Gauge Wheels

[rScotty]

Our landscape rake has two guage wheels running Carlisle 11x4.00-5 tubeless tires on steel rims @ 45 psi.
It's time for new tires - the old ones are too weather cracked to continue - and I realized I haven't the slightest idea of how much force it takes to mount these type tires. I've never done one. My guess is riding mowers use the same tires. Do people mount these themselves? Frankly, the old ones look like they could be a wrasling match to dismount they are that old.

On Amazon, I see that solid rubber tires mounted on wheels and with bearings don't cost any more than these tubeless tires...and that seems odd. What am I missing?
rScotty

 

[oldnslo]

The gauge wheels in the picture appear to be bolt together rims. If that is true they shouldn’t be to hateful to dismount and remount new tires. Not sure what is used to seal the rim halves together though

 

[rScotty]

Well, that's what I wondered... and am hoping. Because I agree they do have some of the features of split rims. Here are some closeups of one wheel taken from each side. The way the wheel is built uses the 4 inner boltsl to connect the wheel dish to the bearing hub..... but what are those outer 4 bolts doing if not holding two halves of a rim together?

The Woods rake is old enough to be all US made, and the whole rake is rather nicely done in spite of being an inexpensive implement. The wheel turns on bearings breased witth a zerk, and bolts are grade 5.

Having done my share of tire busting, I someow completely avoided ever fixing this type of common 3pt implement wheel. These have probably been on that rake for 40 years. I'll disassemble them next week and then we will know.
rScotty

 

[DJ54]

For the money I'd consider these: Buy Carlstar Reliance Smooth 11x4-5 Tires | SimpleTire

Keep all of your OEM wheel assembly, just separate the rim & mount. Specs say 325 lb. load limit. I've bought more than several sets of tires through them and are delivered free to home within a couple days.

 

[oldnslo]

Please let us know how those rims and tires separate since I probably have similar design on my woods rake.

 

[Smokeydog]

Similar wheels on the woods finish mower except they are flat free, solid rubber type. Not as much cushion ride as pneumatic tire but durable. Have replaced the tire assemblies from wear, especially the rear that sees the mower discharge after twenty years.

Little tires can be a bugger to change. Changed dry rotted tires on a log splitter was a real wrestling match.

 

[Carl_NH]

That appears to be a split rim and tube setup which makes sense for these small wheels/tires. The smaller diameter can be real PIA to get off the rims, then reseated if tubeless, but you should not have an issue with the split rim/tube setup.

But, I agree, replacing them with a solid tire is best, or buying a solid tire/rim at HF or TSC for $15 each is probably a better/easier option.

 

[etpm]

After getting sick of flats on a trailer and a wheelbarrow I bought the flat free solid tires. They are not really solid, the interior is full of air bubbles, which makes the tire lighter and does give it some give. The tires came with the rims too. I like 'em. A lot.
Eric