wheel question. split rim?

[INCase]

this is on a running gear i'm looking at.

the running gear seems to be the the more "modern" type from the 1970's and newer. however the wagon has these wheels which look like old truck wheels which makes me wonder if they are split rim type you hear horror stories about. the price is really good but if i need to get different wheels they "deal" may not be worth it real quick.

thanks.

 

[Phil T]

I don't see a split ring on it. No idea what it is. The split ring have never been a problem for me if you assemble them correctly and use a cage or chains to make sure they can't blow off and hurt someone. IMO

 

[DanielW]

Those look like three-piece rims (with the locking ring). Not modern, but not a death trap like many people believe. The real death-traps were the older two-piece rims that joined in the middle.

The ones like you had could still cause grief, but only from operator/user error. I have several wagons and a couple of old trucks with those style rims and I work on the tires all the time (because the goofball tire shops around here don't know how to work on them properly). You just have to be careful removing and installing the locking ring so it doesn't get bent (work it on/off a little bit at a time), and ensure the seat and lip where it locks is clean. Wrap a chain around it when you start inflating just in case, and watch the lock ring when you start inflating to make sure it's seating properly. I'd have no problem buying a wagon like that - looks to be solidly made. The biggest issue is that they often use tire sizes that are harder to find these days. With more modern rims you can go to any scrapyard and pick up good used truck tires for cheap. Some of those old rims need narrower or taller tires. But if the tires look good (or if it's a standard-ish size), not an issue.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Pretty grainy picture , could be one of two things:

1). The ring ends are butted together to where they can’t be seen in the picture, or

2). That is a solid ring with an oval shaped center that you slide sideways/lift off at an angle to remove.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Looks like a Chevy C60 hub

 

[Janicholson]

They could be Split rim (widowmakers). There are many styles of multi part rims. This one has A high chance of being the bad design. A widowmaker has only 2 parts. A rim section attached to the central wheel, and a similar but opposite section that is connected only to the first section. the connection is near the center (between the flanges holding the beads in place. All other "not nearly as dangerous" take apart rims have the removable parts on one rim flange and several types of retention including wheel sized snap rings and other systems.
Widowmaker rims use a small interlocking connection like fingertips on both hands pulling in opposition. The connection is almost hidden when reassembling the rim and the connection (even if not rusty or distorted) can fail to connect correctly and allow inflation pressure to litterally explode the structure. If the other response has images I will let this be enough. The Worst is the bottom left style The next worse is the top right, then the bottom right design.There are multiple actual methods to do the separation for tire removal. Jim

 

[DanielW]

Janicholson makes some good points, Could be the '2-piece advanced' rim shown in his picture. I have a thresher and grain wagon with those style rims, but I'd probably steer clear of buying anything else with them. Looking at your picture more closely, looks like they might be 7.5-20 tires. If so, I'd avoid it (unless the tires on it are in really good shape). Pretty much impossible to find used tires that size, and new 7.5 or 8.25-20 tires are quite pricey and usually have to be ordered in.

 

[Gary Mitchell]

this is on a running gear i'm looking at.

the running gear seems to be the the more "modern" type from the 1970's and newer. however the wagon has these wheels which look like old truck wheels which makes me wonder if they are split rim type you hear horror stories about. the price is really good but if i need to get different wheels they "deal" may not be worth it real quick.

thanks.

I think I'd find out if the wheel will pass inspection where you are. gm

 

[Rich'sToys]

What size are the tires?

 

[oldproudvet]

The only time split rims are a problem are when they're sloppily assembled. I use a remote filler, clip it on, slip the wheel under the axle or frame. I adj the pressure regulator to 80 so I don't have to crawl underneath with a pressure gauge. Always worked for me, since the 60s. I recently picked up a tire "cage" for inflating this type of wheel. $20 at auction. Be sure and follow the above instructions, as listed by several members to reassemble. My 2 bits. Larry

 

[paul]

this is on a running gear i'm looking at.

the running gear seems to be the the more "modern" type from the 1970's and newer. however the wagon has these wheels which look like old truck wheels which makes me wonder if they are split rim type you hear horror stories about. the price is really good but if i need to get different wheels they "deal" may not be worth it real quick.

thanks.

As mentioned by most, this appears to be the split RING style which is safe enough to use as one can visually inspect it as you assemble it. Always need to be careful and understand safety with any type of tire work, use a cage or chains or otherwise contained and be away from it as it airs up the first time…. There will we a visible seam around the edge, with various designs of a ring or rings on the shoulder of the rim to lock together. Nothing wrong with those type.

