Fixing a Skid Steer Tire with Starting Fluid and a Torch!! + all about my STEEL TRACKS

The old school way of setting a bead on a stubborn tire!
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[@SkyTechElectronics]

When I was in high school I had a tire come off the bead in my old POS Mustang while doing donuts out in the boonies. Managed to get it back on and aired up using a can of Axe body spray, a lighter and a cheap little Wal-Mart air compressor. Was something of a legend in our friend group for a while.

[@captainkirk1745]

Everyday life is still interesting. No "apology" required. You keep making them and we'll keep watchin' 'em Matt. I enjoy them all. Thank YOU!!

[@CliffManis]

yes, for sure enjoy them all. tks.. 2.16 Everyday work is good to see...

[@josefernandez-leon4024]

One thing, probably the best thing about your channel Matt, is the AUDACITY you show in tackling any job, no matter even if you are clueless and have to learn on the job, as you push ahead. I keep coming back for more videos to see what you are going to tackle next and figure how to best do it. In Mechanics you are quite good, I may add non-authoritatively. Thanks Matt.

[@Locane256]

Not boring it was great! These are the kinds of videos I like - stuff that highlights the every-day challenges we run in to, like the ground being frozen.

[@bradplumb64]

I always used a ratchet strap in the middle of the tire and then apply air. Works like a charm. Give it a try!

[@ScienceMadeFunner]

I’ve also used this method works great 👍

[@Havensal1]

That's what I do as well.

[@rge2410]

I try to use a wide strap first if I have one available otherwise a good quality small one works.

[@bradplumb64]

@@rge2410 Agreed, be safe!

[@ljprep6250]

@@rge2410 I've found the narrower band works best to flay both sidewalls of the tire out to the beads. Quite often, you don't need to sketch out and blow it up with ether. LOL

[@joshk6555]

Gotta be careful with that soapy water... You might make a clean spot on the tire!

[@bshugg5283]

Soapy water may have let that bead slip on a little easier.

[@PrinceWesterburg]

Water is f*cking dangerous: 1. People drown in it 2. Fish do dirty things in it 3. Its made of hydrogen and oxygen - its basically death! Those wheels only contain nuts. ...or is it the nuts contain the wheels?

[@dicktheplumber2]

...Matt , Don't change the way you do things. You are one hell of a hard worker. Even when I know there isn't anybody with you, I feel like I'm ridin' along and you're talkin' to Me.I love the ride through all the little towns near Burgettstown. Slovan, Atlasburg and Berts Hot Dogs.I try to figure out which little town your drivin' thru, but it's been10 or 12 years since I moved to Tennessee..Watchin' your videos is like goin' back home for a short time. Keep 'em comming, Matt.YOU MAKE MY DAY...

[@GALLEN-vf7uy]

Frozen tracks have killed many of productive days ..... Ye' Ole ether in the tire trick never gets old

[@DieselCreek]

The weren’t frozen so I couldn’t move I just couldn’t get them loose by hand. These over the tire tracks really don’t freeze up like regular tracks

[@tomsawyer8697]

Taking the valve stem core out helps to. It will let a lot more air into it faster than with it in.

[@4sl648]

When my son watches this he will get a chuckle out of it. Hi Chris. We did this to set a bead on a trailer tire and set the tire on fire. Garden hose was nearby. "Put the fire out, Chief" Disaster Averted. Brake cleaner works well. The trick is to get enough and not too much. Hypothetically that is.

[@randallmyers]

resilience is the word, keep your good work ethic and don't let the na Sayers pull your down, those who don't take chances will not succeed. You are on the right track, and so glad you share it with us

[@marcryvon]

I could'nt say it better !

[@michaelkelly9971]

DON'T WORRY ABOUT CONTENT. PEOPLE WATCH BECAUSE OF YOU. HOW YOU FIGURE, FIX AND TALK ABOUT YOUR WORK IS WHAT MAKES YOUR CHANNEL A HOOT. THANKS FOR IT !!

