Changing 23.1x26 rear tyres.

Bill from Scotland · Jun 15, 2010

I have just located a pair of good used rear tyres for my Maasey 97, they were on a Combine. I need to change them over to the tractor. I have tried a few local tyre shops but none of them seem interested in doing the work, they keep saying this will be very difficult and will need 2or 3 men and some lifting equipment. Am I likely to manage this on my own or is this out of the question? Will the tyres be very difficult to force over the wheel rim assuming I manage to break the tyres away from the rim bead. Any suggestions welcome.
Thnaks
BiLL

Curt Cooke · Jun 15, 2010

It's all just labor. The reason we non-tire folks wind up exhausted and bloody is because we don't do it regularly and we some times lack the tools. Sounds like maybe you're approaching the wrong guys - anybody in the agricultural tire business would make fast work of what you're trying to do.

John (C-IL) · Jun 15, 2010

Yep, my tire man doesn't even break a sweat on tire that size. I'm afraid the service call to Scottland would be a little excessive though. My experience has been that the larger the tire the easier they go on and off of the rim, providing you have the proper equipment.

Eldo case · Jun 15, 2010

The last bead is the tough one on a 26" rim. Don't let the tire cock on the rim when taking the last bead off the rim or you will not have enough room to get the bead off. It would help to have a helper because the tire is so wide. I have done several. A 38" tire is easier. Just like a 8" tire is harder to take off a rim then a larger tire.

Iowa_tire_guy · Jun 15, 2010

One of the few sizes I hate to do. On tires the smaller the diameter rim the harder they are to do so I would change a 30.5-32 anytime before a 23.1-26. They are doable but use a lot of lube and you may find that whatever you pay a tire man to do it would be worth it.

Brad Gyde · Jun 16, 2010

I'm with everyone else, It can be done, but can be a touch tricky. The proper tools make it a lot easier.

Our local "tire guy" won't do the combine tires, but he'll do standard tractor tires... So I've done a couple myself a couple times.

I have a hammer style bead breaker, plus a slide-hammer style, and a couple big "spoons" and no problem.. The first time it took me a couple hours, the second time I was much better at it. (of course, the first time I had to take the rim off the combine, the second time I just left it on to change the tube)

Brad

Anonymous-0 · Jun 16, 2010

Bill I spent 20+ years in the ag tire business. The 23.1x26 is the hardest farm tire to change. If you take it off, make sure you take it off the right side of the rim, have plenty of tire lube, not soap, it is not slick enough, a 4 to 5 lb hammer and the right tire irons. If you can borrow or rent a bead breaker it will be a big help. Good Luck.

Changing 23.1x26 rear tyres.

Bill from Scotland

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Curt Cooke

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John (C-IL)

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Eldo case

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Iowa_tire_guy

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Brad Gyde

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Anonymous-0

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