Wheel removal safe handling?

[Roy Crane]

I need to replace the 10-38 outer rims on my 1950 BW. The wheels have the cast centers. They are big, heavy and scary! Anyone have advice on how to best remove the wheels and handle them safely? Any advice on the best means of supporting the rear axle while removing a wheel? I have a trailer that can easily handle the full wheel assembly to get it to the tire company for removal of the tire. Getting it onto the trailer could be a real problem if I do it wrong.

 

[Mike M]

Block up the rear of the tractor out near the axle housing end is more stable.
A engine hoist would be nice to use. You can get a helper and slide them out to the end and keep them balanced and upright and roll them to trailer. I have done them myself but had one go off center and kinda pin me. Always get a helper.
You can leave the cast center on and just pull the outer rim with tire off. If your centers are on with the lip to the outside you just turn the rim sideways over the notch in the casting and they will come off.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Hi Roy, Leave the cast center on the axle , remove the clamps that hold the rims to the centers, and just remove the rim. If the tires are not filled with fluid you should be able to move it around with little effort, just dont let it tip too far till you are ready to lay it on the trailer. I have a lot of heavy wood blocks I stack under the axle housing to support the tractor while it is jacked up, you cant be too careful about that. I once took a 13-6 38 rim and tire off a massey 44 in my garage not realizing it was filled with fluid, when I pooped it off the center it fell over and almost knocked my I 6 IHC off of the blocks it was sitting on. It was so heavy I could not move it at all. After that I purchased a cherry picker from harbor freight to pick it up and move around, that made easy work of it.....Tom

 

[Roy Crane]

Thanks guys! I think I will leave the cast centers on the tractor per your advice. I was thinking it would be easier to clean and paint them off the tractor, but that may be way more trouble than a little masking off at the axle.

 

[1 Dollar]

Just last week I tackled a similar project for the first time in my life with a Farmall M. I just used an engine hoist to first take the rims off the cast centers, then the centers after that. The tires were filled, and I used a chain wrapped around both the center and the rim, and once I had it knocked loose, I put just a chain around the rim, and lifted it off. Hope that makes sense.

Engine hoist works well.

Good Luck

 

[730-LP]

Leave the wheels on the tractor,take it to the tire place and they will change them with out removing the rims.Most shops had rather change them that way,

 

[Dr. Bert]

Roy: Leave the cast wheels on the axles. Jack up one side, remove the clamps holding the rim to the wheel and with a pry bar you can pry the rim off the wheel. With the air out of the tire, you will be surprised how much the rim will flex-thus slipping over the retainers. Changed both rims on my B that way.

 

[Mel in SW Iowa]

Of cours a determined person can take the wheel &
rim off before taking the tire off, but there has been a lot of experience here giving you some good advice. Don't.

Take the tire off the rim first if you have the tools and energy or take your tractor to the tire shop and have them take the tires off.
Then take your rims off, repair or replace them, paint, and put tires back on.

Another point I should mention. Find a good local
coach to help you any time you are doing any project that you haven't done yourself yet.