If you're interested in alternate bead breakers look into a Beadbuster XB-455. It's a 2-step tiny device that first clamps onto the wheel rim and second pushes the tire bead off. I do my own 4x4 35" tire changes because shops won't work on my beadlock wheels. Tried a lot of methods to break the back bead and the 455 is 10x easier than anything else I tried. There are videos on YT showing how it works. I have no connection to Beadbuster -- just a happy customer.
In case anybody is wondering there are guys that make duck head add on KITS so you don't have to scrounge all this stuff up. There is a usa made kit out of texas for 115 bucks. Good video. I like to research stuff like this AFTER I get done with a big job and wish I would have had this tool. I just did the tires on my trailer old school with just two 20" tire levers.
Nice job, i am almost done making mine. Just have to cut out the plate for the duckbill mount and give it a nice paint job. The pipe that fits over the main tire changer shaft was a piece of 2/1/4 inch exhaust pipe, hope it's strong enough.
I had the same problem with the breaker part bending. I seriously need to learn to weld but I ended up drilling holes on the sides. 3 on each side at the same height so I could run bolt’s through it. It worked great as far as strength but you probably had it welded in a fraction of the time. I thought your welds looked good! Motivates me to learn. I bought the tire machine at HF and they have basically the same kit with the duckbill that you built yourself. Yours looks nicer , a little beefier. They charged 120 for it. I was thinking it was a little high but I guess it sounds about right with what you got in your set up but I bought one of them billet cones that you got also so 50 + 120+ 60. So $230 in it. But I feel the same way why pay someone else when you can do it yourself! Hope your well man, nice video!
I had no idea they sold a kit thats awesome this was a great project to practice my welds on decently thick metal so its a little more forgiving thanks for watching
the bead breaker is garbage without reinforcement. one solid cross support fixed it. I don't know why they won't update the design. as well the duckbill makes it sooooo much easier to use. I've had mine for at least a year, use it daily, and know if three simple mods that are game changers for this.
the duckbill attachment is the key to this device. i use it almost daily and the duckbill, even though twice the price of the mount, is the must have. i want the center mount next cuz that cross pattern thing scratches the hell out of rims.
I just carefully marked and drilled 2 holes that align with the lug pattern on my wheels, and mounted studs. I just lug the wheel to the changer. But yeah the centering cone is a great idea.
I will make a cone ; with pipe, (go over the vertical shaft - screw on from top ) and 4 triangle shaped 1/4 plates of steel, welded to it. LIKE the older Coats tire machines. 70 $ can buy alot of steel.....
Thanks! I’m curious about the changer itself. The HF changers that I’ve seen have a different base than yours. I like the solid base that you have vs the cross style that is usually shown on the HF site. Did you get the changer somewhere else? The mods are great!
The bead breaker is the changer's weakest part. Doing a lot of stubborn beads will eventually cause it to bend so I had some pipe welded into it and it never bent again. Nice mods but it requires an expert welder which I am not.
The key is to make sure the arm that makes contact with the bead is straight up and down. If it's angled back or forwards you loose a ton of force to side loading. That side loading tends to be what bends it faster then a fart through underwear. You get used to ware to place the tire to get that arm straight pretty quick. The beads on my Camaro tend to be a tight fit on the rim for some reason. Doing this I have never had it bend while breaking the bead. Also, in the winter using a hear gun to warm the bead & surrounding area helps alot if you don't have a heated garage.
I think I know where the scratching comes from. On a professional tire machine the duck bill barely hovers over the rim and never touches it while you were prying the tire over the rim. If only there was a way to do that I think you’d be OK
Buy a beadbuster tool.....I have a harbour freight tire changer too....I don't even use the bead buster on the tire machine ....beadbuster way to go....
@@CompoundRacing1 You said that later in your video. They cost about as much as the changer. I might see if I can cut a couple of cones on my CNC using some Hurricane Matthew live oak wood.
