any tricks for wheel manipulations?

[ratface]

I recently did a brake job on my 1949 8N. Unfortunately I'm usually alone. I'm a really strong guy but found my unloaded tires and rims a real PITA to maneuver on and off. Getting them off was ok but putting them back on was a real chore. Took me nearly two hours to get the right side back on. It seems when you jack up the rear end it's not a straight up-down path but rather an arc since the front end is still on the ground. I was only a couple inches off the ground. I found the only way to do it alone was to get just the right amount of shim/ lumber under the wheel and then slide the wheel under the drum using the weight of the wheel to force the slide. Problem was it took forever to get it just right and each time I had to move the entire wheel back off and manipulate the jack under the rear hoping it would hit right on the next go round. There must be a better way. I know they sell tire dollies and such but was wondering if any of you have a particular procedure for putting the wheels back on by yourself with minimal aggravation. Alternatively if you have bought a tire dolly that accommodates an 8N tire width please share the specifics with me?

 

[Royse]

I use a floor jack under the tractor, set just a little low.
Roll the tire up close, turn the brake drum/axle so the lugs line up.
Then I pump the jack handle to lift the tractor to fit the rim.
No need to lift or lower the tire and rim at all. It sets on the floor.

 

[4play]

Royse has a better tip, but another way I've used is putting a pry bar or similar object under the tire to slightly lift it.

 

[OBwan]

When I'm working with the rears I use 2 large jack stands. I set them under the axles, raise the jack stand saddles up close to the axle and use a floor jack under the differential. I break the torque on the nuts then raise the axle enough that the wheel turns, loosen and remove the lug nuts, push on the top of the tire to get it free then slowly lower the axle till the tire is free and pull it slightly out and roll it away from the tractor. The axle should rest securely on the jack stand. To install I roll the tire so it rests on the hub. You may have to move it around so the holes in the rims line up with the studs on the hub. Jack up slowly and as the top stud aligns with the hole let it seat then raise slightly so the other studs can slide thru the holes. If there is enough threads showing start a lug nut so the tire stays put. After all the studs are in the holes on the rim, jack the tire up, install the rest of the lug nuts, tighten then lower till it has some weight on it and make sure everything is seated and centered then tighten as needed.

May not be the best way but it works for me. I am real careful with loaded tires as once the center of gravity shifts all you can do is get out of the way. Have a place in mind you can lean then up against.

 

[Kirk-NJ]

I do it with a floor jack working one side at a time. Once you get the tire off drop down the jack a few inches. When ready to install roll the tire in place then with a big crowbar under the tire thread lugs then move the tire back or forth to line up with the studs. Jack it a bit at a time until the hole fall on to the studs. Once you can get a couple of lug nuts on jack up a little bit more and push the bottom side of tire into place. No shimming of tire.
One thing you what to keep in mind is to have the crowbar within reach once you start moving the tire over to mount

 

[Ultradog MN]

Use your jack, not your back.
Do it like Royse and Kirk do - lift the tractor to fit the rim, not the other way around.

 

[showcrop]

If you go to the tractor-truck tire store and watch you will see how the pros do it. They take a spoon/bar and slip it under the tire, then one hand on the tire and the other on the handle end of the bar. Push down to lift the tire just enough, sideways to adjust the wheel side to side, when it lines up just a little push to get it on. My bud who works there does it in maybe five seconds, even loaded.

 

[Dean]

I do it routinely in seconds, loaded or otherwise.

Not sure why you are having such difficulty....

I use a bottle jack under the drawbar bracket (axle trumpet would work), properly positioned such that I can reach the jack while at the same time steadying the wheel.

Dean

 

[tractorguy2]

I use my cheery picker.

 

[CJarvis]

(quoted from post at 21:34:23 03/27/18) Royse has a better tip, but another way I've used is putting a pry bar or similar object under the tire to slightly lift it.

What he said.

 

[ArleninOr]

RF, get somebody else to do it for you. That's what I do.

 

[L.Fure]

(quoted from post at 01:44:18 03/29/18) RF, get somebody else to do it for you. That's what I do.

That's the way I do it. My check book is the tool I use for any tire work that needs to be done around here.

 

[nashranch]

(quoted from post at 07:00:49 03/28/18) I use my cheery picker.

The Cherry picker and a nylon strap work perfectly for lifting loaded tires and wheels

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton...iMTg5Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p ZCI6Ijk1NTYifQ==

 

[ScoutB]

(quoted from post at 00:17:00 03/28/18) I use a floor jack under the tractor, set just a little low.
Roll the tire up close, turn the brake drum/axle so the lugs line up.
Then I pump the jack handle to lift the tractor to fit the rim.
No need to lift or lower the tire and rim at all. It sets on the floor.

I put my loaded tires on that way last fall by myself - no problem. Block the front wheels though, a moving target is not what you want.

 

[showcrop]

A loaded tire project can go downhill real quick if you have a helper. You are both trying to balance it, one on each side, each one feels that it is starting to come over on top of him. Both push harder until one wins........and the other loses.

 

[ratface]

I appreciate all the clever responses. It can only get easier from here now,
thanks everyone!

 

[davyfireball]

I had chains on my tires I use a floor jack for the axle and put my chain hoist on the tire chain. It doesn't hurt to pray before you start!