How to Mount Wheelbarrow Tires

Wheelbarrow tires of today come in a variety of sizes, types, and colors.

The wheelbarrow is recorded as having been invented by Chuko Liang (181-234 A.D.) of China. It is said that Liang used the wheelbarrow to move supplies and injured soldiers. Though the design has changed little over the years, modern wheelbarrows consist mostly of a dense plastic or fiberglass body, with wooden or metal frame rails. Installing a tire onto a wheelbarrow rim is an identical process, regardless of whether your wheelbarrow has one or two wheels. There are added steps involved if you have a wheelbarrow tire that requires an inner tube.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket (any size)
• 1-bottle liquid dish soap
• Water source
• Handheld sponge
• Two flat head screwdrivers or small pry bars

Instructions

1. Fill a bucket with about 1/2 gallon of water, using a water source, and any sized bucket. Add approximately 1/4-cup of liquid dish soap to the water in the bucket. Insert a handheld sponge, and swirl it around to stir the water and soap together.

2. Place your wheelbarrow rim on its side, with the axle hole facing vertically. Remove the valve stem cap from the valve stem on the inner tube. Insert the valve stem through the valve stem hole in the rim, using your hands. Reinstall the valve stem cap once the valve stem is through the wheel. Skip this step if your tire is tubeless.

3. Roll the inner tube downward towards the bottom of the wheel, so that it is out of the way of the upper wheel lip. Skip this step if your tire is tubeless.

4. Dip the handheld sponge in the soap and water mixture, and rub it over the inner bead or inner 2-inches of the wheelbarrow tire, towards the center of the tire.

5. Push the tire down, over the top lip of the wheelbarrow rim, using your hands. Insert one flat head screwdriver between the tire and the wheel, and push the screwdriver handle towards the outside of the wheel, to slide the last portion of the first bead onto the wheel.

6. Flip the wheelbarrow rim over and gently tuck the inner tube inside of the tire, using just the tips of your fingers for insertion. Skip this step if your tire is tubeless.

7. Turn the wheel over again once the inner tube is inserted. Lubricate the upper bead of the tire, using a sponge with soap and water mixture on it.

8. Slide the bead over the wheel lip at an angle. Insert a screwdriver in between the wheel lip and the tire bead. Insert a second screwdriver on the opposite side of the wheel, where the tire is sitting above the wheel lip.

9. Push down on the first screwdriver that rests between the wheel lip and the tire bead. Push the handle of the second screwdriver towards the outside of the wheel and tire to force the tire onto the wheel as low as it will go. Place your knee on the closest edge of the tire and wheel combination for extra leverage if necessary. Shimmy the second screwdriver around in a clockwise, then counterclockwise motion to set the rest of the tire over the wheel lip.

10. Inflate the tire to the manufacturers recommendations.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not over-inflate the tire on your wheelbarrow. Over inflating can cause the tire to warp or bubble, rendering the tire virtually useless. Also, there is a risk of rupture or explosion with an over-inflated wheelbarrow tire.

References

• Carts and Wagons: History of the Wheelbarrow
• BonsaiGardener.org: Wheelbarrow Buyers Guide
• Marathon Industries: Flat Free Wheelbarrow Tires, Puncture Proof
• Carlisle Tire and Rubber Company: Wheelbarrow Inner Tubes