Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[bmaverick]

Ive changed a few tires with mine also. Works but it is a manual tire changer. Requires some effort. [emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]]
It needs to be anchored firmly and there are a few mods that you can buy that appears to make it much more user friendly.

I've watch 4 YT vids on it, even a H-F review person doing large truck tires.

I learned some tricks or home garage extra tools that make the chore less grunt work.

I do know the floor legs benefit from longer square tube extensions. I have 8FT of this already to cut to size it.

Will this tool work for many years or is this a toss away when done?

 

[bcp]

How easy is it to use? Will it work on a small front tractor tire (18x8.50-10)?

I only used it on 15 inch rims.

Bruce

 

[bmaverick]

How large is center hole on rim? It need to be about 2" minimum. If that is the case, it'll work. Takes some practice and sol8d anchoring. I've done a couple 15" trailer tires with mine.

About 2-1/4-ish for the metric Yanmar rims.

 

[psvfd]

I have used it for 15" tires and 12" trailer tires. Gotta be anchored solid!

 

[Runner]

Sixtyfiveford has a a good video on using this changer, also talks about some mods that make it work better.

 

[Topzide]

I made some pressure treated legs that I can bolt on and off. That really helps! Some have bolted to a pallet as well. If you can bolt down on concrete, works much better. Remember to use a bead lube, not just soda and water. The bead lube helps in getting the bead to seat.

 

[flyerdan]

A permanent mount where you can get all around it would eat up too much floor space, so I made a quick slide on base for one of my fork extensions. Doesn't take long to set up, is solid enough to use easily and tucks away in little space when not in use, which of course is most of the time.

 

[KubotainNH]

I've done a bunch of tires with mine, I've beefed up some areas that were starting to bend from use. I also added a duck bill to aid in removal of the tire, there's tons of YT vids on mods for these. I put threaded anchors in cement to mount but actually have it bolted to a thick 3x10 right now as I used it to replace some TPMS sensors. This is good enough to break the bead but wouldn't cut it for removing a tire from the rim. Small tires are generally tougher to get off a rim but if just adding a tube then all you need is to break the bead which is pretty simple with this machine. Soapy water helps.

 

[bcp]

A permanent mount where you can get all around it would eat up too much floor space, so I made a quick slide on base for one of my fork extensions. Doesn't take long to set up, is solid enough to use easily and tucks away in little space when not in use, which of course is most of the time.
View attachment 3839603View attachment 3839603

I did that with mine at first, then put in some concrete anchors. Just find them, blow them out when ready to use it.

Bruce

 

[bmaverick]

Sixtyfiveford has a a good video on using this changer, also talks about some mods that make it work better.

Thanks, that is a great find for the video. Even knowing there is a tool for balancing. I've learn more with this YT vid than many of the others.

His mods are very useful too.