[@shanejohn7254]

I don't know about anybody else but I learnt a trick or two, Thank you.

[@artk6177]

Dogbone wrench! Loved those things till they all broke. LOL. At least they were good for figuring out the correct sized socket. I had a set of Grouser tracks like that, came with the Grouser tensioning bracket. Worthless. I used a strap like you did. For those who don't know; take the bolt out of both sides of the ratchet and remove both straps, take the long strap and move it to the end where the short strap was, cut to 6'-10' and burn the cut end. Done. Works great. I've been through 3 sets of steel "over tire tracks". 1 was Grouser brand and 2 were Norther Tool brands. The Grouser made it about 1,600 hours, the first set of Northern Tool's made it about 1,400 hours at half the price (3rd set sold with the machine). Also, the Northern brand had more flotation. Grousers are made to install optional pads so they don't have a lot of displacement. The Northern Tool ones don't have the "Pad" option so the metal footprint is about 3 times more (guessing). A couple "cons" to metal over tracks; Of course, flotation is better with a tracked machine but also better with rubber over tires. Also, sideslip is a problem with metal tracks. The biggest "con" for me was you can't really run heavy attachments. I put a Bobcat brush hog on my Bobcat 773 and blew 1 front and 2 rear tires before I gave up. The tires would offset inside the track and pinch, tearing out the sidewall. So, those were the Northern Tool tracks, maybe the Grouser brand are better. But the good news; I tracked that machine 1/4 mile out of a swamp and loaded it on my trailer. Lost 3 tires but only 1 rim. Not bad. All that said; I loved my steel over tire tracks, no matter the brand. They make a low cost skid steer into a functional off-road machine. I would buy the Northern Tool brand again, if I was in the market. I have a T595 now, but still miss the 773.

[@timmybob4871]

I can definitely appreciate this struggle. My dad had a Bobcat skidder and excavator. I miss my dad but I sure don't miss fighting with those tracks!

[@RobertForslund]

I don't understand why people say it has to be done a certain way... If it works, and you're happy with the result then it's all good! 😛It's like with tools and stuff, people these days seem to think that to do something you need the latest tools and gadgets otherwise it won't work. I still work with tools and equipment that goes well back to the beginning of the 1920s and they work just as well today as they did back in the day! 😃 Sure, new things are nice to have but you simply can't beat quality built tools from before the 1970s if you ask me! Back then they built things to last, and they do if you take care of the stuff with regular maintenance! Great video, loved it! Keep up the great work and can't wait to see more work on the church! 🙂👍

[@sixbanga9524]

The ole timers taught you them tricks of the trade... Keep the vids coming, i enjoy watching someone else do what I have done already

[@mariowickel456]

Not boring !! Keep those videos coming have a great weekend Matt

[@JasonSmith-vd1sz]

I have installed hundreds of semi tires with this method. It is effective and gives you about 45 pounds of air pressure immediately. Enjoyed the video thank you for sharing

[@user-ft8wr6le8d]

Howdyyawl from the land down under. Matt, it is what it is. Some days you wish you had stayed in bed, but you gota earn a crust. I used to have 3 businesses at the go at a time. Couldn't get anyone to work the way I wanted. I gess thats the same for you. Keep trucking😊

[@willpilkington2679]

Always enjoy watching you resolve the problems you face in your line of work.

[@davec.3198]

There is nothing quite like spending an entire day to get back to where you were yesterday. :-) We've all done it.

[@nicoverduin]

this is part of the job Matt....wel done mate!!...Gr from Holland

[@hitskip7750]

You are such a hard worker. Good job.

[@0vinnie9]

I have worked with steel tracks for almost 10 years, had then on and off countless times. Never once thought to pull forwards to get that back bolt, always just fought it with a wrench. So thank you for that tip.

