it, works great. I'm not sure about the HFT but if you want something made in the USA, it's a great tool.
http://rogerkrausracing.com/pages/rkrmountingsystem.html

 

[RedneckWelder]

I've got one.

It works. Not fun, not easy, but it does get the job done.

We also have the bubble balancer, too.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I don't think your concrete blocks will work. First you need solid concrete, not hollow blocks. Second, there is a lot of upward force at times and they could pull the block right out of the ground. They are usable (barely) when bolted to a 4'x4' sheet of 3/4 plywood that you can stand on.

Manual Tire Changer Comparison - Harbor Freight 69686 vs. Northern Tool 13474

Next the mount/demount bar that come with both units is fine for steel rims. If you have aluminum or chrome rims, they are almost guaranteed to scratch them. Save your money and buy a No-Mar Mount/Demount Bar. The plastic tips (that have a lifetime guarantee) prevent scratches. (See attachment)

Tire lube is the most important item. Old fashioned Murphy's Oil Soap gel works well and is not expensive.


Last, watch some of the No-Mar videos on YouTube. Even though you don't have their machine, some of the tips they show for unmounting and mounting tires, especially wide tires, are INVALUABLE ! Their special tools are nice, but you can do the same with small blocks of hardwood (maple or oak).

I've used all of the above on motorcycles. http://www.jimvonbaden.com/Tire_Change.html

Past 300 sets of tires so far.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I don't like the flimsy bead breaker. you need to use a lot of tire lube when removing and installing tires and it is a struggle with low profile tires.

If by struggle you mean impossible then yes (without more than one person). Larger stuff with softer sidewalls shouldn't be a problem but...the diameter rating might be (16"?). Been there done that...ain't going back, let the walmart guys do it; cheap enough and I don't care enough about the balance weights coming off because they don't clean the damn rims before mounting them.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've used all of the above on motorcycles. http://www.jimvonbaden.com/Tire_Change.html

I like your "third hand" as long as it keeps the bead from slipping AND down in the "drop center" relief area.

 

[theoldwizard1]

you need to use a lot of tire lube when removing and installing tires and it is a struggle with low profile tires.

Low profile/stiff sidewall tires tires require more "technique" and a third or fourth hand.

New tires should be warm (place them in the sun).
the one and only trick yo remember is to keep the bead 180° opposite from where your bar/lever is, sufficiently pressed down into the drop center area. Extra hands or blocks of wood work pretty well. There are specialty tools ($$) that also work well.

 

[cglasgow]

Guess I'm in the minority as far as mounting. Mine is bolted to a 4' x 4' piece of 3/4 plywood. I'm standing on the plywood when removing or installing a tire so the forces cancel out.

I do have a few different tools (a No-mar and a Mojo for rim's I don't want scratched). The HF bar works fine on old steel wheels where scratches don't matter.

Mine's bolted to an old pallet. Same deal -- I'm standing on the pallet when using the tire changer.

It seems to work well enough on old MG wheels with 70- or 80-series tires. Haven't tried with anything else but it paid for itself first tire change.

 

[lat905]

I have one I used to use for motorcycle tires. I had anchors in the garage floor to mount it to. First time I used it it broke, so I welded it. Second time, same thing. After 3-4 modifications it worked ok. I use the no-mar bar and their lube. Definitely takes some technique, and low profile or sportbike tires will make you work up a sweat.

Last time around I was lazy and just let the dealer do the bike tires.

If I had it to do over I'd spend a little more and get the no-mar changer.