OT-Trailer wheel/rim question

[E.B. Haymakin']

A while back I was crying about not being able to find a tire place that would mount new tires on an old rim. The rim is off a 1950 something Miller Tilt Top trailer I use for hay hauling to/from the field. I found a place yesterday that said they would try. What puzzled me is what was discussed about the rim, of three employees none had the same opinion-ran from we can do it, to we can"t. They all disgreed on this being a "split rim" or it being a "lock ring type rim" either way I thought either was too dangerous to work on. They have one of the rims, and I haven"t heard back if they are going to do it. SO, what is the difference-"lock ring" or "split-rim"?

 

[Anonymous-0]

Split rim comes apart in the middle, lock rim only the edge comes off. Both have a bad history of decapitating the tire guy while inflating if the locks aren't anchored well and the air pressure pushes the rim apart at high speed. At the least they need proper tools to get either apart and back together, a remote valve on the air hose, and an approved cage to inflate in that is strong enough (usually about 3" pipe) to catch the flying pieces if the rim comes apart.

Because of the need for special tools not used otherwise few shops will do these rims and if their insurance company knew about it even fewer would, because there is that hazzard of the rims coming apart sometime later out in the field or on the road.

Gerald J.

 

[paul]

Was at an ag consignment auction a few years ago, was a lot of coop leftovers there. One was a big cage, like maybe 2 cattle could fit in, built of square tubing. Seemed odd, no one could figure out what it was built for, strange dimentions. When it came up, was a tire cage for inflating those big huge tires on the big fertilizer buggies.

--->Paul

 

[thurlow]

There were also at least 2 different kinds of lock rims; I've still got some of the 'later' kind that splits, i.e., doesn't make a complete circle. I'm not as afraid of them, although I always lock the chuck on and go around the corner of the shop 'til it seats. Had a '53 3/4 ton Chevy where the lock rim didn't split.........was a complete circle. It just had to be twisted/prized on; I was deathly afraid of them, under any circumstances.

 

[Chad Franke]

Split rim splits in the middle, where you can't see if it's seated or not, called a suicide rim and good luck getting anyone to touch it. They've been known to almost be seated, put on the vehicle, and jack let down, THEN they unseat...

Lock ring wheels are common still, used on big trucks and big loaders, anything with a really stiff sidewall tire that won't go over a bead. A ring goes into a groove on the wheel, you can see when it is seated (before inflating). Still need to use a safety cage for initial inflation, but any tire shop who works on big trucks won't hesitate to work on them.

 

[Don-Wi]

Is it a common size that you would be able to replace with a normal rim? That way you wouldn't have to worry about finding a shop that'll do it or about it coming apart on you.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[jose bagge]

What rim diameter ( probably 16"?) and how many lugs? Let's get you into some later model stuff that will be both safer and tubeless

 

[E.B. Haymakin']

Thanks for shedding light on this. I believe this is a lock ring type wheel/rim. I asked the service writer about finding new rims/wheels, and he felt it would be too much trouble. I am going to take tire still on it off, and see if one one of my 11L16"s or what ever is on the 479 haybine may fit that axle on the trailer. The centers look close, but I haven"t put a measuring tape on it. If I get a digital camera I will try to post pictures. This trailer on on axle with dual tires, it is set up just like a dual wheel pickup. I thought for a while tire/wheels off of a F450 may interchange, but they don"t. The trailer has 6 lugs, not eight. These are also heavy truck tires just like those on a F450-550 series truck. Thanks again for explaining the differences.

 

[Roy in georgia]

you could go to a commercial truck repair shop they should be able to do it or point you to someone that can. If you see one of the mobile tire repair trucks ask him the older guys in those trucks prob. changed a few if you were close to me or Atlanta I could get it done

 

[jose bagge]

try late model GM 1500 truck- 16" tubeless, 6 on 5.5" bolt pattern should go on it.Junk yard should be full of 'em