[@DieselCreek]

I did that the first 8-10 times then had that Epiphany lol if it was a snake it would have bit me

[@skippowell100]

I think Matt should seriously consider a career in teaching, obviously in a trade school environment. There are generations of youth coming that will need to learn his skill level.

[@williamdawson3353]

Watching you solve problems is educational not boring.

[@WeldinMike27]

I don’t like working in the hot sun in Australia, but stuff freezing to the ground doesn’t sound particularly fun either.... 👨‍🏭

[@johnsmith-xr6qy]

Matt, we have two wheel skidsteers. One has airplane tires with two piece rims. They never go flat. unless you break the valve stem. To fix a flat on the other, we jack it up, place a ratchet strap in the center of the tire & "jack" the tire out to the rim. It'll jump loose when you get the air in but it works. saves a trip to the shop every time....if you have a ratchet strap and air tank or dump truck with air brakes and extra air hook up. Like your work.

[@TheJstewart2010]

While I always enjoy seeing progress on the church, this was a great video. I learned a lot of tricks. And having to fix equipment while you're trying to get work done is just part of real life.

[@garymoore8711]

Nice to learn more about the steel tracks and how they go together. Very informative video. A testament of how things get done in the field or with a lean wallet.

[@davec.3198]

I tackle a lot of big homeowner projects and I think that working on your own, really pushes innovative ways to do things.

[@Northtide]

You must have earned your spurs as a job site mechanic. Out in the south west desert we seldom had to fight sub zero weather while keeping the machines running. Thank God! But still many down time miles from the shop. Keep up the good work you are teaching me new tricks.

[@falcon8553]

Great video of behind the scenes. 👽

[@peterg219]

Gotta do what ya gotta do mate. Good to see some still workin'. Cheers.

[@moman0166]

I learned this from an old tire man. I was ready to light the either to blow the tire on the tractor rim and the old tractor tire expert said hold on there Wild Bill. Give the either fumes time to build and he was right. I was getting nervous to light the fumes but I found out I was lighting the liquid either and not the fumes. He made me count to ten then light it. It popped and I had to let some air out of the tire. I turned and looked at my mentor and he was laughing and said, I Told You So!

[@msnpassjan2004]

One of the best vids on skid steer tracks & tires, not boring at all. Subscribed.

[@DieselCreek]

Awesome thank you!!

[@johnobiro5202]

You got Talent Matt.

[@RetreatfarmFarmvilleVirginia]

Sometimes on my tractor tires, I have to wrap a ratchet strap around the middle of the tire and squeeze it down tight in the middle to blow the beads out against the rim so when you spray it with ether It has less distance to travel when it pops outward.

[@heartland96a]

Yes a very good method , and removing the valve core helps get the max amount of air into the tire faster.

[@dennisolsen4507]

You saved me from saying it 😁

[@knightsun]

You said for me. But I’ve done it without the starter fluid. Although it’s probably is kinda fun to do it that way.

[@davidrubin1895]

Many years ago We did that on equipment when I worked in a salvage yard. I find that method quite effective

[@TheBookaroo]

Rock Hill Farm Downeast, Maine I do the same with motorcycle tires when you are offroad it’s the only option! That and fill the tire with grass-leafs ect.

[@kenutton992]

Really enjoyed this video. Very instructional.

[@bobjoncas2814]

..good one, great repair...

[@williamb6869]

and old pipe liner taught me that trick back in the mid 70 th and it has came in useful many times, glad to see a young guy have learned from an old guy that is why i like your channel good deal diesel creek .

[@DieselCreek]

I love working with the old guys, they can learn you a thing or two

[@martincorbitt1979]

Always like a working man video, nothing's wrong with that! Be safe. Martin in South Ga

[@haroldbyrd7399]

Matt, I had a Bobcat 743, 753, and 763, and I last had an S185 just before retiring. I had excellent service with these. They were all older models, so I guess that was the reason for their excellent performance. I also liked the Case equipment. I did not care for John Deere skid steer loaders. John Deere missed he market at first.

