Mounting HEMTT rims on 16-20's

[strosfla]

I have (2) new GY 16-20's, and getting a couple new HEMTT rims. I'm pretty good mechanically and have worked in a tire store. My question is : how hard is it to mount up the (2) piece HEMTT 's without special tools. My compressor is 25 gal/125 psi. I've done the starting fluid/torch method on tractor tires so that hazardous maneuver is back there in the mounting portfolio...... so am I in for an azz-kicken or do I just need some will power and elbow grease

 

[M1075]

Easy to do, just big and heavy!

 

[cranetruck]

Which tire /wheel combination are you getting?
I'm having a bit of a problem mounting the 16/70-20 tire (bias ply), but don't have the proper tools yet.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/36252-cranetruck-tire-mounting.html
Perhaps because of the low aspect ratio combined with the bias ply construction making the sidewalls incredibly stiff...

Post pictures of your progress. pls.

 

[dm22630]

I mounted my hemtt rims on 16-20s by myself w/no special tools.

Here is what you do....

1. Seperate 2 halves of the hemtt rim.
2. Lay the large side down on a large block of wood (so it is 6" off the ground).
3. Put a standard car oil change ramp beside the rim (cheapo plastic one from walmart).
4. Roll the tire up the ramp & push it over onto the rim.
5. Put the oring on the 1st half of the rim that the tire is now on.
6. Bolt the two pieces of the rim together.
7. Stand the assembled tire/rim upright.
8. Remove the valve core (I did not do this...like a moron...and it took me a lot longer).
9. Attach a clip air chuck.
10. Get some glass cleaner (windex) & spray around the bead on both sides.
11. As it is airing up, watch the bead on both sides. While continually spraying w/windex, watch for bubbles. Anytime you see bubbles, tap that area of the tire w/a sledgehammer to seal the leak.....but DONT knock the tire over.
12. After you are aired up, replace the valve core.


*** MUCH easier w/a tractor or another person! You will throw your back out if you try to pick up the tire/rim by yourself ***

 

[strosfla]

Oh yea, definitely been introduced to the big and heavy!!! Rigged a appliance dolly to move mounted unit, but still pretty hairy moving them around, thinking about looking into a pallet jack and rigging something on that. Next was a come-along in the garage, but garages in Florida have no attic space so I have no way to reinforce the rafters soooooo.... it'll be a running engineering thing when I lift that first tire.......Bjorn.... image #2, (2) piece HEMTT w/ O-ring. Getting anxious, just want to get the Singles on !!!!!

 

[strosfla]

Bjorn...... not that I'm endorcing this procedure but..... worse case scenario ( like a flat on a spreader in a field....in the mud ..) I've used starting fluid sprayed around the bead, then using full wingspan ignite the fumes with a propane torch. Once again NO endorsement here...... but worked for me as last resort
Just throwing that out there........

 

[dm22630]

Once they are mounted, you can roll them around by yourself (slowly) & they stand upright.

At least my XZLs do.

Standing them up is the hardest part w/out hurting yourself. Make sure you have the rim laying on something above ground level! I use a dolly to lay mine on, then once the two are bolted together....I hook a chain around the top of the dolly & use my tractor to stand it up.

Mounting them on a truck is another story. I havent done that yet.....but I can see unless I use a pallet jack, forklift, bobcat, or tire dolly.....its not happening. lol

510lbs each!

 

[strosfla]

dm....... copied and printed your step-by-steps !! Going to try my garage-roof-come-along system to lift the tire before sliding on the rims. I'll take pics (hopefully of a successful operation )
Thanks

 

[cranetruck]

Do those wheels have the humps shown in image below?

510 lb wow! The mounted 16/70-20 tires on the xm757 only weigh 189 lb...

Hopefully, the radials will have softer sidewalls and make it easier to get the bead over the humps (referring to my project). BTW Daniel, the plan is to pick the tires up next Saturday (June 20)......

 

[Hammer]

Don't lift the tires up onto the truck's hub.
Lower the trucks hub until you can wiggle the tires onto it, while the tire still sits on the ground.
This goes a lot faster with two people, but I have put on a good number of these tires using this method by myself.

Funny thing about working with these tires, after you have done a bit of it, all other tires seems small and 'too easy'.
Standing them up after they fall on the ground is more of a technique thing rather then just brute strength. Firs couple times were a PITA, but after a while I got the hang of it. I still try to keep them standing up though!

 

[atankersdad]

dm you missed your calling, however its not too late for a young man like yourself to enlist. Your calling in life should have been writing TM's. Great step-by-step work instruction.

 

[dm22630]

Do those wheels have the humps shown in image below?

510 lb wow! The mounted 16/70-20 tires on the xm757 only weigh 189 lb...

Hopefully, the radials will have softer sidewalls and make it easier to get the bead over the humps (referring to my project). BTW Daniel, the plan is to pick the tires up next Saturday (June 20)......

Nope....they are flat all the way across. As the tire is aired up.....it slides right across w/no issues.

Next saturday is fine with me! Are you bringing a trailer up w/you?

dm you missed your calling, however its not too late for a young man like yourself to enlist. Your calling in life should have been writing TM's. Great step-by-step work instruction.

LOL

Young?! I am 26 now.....I have one foot in the grave & the other one on a banana peel!

 

[strosfla]

....Bjorn..... no "safety humps" on mine......smooth. You'e gonna need some tire irons and tire soap...... ahhhh the days hand changing tractor tires in the field...... think I'll stick with the bottle opener on Las Olas Beach......

 

[DMgunn]

I used to use the ether method back when I did the mud truck thing - that was before they added the "upper cylinder lubricant" which is another way of saying "not worth a damn for tire mounting". This current stuff burns fairly vigorously, but doesn't have the almost explosive nature of the real deal. Hell, I used to get too liberal with it, and the wheel/tire would jump into the air maybe 6 inches or so, then as the oxygen was consumed, the tire would "suck in" to a square shape. But the bead would hold...........and no, I don't recommend that method either - but it works.

Thank God for 2-piece wheels.

 

[Nonotagain]

A two inch wide ratcheting strap wrapped around the tire to deform the tire so that it seals on the bead also works well.

Use the largest diameter , shortest air hose that you have , so that you have both pressure and volume.

While airing up the tire, as soon as the tires no longer leaks at the bead, remove the strap and complete the inflation.

As for mounting the completed tire wheel combo onto the truck, a sheet of aluminum sprayed down with soap solution makes for easier movement, that and a large tire iron or pry bar.

 

[Jones]

And before you get to learn this important lesson first-hand...
If you're changing one of these tires on an incline and it starts to get away from you,
for heaven's sake-- don't try to catch it, just knock it over.
It's a lot easier to stand it back up and retrieve it 10 feet away from the truck than it is from the bottom of the hill.

 

[actionpaintball]

To catch the bead on larger tires-I cut two by fours and get the beads to max possible width-leave them in the sun and then use a "tire cheetah". You can easily make a cheetah know off with a 5 gallon or larger tank and 1.5" or larger ball valve.

Cheetah CH-5 Tire Bead Seater

 

[M215]

When putting the two halves of the Hemitt rims together should the O-ring be lubed or dry?
Thanks.

 

[strosfla]

Hoping to pick up the rims this weekend....... if I do, I'll post pics of me wrestling the beasts !!!!!!!!
Thanks for all the info....don't feel as much as a lost puppy now

 

[dm22630]

When putting the two halves of the Hemitt rims together should the O-ring be lubed or dry?
Thanks.

I put the oring on dry. It slips over the rim & sets in the groove fine.