The split RIM type that has a hump around the center of the rim and it splits in 2 like an Oreo cookie are the widow makers. You can not see if you have them assembled right. Many tire shops no longer work on them, as insurance companies don’t cover working on them. Your pic is hard to tell, I don’t think it is one of these but can’t be 100%.

Paul

 

[Rich'sToys]

The reason I asked about tire size is if they are 19.5 or 22.5, they are possibly 1 piece rims. If so, then nothing to worry about.

 

[rustred]

What size are the tires?

that looks the old 825 or 900x20 tires on the older trucks quite common in the 60's ,there was no 1/2" rim sizes then.

 

[used red MN]

Not a great photo but it looks to me like it has a split in the lock ring at about 9 o’clock.

 

[bc]

If it has a split ring then there will be an inch or so wide flat lip spot bent outwards on the rim so you can insert a pry bar under the ring to take it off and it should be where the ends of the ring are. That is not the widow maker but can still be dangerous if the ring and seat aren't cleaned up with a wire brush, plenty of WD to dissolve the rust, soap solution on the bead, etc. I use a clip on air chuck so I don't have have my hand and body close when airing it up. Tap the ring with a hammer to check that it is snug and not about to blow off. When you are sure it is seated then check the pressure and finish airing it up. I always stand to the side. These were common on 20 inch semi trailer wheels.

What I like about those is that you can jack it up and remove the tire and tube without taking the rim off the vehicle if the tire bead isn't stuck on it.

Wheel looks like it is faded International red which may be an old truck tire.

 

[INCase]

Those look like three-piece rims (with the locking ring). Not modern, but not a death trap like many people believe. The real death-traps were the older two-piece rims that joined in the middle.

The ones like you had could still cause grief, but only from operator/user error. I have several wagons and a couple of old trucks with those style rims and I work on the tires all the time (because the goofball tire shops around here don't know how to work on them properly). You just have to be careful removing and installing the locking ring so it doesn't get bent (work it on/off a little bit at a time), and ensure the seat and lip where it locks is clean. Wrap a chain around it when you start inflating just in case, and watch the lock ring when you start inflating to make sure it's seating properly. I'd have no problem buying a wagon like that - looks to be solidly made. The biggest issue is that they often use tire sizes that are harder to find these days. With more modern rims you can go to any scrapyard and pick up good used truck tires for cheap. Some of those old rims need narrower or taller tires. But if the tires look good (or if it's a standard-ish size), not an issue.

yeah i wondered about the size too. not sure if i can get there to look at it soon enough before it sells.

 

[INCase]

thanks for the info.

i'll see if i can get up there tomorrow or maybe some day next week if he still has it. maybe get better pictures and tire size. which is one of my concerns in that correct tires/rims could cost enough to just go get another running gear with more modern wheels/tires. I wonder if he had this and robbed the tires for something else and put these on. would explain the price.

 

[Jim.ME]

thanks for the info.

i'll see if i can get up there tomorrow or maybe some day next week if he still has it. maybe get better pictures and tire size. which is one of my concerns in that correct tires/rims could cost enough to just go get another running gear with more modern wheels/tires. I wonder if he had this and robbed the tires for something else and put these on. would explain the price.

I would find a gear with more modern (available and generally a lesser cost) rims and tires.

 

[bc]

thanks for the info.

i'll see if i can get up there tomorrow or maybe some day next week if he still has it. maybe get better pictures and tire size. which is one of my concerns in that correct tires/rims could cost enough to just go get another running gear with more modern wheels/tires. I wonder if he had this and robbed the tires for something else and put these on. would explain the price.

If this is a hay wagon for the field and you aren't running it down the road at 70 mph then I would just look for some tread and no dry rot or some rot if not too bad.

Get a Maddox tire plugging kit for 22 bux from Harbor freight and with those big plugs in there you may never need to take the tire off even if in a sidewall. I would stick a tube in a hay wagon tire before buying a new tire.

 

[marloweg]

that is NOT a split rim the real split rims had no center in them and went non Cast spoke hubs at the least it is a split ring or two peace ring rim NOT the one you hear bad thins about have change 100 of each and no big deal . the real split rim rims we would mount pn the truck before we put air in them to hold the rim out so it would no fold in on it self