[@BobPegram]

This is called the important skill of keeping moving forward when it seems like every little thing wants to stop you! You are now ready for the next job, no small achievement.

[@DieselCreek]

Yep, sometimes you beat the world some times it beats you, just gotta keep swinging

[@guygfm4243]

Thanks for taking the time from U.K.

[@DieselCreek]

Thank for watching!

[@paddylandreville8501]

It's never boring.

[@cccorvette]

The last set of tires I bought for my skid steer I had foam filled. Not cheap but no flats or rolling off the rim. I appreciate you including all the challenges and fails. Makes me feel a little better about what I experiences.

[@karaayers2867]

That's what I want to do when I replace the tires on my bobcat next time. My tractor has fluid in all 4 for weight though.

[@RiverValleyAcres]

First time watching. I’m excited to check out more of your content so I’ll def be subscribing.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

The truck shop mounted tires like that for YEARS, probably till tubeless radials came out. And yes, I can remember then too. I was driving and having to change my own.! Always sprayed it inside the rim with a trail leading out on the floor, hooked up the air hose and struck a match and WHOOMP! The thing bounced off the floor a little but it was seated. I was changing 3-piece wheels before Budds got popular, as well as radials. YES, thank the Lord for ALL his blessings and nobody got hurt doing it.. GBWYall!

[@miker8915]

Great work, thanks for sharing

[@wurly164]

The joys of construction, what did you get done today? I fixed a tire. Tomorrow’s another day

[@DieselCreek]

That wasn’t ALL I got done... I went to lunch too! 😂👍🏼

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

What a beautiful River in the Intro Matt 0:25 @Diesel Creek

[@jackslemp1642]

Enjoyed it Lov equipment,been operating them bout 25yr,such as 994f wheel loader Lov it

[@ryanboldt7751]

That was super informative, I didn’t know you could do those things for the tire and it’s good to know how to get the track apart and how they work.

[@KirtH27]

Oh yah! I used Kroil years ago, I was in the HVAC business and i found a can at one of our wholesale houses. It worked great, I forgot the name until I watched your video. Awesome stuff.

[@dennisolsen4507]

Another great video.🤘 I do many things alone as well, and if you take your time it usually turns out fine.

[@westbygodoutdoors7036]

38 is the magic number i found out. I worked at a rental center and did this all this time.

[@Froggy_Devil]

it's my experience that if you take out the valve core and take the air chuck off the hose and just shove the quick connector on the valve stem the blast of air will push the bead on the rim. Try it you'll like it...

[@wades623]

That's a good way to do it, it works most of the time

[@haydenuk02]

Awesome work thanks for the content and that a good method it helps you get done what you need to get done

[@stevechewning7741]

Another good interesting video showing us how you do two things. Repair a tire and break/ connect track. All good to know.

[@go_rizzo_grow]

Kinda bummed out it took me this long to find your channel, but I'm glad I did. Subscribed!

[@thomasyerbey337]

Great video Matt 🇺🇲

[@coggins63]

Man you have be kidding you are one hard-working SOB great videos too

[@davekauffman8727]

Another thing you'll no doubt hear flack about is operating the machine from outside it, I'm glad that was in there, all the Safety Sams must be pulling their hair out and screaming at their screens, keep up the great work bro! It's amazing how much can get done if you know what you're doing ;-)

[@JSchrumm]

My T handle lug wrench has never let me down.

[@terryoleary9081]

I use a ratchet strap around the tire it sets most tire I've ever been in contact with I've done it both ways

[@docpalazola491]

Another great video..can't wait for the next one. An avid supporter of your channel.

[@DieselCreek]

Awesome! Thank you!!

[@marcfournier823]

I enjoyed this one. Get R done lad.

[@heelerhealer7552]

Track clamps are well worth purchasing. Makes things go WAY faster/safer. We use them on our groomers all the time. They look like a big steel version of a woodworkers clamp.