Just bought one of these HF tire changers, I’m in NY and would love to buy one of your modified pieces, how can I get in touch with you outside of here?
CZcams algorithm removed my comment as going against community guidelines??? I just said that cones are available on Amazon for $20. I ordered the larger one, and was shipped the smaller 3", but got a refund. Not sure if I can use the smaller cone. The 4.4" should arrive shortly. (will CZcams ban me for this?) I wish CZcams would provide the 'reason'. I did not even know it was the comment in here, other than I wanted to edit a question, which I now have the answer to.
I have plenty of Harbor Freight stuff but this tire changer is borderline junk. As others have noted here, the bead breaker piece is ridiculously flimsy. I destroyed mine today - you will, too, if you do enough tire changing. I fabricated an entirely new piece using 1/8-inch square tubing and heavy flat stock, and it is now so much stronger that something else will break before it does. Harbor Freight can do better.
He got from the scrap yard. The yards around hear sell them for $25, or $29.50 for the tire on a rim. Which is what the neighborhood tire shops used to charge for used tires. Now they $60 for a used tire.
2:15 time....Atta boy ' weld on '.....! Most modern ' designs ' ....ESPECIALLY those from ' el cheapo ' china ; ARE NOT FIELD TESTED, after the initial design. Engineers, are not ' hands on ' people, any more. MODIFY most mechanical stuff, from China. I have to.....and so does alot of other DIYers. oh well ; now that we know, let us get on with the video....thanks, Mr Compound ! (that de-breaker, nees another plate, at the leverage point, to increase force. Like a tree lopper , branch cutter idea.....Look at a very old Coats tire machine. The pole type, not the 10 10 or 20 20......for idea....
That's cool doing all the upgrades but you do realize these tire changers were meant for lawn mower tires any smaller tire like that not for motor vehicle of course it won't work well and things will bend when you start using it on car tires but with all the upgrades yeah it'll definitely work for a car tire but that's not what it was originally meant for
It's for car tires. Most lawn tractor rims have only an axle hole, not big enough to fit over that center post, and no hole pattern at all, for the anti-rotation pin to engage.
Always go counter clockwise with the duckbill!
He went counterclockwise, or am I missing something
@EivinSukoi he went clockwise when putting the tire on. So yea ya missed something
@@zeelong1589 perhaps I did , but good advice though, thanks .
Nice work bud! Thanks for sharing your progress and upgrades on the HF Tire changer.
Thanks appreciate you watching
If you're interested in alternate bead breakers look into a Beadbuster XB-455. It's a 2-step tiny device that first clamps onto the wheel rim and second pushes the tire bead off. I do my own 4x4 35" tire changes because shops won't work on my beadlock wheels. Tried a lot of methods to break the back bead and the 455 is 10x easier than anything else I tried. There are videos on YT showing how it works. I have no connection to Beadbuster -- just a happy customer.
I have seen those looks luke a good tool
In case anybody is wondering there are guys that make duck head add on KITS so you don't have to scrounge all this stuff up. There is a usa made kit out of texas for 115 bucks. Good video. I like to research stuff like this AFTER I get done with a big job and wish I would have had this tool. I just did the tires on my trailer old school with just two 20" tire levers.
Nice job, i am almost done making mine. Just have to cut out the plate for the duckbill mount and give it a nice paint job. The pipe that fits over the main tire changer shaft was a piece of 2/1/4 inch exhaust pipe, hope it's strong enough.
That should work just fine
me too.
Dude you are a genius! I’m definitely doing this!
I wouldnt say genius lol but thanks
That duck bill thing looks awesome
I had the same problem with the breaker part bending. I seriously need to learn to weld but I ended up drilling holes on the sides. 3 on each side at the same height so I could run bolt’s through it. It worked great as far as strength but you probably had it welded in a fraction of the time. I thought your welds looked good! Motivates me to learn. I bought the tire machine at HF and they have basically the same kit with the duckbill that you built yourself. Yours looks nicer , a little beefier. They charged 120 for it. I was thinking it was a little high but I guess it sounds about right with what you got in your set up but I bought one of them billet cones that you got also so 50 + 120+ 60. So $230 in it. But I feel the same way why pay someone else when you can do it yourself!
