How to Fix a Wheelbarrow Tire

Your wheelbarrow isn't quite what it used to be, or at least its tire isn't. And that makes the barrow part pretty much useless. Here's a quick and easy solution to repairing or replacing a wheelbarrow tire.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• air compressor
• tire patch kit
• wheelbarrow
• rope

1. Flip the wheelbarrow upside down so the tire is in the air and easy to access.

2. Find the puncture or tear. If you can't readily identify it as a protruding nail or other impediment, mix a little soap into a cup of water and spread it over the surface. Where you see bubbles, that's where the leak is.

3. Repair the hole. If it's a small hole you can repair it using any of a number of popular "ooze" type products which you inject and which repair the tire by foaming into the hole. Otherwise, there are repair cords (cords of rubber) available that do the same thing.

4. Once the hole is fixed, tie a rope around the circumference of the wheel to push the edges against the rim (so air doesn't escape during inflation). Inflate partially, remove rope and continue to inflate to full pressure.

5. To replace the entire tire, remove the lug nuts holding the tire in place. Put on a new tire and tighten the nuts.

Tips & Warnings

• If the hole is unfixable, then you'll have to buy a new tire at the local hardware store.
• If all else fails, take it to a local hardware store and they will likely perform the service for around $5 (less the cost of a new tire or repair materials).
• It's difficult to keep air in during inflation without using the above rope trick.