Harbor Freight Tire Changer

[evil8x8]

I just bought the floor model tire changer from harbor freight(- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices)
It was on sale for $49.99 and I had a 20% off coupon. I figured it could save me some money considering how often I have to pay to have my tires demounted and cleaned after I break a bead in the mud. I haven't used it yet, but I have one question. I am planning on pouring a small concrete pad for it. I was wondering if I should leave the legs/base on it or just bolt down the base of the post? Is the upside down piece of angle iron on the one leg important for the bead breaker?

[birddog1148]

I just bought the floor model tire changer from harbor freight(- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices)
It was on sale for $49.99 and I had a 20% off coupon. I figured it could save me some money considering how often I have to pay to have my tires demounted and cleaned after I break a bead in the mud. I haven't used it yet, but I have one question. I am planning on pouring a small concrete pad for it. I was wondering if I should leave the legs/base on it or just bolt down the base of the post? Is the upside down piece of angle iron on the one leg important for the bead breaker?

The upsidedown piece of angle keeps the rim from sliding away when you break the bead. I put a brace in my concrete with allthread when I did my base. Note 3 bags were not enough, on big tough tire it wants to pull the whole pad up.

PS the catalog I got this week has the price on sale at 39.99

[JohnF]

I read here that some folks were have luck with the Harbor Freight tire changers. I have a store near my office and checked them out. The base of the mini changer
Looked like I could mount it right on my trailer with 3" square U-bolts while the other parts would be small enough to keep in a toolbox. I would have a tire changer with me wherever I happened to be. Cool eh!?

So I picked one up. I have a destroyed runamuk on an 8" rim and a used replacement to test with. Well, as others here have said, it won't break the beads easily (not at all in my case) and wants to cut the tire. Then it just plain bent. Check it out

Don't get the mini.

[jpswift1]

Thanks for the review on it, John. You just saved me and anyone else considering it, money and frustration. Try to return it, Harbor Freight is usually pretty good about it.

[micmac]

I've actually have had great luck with my mini changer. I found to break a bead the best way is to push on a spot and then release and rotate the tire slightly. Repeat this and the tire will pop off eventually with no Herculean effort. The bent piece in the center is just basic all thread and cheaply replaced.

As a side note I wish I knew where I could get those nylon spacers as they make perfect replacement rollers for the hustler chain tensioners.

Mike

[mepa2009]

I have the h.f. floor model if you leave 1-2lbs. air in tire the baed will break alot easier---------- works for me lol

[JohnF]

Try to return it, Harbor Freight is usually pretty good about it.

Yes, there was no problem.

I found to break a bead the best way is to push on a spot and then release and rotate the tire slightly. Repeat this and the tire will pop off eventually with no Herculean effort.

Yes, I tried this. And then again with more pressure - which cut the tire up but did not break the bead. And then I decided to "lean" into it and it crumbled on me. Once the breaker foot bends you are done.

The bent piece in the center is just basic all thread and cheaply replaced.

Yes, I know but "cheaply replace" is a trait I look for in the consummable part of tools.

... leave 1-2lbs. air in ...

LOL - the tire I was working with had a track tire guide go through it. Let's just say that the internal <ahem> tire pressure was ambient. Also, I would imagine that the tire had been on the wheel since 1997.

It seems like there is room in the market for something like this though. Having a simple tool on the trailer was appealing to me.

[Roger S]

Although the small model I can't recommend, I do use it and have never bent the center rod, well maybe but straightened it. What I find it needs is more of a spacer besides the two poly ones. I drop a large 3/4 drive socket on and then add the spacers. Get it tight and the rod is supported, play with the angles via the pin adjustments. Mine's still together after 10 years.. I don't like it for mounting as I stated it likes to cut the bead as it spins it on, but it works well to break a bead and clean things up. So if you have one and can't return it, maybe give it another try. Difficult beads to break.. I lube them with armor all, etc, as I hold the bead down out of the way. Take my time, let it get loosened up.