Hope your well man, nice video!
I had no idea they sold a kit thats awesome this was a great project to practice my welds on decently thick metal so its a little more forgiving thanks for watching
the bead breaker is garbage without reinforcement. one solid cross support fixed it. I don't know why they won't update the design. as well the duckbill makes it sooooo much easier to use. I've had mine for at least a year, use it daily, and know if three simple mods that are game changers for this.
You sir, are a genius !
No I had the same problem with the bead breaker mine went S shaped had to beat it straight and weld angle iron in as well
the duckbill attachment is the key to this device. i use it almost daily and the duckbill, even though twice the price of the mount, is the must have. i want the center mount next cuz that cross pattern thing scratches the hell out of rims.
I just carefully marked and drilled 2 holes that align with the lug pattern on my wheels, and mounted studs. I just lug the wheel to the changer. But yeah the centering cone is a great idea.
Thanks for the information.
Good video, thanks !!!!
Weld you a T handle on the duckbill adjustment bolt so you don’t need the wrench anymore. Just a thought
Thats a great idea
when putting the tire on its counter clock wise
Who is slashing your side walls?
Putting blocks under the wheel will help break the bead. The higher your lever the more leverage. A 4x4 would probably work good.
Thanks ill try that
Bought a Mojo lever works great on any tire car motorcycle
Use soapy water to break the bead
Hi. How do you balance tire?
I will make a cone ; with pipe, (go over the vertical shaft - screw on from top ) and 4 triangle shaped 1/4 plates of steel, welded to it. LIKE the older Coats tire machines. 70 $ can buy alot of steel.....
Thanks! I’m curious about the changer itself. The HF changers that I’ve seen have a different base than yours. I like the solid base that you have vs the cross style that is usually shown on the HF site. Did you get the changer somewhere else? The mods are great!
I welded that plate on i found the original base sucked
The bead breaker is the changer's weakest part. Doing a lot of stubborn beads will eventually cause it to bend so I had some pipe welded into it and it never bent again.
Nice mods but it requires an expert welder which I am not.
The key is to make sure the arm that makes contact with the bead is straight up and down. If it's angled back or forwards you loose a ton of force to side loading. That side loading tends to be what bends it faster then a fart through underwear. You get used to ware to place the tire to get that arm straight pretty quick. The beads on my Camaro tend to be a tight fit on the rim for some reason. Doing this I have never had it bend while breaking the bead. Also, in the winter using a hear gun to warm the bead & surrounding area helps alot if you don't have a heated garage.
@@williamallen7836 Makes sense. Now days I use more soap on the bead than I used to and that helps matters.
Does anybody sell a modification like that in europe?
Hello,
can you tell me the thread with which the rim is attached? Greetings Matthias
Im not sure of the thread that part came with the tool from harborfreight
Have you tired adding soapy water when breaking the bead? I use one of the slide hammer tools and soapy water makes it much easier..
I did and did help a lot ill have to try a slide hammer
I like the Slide Hammer idea. Anything to make easier and less damaging. 👍
How do you balance the tire and rim?
I didnt but if i need to a friend could do it but at 70 mph its nice and smooth
Which site exactly did you get the 2 1/8 in tubing from?
Ebay
www.ebay.com/itm/184004564483
If you use 2 inch steel water pipe, it's the right size too. (It's roughly 2 inch I.D.) Fits nice with a bit less slop.
I’ve just purchased the duck bill set up made in Texas for $140
I think I know where the scratching comes from. On a professional tire machine the duck bill barely hovers over the rim and never touches it while you were prying the tire over the rim. If only there was a way to do that I think you’d be OK
this creates more questions than answers
well i will find out in a few days lol
Lol how?
