How to inflate a wheelbarrow tire?

[Andy in Fink]

Before you put in a tube, feel around the inside of the tire to see if any pins, thorns, nails, or staples will present any rough points to the tube, or you will have the same problem again. Often in a lawn tractor, for instance, there are so many thorns and stickers that you can't get them all out, so the liquid tire sealer is the best approach.

Regarding seating the tire on the rim after the bead has broken:

I haven't done this myself, but have heard of it being done. Take out the valve core and squirt a few teaspoons of gasoline into the tire. Wait a minute, and light it with a match. The resulting small explosion will expand the tire to the rim, where a compressor might not put out the volume to overcome the leaks... I've heard that Mexican mechanics use this technique a lot, without problems. Someday I might try it......

Andy in Fink, Texas

[m Ransley]

I knew someone would take about putting in gasoline sooner or later , I will bet you just get a fire. Its not the same as either-sterting fluid

[zxcvbob]

How about acetylene?

Best regards, Bob

[Jim85CJ]

[Jim85CJ]

[Toller]

I tightened a piece of webbing around it, and put some air in. It was that easy. Thanks all.

[ameijers]

All this falls in the life is too damn short category. If rest of wheelbarrow is intact, throw in trunk, and take to tire store that does tractors and stuff. Tire is likely dry rotted, since people that sell wheelbarrows and other garden stuff use cheapest tires on earth. For 20 bucks or so, they can put on a real tire, and even foam-fill it if you want(for more money, of course), and you never have to think about it again. Had them put 2 air-filled tires on my hand truck five years ago, to replace the east european originals that went flat monthly, and they are still holding air. Money well spent. Alternative solution- tractor supply place often has pre-mounted barrow tires at a decent price, if you can match the hub size, and get the rusty bolts undone.

aem sends....

[Roger]

I just got sick and tired of finding the tire flat, so I bought a foam filled solid tire at Home Depot, and slipped it on the old axle.. Works like a champ.

[Shrek]

[jack-cough]

You sound like the kind of guy who is good at blowing. Pretend that tire is your gay boyfriends c*ck, and blow real hard.

[default]

Wrap a rope or a belt around the tire, longways, and cinch it tight.. this ought to force the bead out until it seals against the wheel-rim, at which point you can inflate it part way, then take the rope off, and finish.

--Goedjn

[Don]

And if it doesn't, go to your nearest tire store and get a tube installed. Then you won't have the problem again.

Don