Mounting tires on 3" solid tailwheels

On Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 5:08:43 PM UTC-7, wrote:
I'm one of the club fixit guys, and I got a little obsessed with the task of mounting a tire on a Tost 3" dia. solid tailwheel. I tried all the good advice offered on this and other forums with zero success. Most likely I lack superhuman hand strength and three extra arms.

Success took the form of a $43 Harbor Freight mini-tire changer and Ru-Glyde tire mounting lubricant from NAPA Auto. It's not as easy as the harbor freight promotional video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7o-i4tQyfY

but it isn't a hideous trial either. With the tool the most difficult part is getting the inner tube emplaced and managing the valve stem.

Brian R
127MM

PS, If you used the tool regularly you'd probably make some modifications, since it theoretically is for wheels 4" dia. and greater.

PPS, I bought a split wheel for my own glider. Expensive, but you have some recourse if you get a flat when away from the shop.

Tire talc makes it much easier:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...s/tiretalc.php

Baby powder works just fine too for lubricating tubes

WD40 sprayed on the tire bead when installing helps immensely.

Just a general comment that oils and solvent based products are not very compatible with rubber. Ask any tire shop. Water based products are the safest.

On Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 10:01:27 AM UTC-4, wrote:
Just a general comment that oils and solvent based products are not very compatible with rubber. Ask any tire shop. Water based products are the safest.

Soapy water is a reasonable lube.
Do this job a few times and you will have some damaged tubes(easily pinched and torn), and a real motivation for multi piece wheel. It is hopeless if you are in a rush.
One part Tost wheels do make good paper weights.
FWIW
UH

I use baby powder, smells funny but is a lot cheaper and your wife
probably has some in the closet.

I change the tires on my Harley with tire irons and have considered
using a couple of C-clamps to mount tail wheels.Â* Instead, I bought a
brass split wheel for my Stemme since I needed some weight in the tail
(rather than giving up beer).

Tire talc makes it much easier:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...s/tiretalc.php

--
Dan, 5J