Buy a beadbuster tool.....I have a harbour freight tire changer too....I don't even use the bead buster on the tire machine ....beadbuster way to go....
you can literally make anything better if you own a TIG or MIG welder... 😋 j/s
I'm looking for this HF kit, Discontinued. I have a welder and a lathe. Make better!
fking!Veri guud😀😀😀👍papii´´🤜🤛
Where did you get the cone?
I believe it was on ebay i searched for harbor freight tire changer accesories i believe
@@CompoundRacing1 You said that later in your video. They cost about as much as the changer. I might see if I can cut a couple of cones on my CNC using some Hurricane Matthew live oak wood.
@@SavannahDan thats a great idea i didnt want to shell out that money but it does make a difference
Would you make and sell me a set of your upgraded part?
If you are local to massachusetts i will
@@CompoundRacing1 unfortunately I am in Washington. I am guessing shipping cost is pretty high due to weight.
@@tofuandsoybean6218 yeah unfortunately everything is expensive these days
Just bought one of these HF tire changers, I’m in NY and would love to buy one of your modified pieces, how can I get in touch with you outside of here?
No lube makes for a tighter fit
Your wife will love it when you do the dishes too
CZcams algorithm removed my comment as going against community guidelines??? I just said that cones are available on Amazon for $20. I ordered the larger one, and was shipped the smaller 3", but got a refund. Not sure if I can use the smaller cone. The 4.4" should arrive shortly. (will CZcams ban me for this?) I wish CZcams would provide the 'reason'. I did not even know it was the comment in here, other than I wanted to edit a question, which I now have the answer to.
You probably should of just built you're own with all those mods lol
Lol you are correct
I have plenty of Harbor Freight stuff but this tire changer is borderline junk. As others have noted here, the bead breaker piece is ridiculously flimsy. I destroyed mine today - you will, too, if you do enough tire changing. I fabricated an entirely new piece using 1/8-inch square tubing and heavy flat stock, and it is now so much stronger that something else will break before it does. Harbor Freight can do better.
You mounted the tire in the wrong direction.. I mean you were going in the wrong direction
good try but a closer shot of what the tire and duckbill was doing would have helped alot more. ill checkout another vid
Wow, $45 for a used tire? Around here the resellers think they're made of gold, and they cost almost as much as a new tire.
He got from the scrap yard. The yards around hear sell them for $25, or $29.50 for the tire on a rim. Which is what the neighborhood tire shops used to charge for used tires. Now they $60 for a used tire.
2:15 time....Atta boy ' weld on '.....! Most modern ' designs ' ....ESPECIALLY those from ' el cheapo ' china ; ARE NOT FIELD TESTED, after the initial design. Engineers, are not ' hands on ' people, any more. MODIFY most mechanical stuff, from China. I have to.....and so does alot of other DIYers. oh well ; now that we know, let us get on with the video....thanks, Mr Compound ! (that de-breaker, nees another plate, at the leverage point, to increase force. Like a tree lopper , branch cutter idea.....Look at a very old Coats tire machine. The pole type, not the 10 10 or 20 20......for idea....
China builds stuff as cheap as possible and must not really test they’re products very well if that was bowing.
I think its just a real poor design
Duckhead
That's cool doing all the upgrades but you do realize these tire changers were meant for lawn mower tires any smaller tire like that not for motor vehicle of course it won't work well and things will bend when you start using it on car tires but with all the upgrades yeah it'll definitely work for a car tire but that's not what it was originally meant for
It 100% is made for automotive tires they have a smaller version for lawn mower tires
Wrong, they are made for cars and light trucks. I’ve been doing all sorts of tires on mine for several years.
It literally shows a car tire being mounted on this machine on the harbor fright website!
It's for car tires. Most lawn tractor rims have only an axle hole, not big enough to fit over that center post, and no hole pattern at all, for the anti-rotation pin to engage.