So the old Cub needed a new tire on the front...so I decided to change all four.

Found a nice deal on-line for both sizes (front and back) and decided to tackle the front first.

Now, back about 5-6 years I had some slow leaks and used Slime on one of the front tires. It helped and I only needed to add air about once a month.

I could not remember which one had the slime so I picked the left front and started.

I removed the internals of the Schrader valve to deflate...

What happened next was epic. As I pulled the internals, a gush of the most putrid, nasty smelling goo flew out all over me and my garage. The smell immediately filled the whole garage and I started gagging.

This was like someone puked in my tire...added a few sardines, some putrid oil, and then let it roll around in a hot tire for 5 years.

Next was wrangling with tire irons while this smell permeated everything within a 15ft radius.

It was like a scene from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom where Stan is wrestling the Python.

Ive gotten old and wrestling a tire off and onto a rim is more difficult than I remember...even with the proper tire irons.

Needless to say, I was soaked in putrid and sweat...for one 16in tire.

I still smell that smell...forever burned into my sinuses.

...Im not looking forward to the back ones as they are bigger...

...and one has Slime in it...I can't remember which side.

...maybe I'll wait until Spring to do the rears...

The bigger the rim and cross section the easier they are to change. If you have 10" or 12" rims on the rear you'll be fine.

quote:

Originally posted by Krazeehorse:
The bigger the rim and cross section the easier they are to change. If you have 10" or 12" rims on the rear you'll be fine.

Man I hope so...thanks

Well worth going to Fleet & Farm for me-just not worth the aggravation trying to change those small tires. Money well spent, I do believe.

Link to original video: https://youtu.be/H65znBgIVwQ

Less than $50 last time I checked, and worth every penny. Can't help ya with the slime tho...

EDIT: From Harbor Freight, in case that wasn't obvious.

Thank you for the video!

Slight drift: is that an LX176 in the background?

quote:

It was like a scene from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom where Stan is wrestling the Python.

BTW that's Jim Fowler. RIP
Changed out lawn mower tires before and its not fun at ALL.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
Thank you for the video!

Slight drift: is that an LX176 in the background?

178. Water-cooled Kawasaki Twin. Bought new in 1995, still running strong. Other than the 3 B's (Belts, Blades and Batteries) all I've ever done is replace the carb.

I was close.

As you seem to be the Tractor Guru, may I email you this weekend about a problem with my 176?

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
I was close.

As you seem to be the Tractor Guru, may I email you this weekend about a problem with my 176?

Soitenly!

Put "SigForum" or something in the subject line so I know it's not spam.

Will do, sir, thank you.

Did the tires on the Turf Tiger a few years back. We have all sorts of manual tire equipment for working on the tractor tires. No problem.

Trying to get the 23-10.5-12 drive tires on those wheels was a bitch. After I nearly lost a finger or two, I said to hell with this and tossed the wheels and tires in the truck for a quick trip to the local NTB.

It took them over an hour and at least two techs working on it to get them on. It got to the point that they were more into the challenge and ended up not even charging me for it. (It was a slow day and they were bored.)

Replaced the front casters with solid tires this year. Never have to change those again, at least.

-Rob

Sorry that you can't unsmell that stuff.

I highly recommend putting inner tubes in any small tire that you have taken off of the small wheel.

quote:

Originally posted by bcereuss:
Well worth going to Fleet & Farm for me-just not worth the aggravation trying to change those small tires. Money well spent, I do believe.

If you do, you might want to warn them in advance of that one remaining tire with the goo.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
If you do, you might want to warn them in advance of that one remaining tire with the goo.

Absolutely, unless you like hearing a tech in the shop start cussing like a sailor!

Lots of shops won't touch a tire that's been slimed for the very reason you experienced.

Traveled to a local mom/pop tire shop this morning to have a front tire off of my ztr mower repaired. Noticed it yesterday afternoon while mowing that it had a broken sidewall bead. Even with the high volume of air avalable they had trouble getting the bead to reseat. If I would have had a spray can of starter fluid on hand maybe could have done it myself. Reinstalled and all is well. ............................... drill sgt.