Method of mounting large pneumatic tires

Abstract

Large pneumatic tires of the class known as 'as earth mover' tires were originally proportioned for use on that type of wheel rim with a removable flange. As adapted for use with drop center rims, their large beads may not fit simultaneously within the drop center rim portion. Utilizing mounting equipment having concentric counter-rotating bead deflectors, no problem is encountered as to mounting the lower bead, which tends to stay at least partly in the drop center; however, this holds the upper bead elevated and interferes with inserting a starting portion of the upper bead therein. In the present method a starting portion of the upper bead is thrust sharply downward below the upper flange of the rim into the drop center; and the bead deflectors are counter-rotated for approximately one-third of their semicircular arcs. The horizontal thrust component is increased to shift more of the upper sidewall beyond center of the rim, to exert tension on the bead which permits the bed deflectors to move through approximately the second one-third of their arcs of travel. Then on raising the point of the thrust, the tire casing rotates sufficiently to draw the lower bead fully out of the drop center at the point of thrust, permitting the upper bead portion to drop fully into the drop center. This allows the upper sidewall to shift farther beyond center, to permit the bead deflectors to work over the remainder of their arcs.