[@ClintsHobbiesDIY]

You are right. Since I bought a Dewalt 1/2" cordless impact driver, I'm like how did I ever do without it.

[@tectalabyss]

I have used Straps and even a come along to spread the tire. But I have seen lot's of people do the same has you. Has always I Liked,Shared. All my best.

[@marcryvon]

"Can be boring to some..." Are you kidding man ?? Look again at Randall Myers' comment down here. It suits you so well ! I share it 100% ! I'll just add that I admire your self reliance and working with what you've got. "I need a better dump truck." You take two "so so" you have and make one efficient and clean workhorse. "I need a Bobcat, new ones are out of my means". You get an old one and fix it ! That attitude, man, is highly impressive and commandable. I come from a very humble family, my Dad used to fix this and that on the cheap. No choice. The old family car transmission failed. We fixed it together. I was 12 years old. He showed the "how to" on everything. I do exactly the same. Self reliant. People often ask me how I do to keep my older 2 cars running and reliable - a 2001 Altima and a 2006 Focus wagon. Simple, I maintain them, ruste proofing every 2 years. Them, they buy/lease new ones and struggle with payments. Not me. I also hoard stuff "rich" people throw away, fix it and sell it or give it to families in the need. Especially bikes, small or adult size. My salary is the smiles and sparkling eyes of kids when I bring them. Finally, thanks for having us on your journey ! Much appreciated. 👍 PS In what state are you living ?? You never have snow ?

[@DieselCreek]

Thank you so much! And Pennsylvania this has been a pathetic winter

[@frosteone1670]

Had very similar tracks on Case 1835B, filled the tires with solid urethane elastomer, weighs about the same as water. Took a 2" chunk out of a sidewall once, kept running for years after.

[@tabortollefson]

We had those steel racks on an old Gehl skid steer used primarily for manure. Those tracks were rock solid on some fairly soft manure piles.

[@oggzm4982]

Mate, your practicality is an inspiration, and I grew up bush in New Zealand, never had to deal with that level of frozen tho, cheers bro

[@DieselCreek]

that wasnt even bad haha, this was the most mild winter ive ever seen.

[@matthewanderson7766]

That's a cute little forklift

[@terryhites1]

I learned a trick while in USMC as a truck driver... This works well, it's kinda messy, but take wheel bearing grease and put a thin bead around the bead on both sides, hit the air to it, and the grease forms a barrier and the bead pops on! I've tried many ways, a ratchet strap (but if it pumps up to fast you play hell undoing it), I've taken a rope or strap with a breaker bar and twist it to draw the center of the tire in and push the bead out... I've used all these techniques on all types of tires from car truck trailer lawnmower to motorcycles... I don't stop until I find the one that works... Hope this helps someone

[@DieselCreek]

Ya there’s lots of tricks but this some seems to be the old reliable

[@frankgriffin9453]

Matt, don’t beat your self up, we all do stupid stuff I use them as learning experiences, and when I think of it, I smile!!

[@macsloan58]

“Keep shouldering into it”. I’ve never heard that expression. It’s excellent. I’ll have to steal that one. Sorry. And - thanks.

[@DieselCreek]

Don’t worry I stole it from someone somewhere hahah

[@buildingourparadise2696]

Moved to Florida 2 years ago from upstate NY, cant say I miss the frozen stuff, lol.

[@stevenmcgregor2219]

I agree with your tacks being crazy good traction in the mud in the woods you see transporters and rubber tire multies that's basically what they run metal tracks over rubber tires and they go anywhere

[@brianlion1143]

Excellent 💯

[@bobcatii50]

that ether trick always works better while your putting air in it. Good video!!

[@DieselCreek]

Thanks for watching!

