Purchasing Tire Irons

sflem849 · Feb 13, 2010

I was looking at tire irons at Northern Tool yesterday and they all looked like toys more than tools. Where does a guy go to get GOOD, BIG spoons for use on tractor and implement tires? Cost?

On a side note, can you make your own bead breaker? Those things are pricey, too!

RodinNS · Feb 13, 2010

I get mine at the local truck parts supply. 36" bars are probably in the 40 buck range each and the bead maul is 90-100 bucks.
I can't remember the name on either one right now but they're US made and good quality...

Rod

Dean · Feb 13, 2010

I bought two good, long tire irons from Gemplers.

I use a slide hammer to break beads. A good one can be bought for around $125.

Dean

Dalex · Feb 13, 2010

I've always used a pair of Ken Tool T45 tools they are about $60 ea. and are avilable from Myers Tire Supply. They are a big nat'l co with stores in major cities . Google their website for locations. If you are friendly with a tire dealer , he prolly has an acc't with them . which will get a much better price there, hint hint .....

old · Feb 13, 2010

The best place to go to buy them is would you believe to the guys that do it for a living. Ya they will have to order them for you but you will then get the real pro. tools that will out last you and if taken care of out last your sons sons. Ya you will also pay a nice price but there worth it guess how I know LOL

sflem849 · Feb 13, 2010

(quoted from post at 09:55:03 02/13/10) The best place to go to buy them is would you believe to the guys that do it for a living. Ya they will have to order them for you but you will then get the real pro. tools that will out last you and if taken care of out last your sons sons. Ya you will also pay a nice price but there worth it guess how I know LOL

I was just there this morning to get my wife's tires rotated. I should have asked!!! I am pretty tight with them so I would bet they could get me some tools.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 13, 2010

I got a bunch at farm estate auctions, once, I bought a whole bucket full for $ 75.00, took all the long ones, and sold the rest to a neighbor, for $75.00!

Bigmarvfrom Ga · Feb 13, 2010

Agri supply use to be about the cheapest

CCer · Feb 13, 2010

I made my own bead breaker. Took an old digging/pry bar about 4ft.long and about an inch or so diameter, and cleaned it up on both ends, pointy end, broad and dull, head end, removed the mushroom. Then I found a piece of thick wall pipe, about 2 feet long, that would fit over the bar, Drilled a hole thru the pipe about 2 1/2" from one end of the pipe, put a good 1/2" bolt with nut thru the hole. slide the pipe over the bar and go to it.
Set the broad and dull end of the bar next to the rim on the deflated tire, With both hands, raise the pipe, and slam it down 'till the bolt hits the bar. Repeat around the tire until loose.
Could telescope some pipe together if needed more weight.
As for the other irons make them up from old spring leaves/plies. Cut to length, just weld a handle on one end.

JR.Frye · Feb 13, 2010

I know you will laugh at me but that is ok: I went and bought a slide hammer wood splitter worked the head over so it would not cut the tire and it works greaaat.
JR.Frye

barn E · Feb 13, 2010

Best tire irons I ever had were from my dad. He used them in the 30's. Nothing but old spring leaves, cut to suit. Flat steel never slips out of your hand like the round ones. Never used any others. Getting old might have to give it up soon.

Crem · Feb 13, 2010

CCer, thanks for the ideas. I am going to make one of those slide hammer bead breakers when I get a chance.

Kruse · Feb 13, 2010

At a place I worked at a few years ago, we used a torch and a metal forge and we made our own. They were the best that I had seen.

PJH · Feb 13, 2010

I made a bead breaker for tractor tires out of an old wood splitting wedge. One of the old ones with a blade about 4" wide. I welded a 3' piece of pipe on the side for a handle. I picked a wedge that wasn't real sharp.

A vertical log splitter makes a dandy bead breaker, especially if you're doing several tires, and they are not on the vehicle. I put a piece of oak 2X4 under the cutting edge and proceed carefully. Don't let the cutting edge hit the steel rim - it'll go right through it. From experience.

Paul

Lee in Iowa · Feb 14, 2010

I made a bead breaker out of some 1 inch hex shaft from a cornhead by heating and shaping one end the way I wanted it. I just use a steel post driver for the slide hammer. I made most of my tire irons out of old pry bars that had a bad nail slot or bought on a sale for a dollar or two. They work just as good as the one I paid big money for.

JR.Frye · Feb 14, 2010

I for got to tell you guys old steel tire wrenchs
work great to:
JR.Frye

jose bagge · Feb 16, 2010

google up "Myers tire supply"

sflem849 · Feb 16, 2010

That's a lot of suggestions! Thanks guys and keep them coming!!!

Purchasing Tire Irons

sflem849

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RodinNS

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Dean

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Dalex

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old

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sflem849

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Anonymous-0

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Bigmarvfrom Ga

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CCer

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JR.Frye

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barn E

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PJH

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Lee in Iowa

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