[@rubenbraekman4515]

Your truck has got one hell of an exhaust on there 😅😅

[@jayhiz3514]

Nice job

[@TandD1w]

I have grouser tracks on my Gehl skidsteer. I like to thread the nut on a couple turns and then smack the nut with a hammer. Knocks the head of the bolt right out. Using this technique I can use a crow bar between the nut and chassis to pop the inner one out. I’ll then twist out the inner bolt and then use a 1/4” drift to beat out the now twisted outer bolt. These tracks make the machine work like one a couple sizes bigger. Just incredible. They’re awesome in mud or sand, but don’t work on frozen ground. They are also not compatible with solid tires. Rocks get between the tire and track and when forced will crack the crossbar.

[@byronalan8594]

Throwing a ratchet strap around the links and tightening it up to relieve the tension between the the links you're trying to separate would probably be very helpful for a job like this. We use that concept for chains where I work when we have to break them apart.

[@murphymmc]

Nothing wrong with a nice little controlled detonation ;-). I set those up all the time when I do my reloading.

[@leonmarut7092]

well done we dont always get too see that

[@handiman5001]

It's refreshing to see a presenter having problems and showing the steps he/she takes to overcome those problems. Most presenters skip their problem areas and just show you the successes -- makes it very unrealistic -- I worked as a ONE MAN crew for more than 2/3 of the 45 years I spent in the work force. I look up to those that choose to work on their own and respect those that do it because they have to.

[@marilynmcneely206]

Brent Miller seems like he always got problems

[@52Ford]

That's one way, but try putting a big ratchet strap or a come-along around the circumference of the tire and tighten it down, it'll press the bead into the rim. It doesn't always work, but it's more predictable than the ether-and-torch method. I've used both with success, but I try the strap first.

[@karaayers2867]

I always have straps just for this.

[@danielheartsill4269]

Sounds like the strap and the torch method together work well. If the strap doesn't work, use both.

[@52Ford]

The other two things I forgot to mention, on the off chance someone hasn't heard this before; spray both sides of the tire - both beads - in soapy water. That, and pull the valve stem core, turn up the regulator on your compressor, and use a blowgun with one of those tapered rubber nozzles to air up, then put the core back in quickly and switch to an air chuck. All that while you have the strap around the tire. Seems to help.

[@joedirte716]

No one asked you

[@brucestmartin777]

Definitely enjoyed the video....

[@DieselCreek]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@125sm3]

Nice one

[@codraven57]

Yup.............used this method many times with success!! Works best when you can a generous amount of fluid completely inside all around the tire and she works like a damn.

[@AERVBlog]

I worked for a place once that had what amounted to a long skinny inner tube inside a woven fabric tube. You put that around the tire and filled it full of air. It compressed the tire and pushed the bead out enough that it touched and then you could hit the tire with air and it would pop almost always. I don't believe I have ever seen one of those since. That was back in the late 90s. I have done the starting fluid and torch thing and sometimes the result is loud and very satisfying.

[@TheSagerider]

I have thought that you working alone was the most dangerous thing you do because I do the same. I live alone and do most everything alone except when safety demands I don’t like putting up the ridge beam on the new woodshed I built this last summer. I do my best to assess everything I do and not put myself in danger. When I rebuilt my Ford 3000 Diesel engine last year I had to separate the tractor to pull the engine which went ok. When it came time to actually removing the engine block I called a neighbor and told them what I was doing and ask them to come check on me if I didn’t call them back within a half hour, everything went according to plan fortunately.

[@IT-xw5dz]

Good Job!

[@DieselCreek]

Thanks!

[@Granddad92]

Persistence pays off.

[@DieselCreek]

It’s about the only thing I’ve got 😂

[@MrMoelbach]

Actually I enjoyed this episode... Kindest regards Jesper of Denmark 🇩🇰😎🇩🇰

[@jonasmichaelmoir9378]

Matt for President! Can you fix a country?

[@DieselCreek]

I’m sure I could but there would be a lot of people wouldn’t like how I’d do it....