How Do You Reinflate a Flat Tire on a Sears Snowblower?

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Things You'll Need

  • Tire inflator

  • Air compressor

  • Tire air gauge

  • Wood blocks

  • Ratchet-type tie-down strap

Snowblowers are handy machines—as long as the tires are not flat.

A snowblower with a flat tire will not do you much good. Some Sears snowblowers have tubeless tires while others have tires that require tubes. Reinflation of a tube tire is a fairly easy process. When a tubeless tire goes flat, however, the bead of the tire often separates from the the rim. Extra steps must be take to reinflate this type of tire.

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Tube Tires

Step 1

Plug an air compressor into a power source and allow the pressure to build up to 100 psi.

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Step 2

Remove the cap from the valve stem by turning it counterclockwise with your fingers.

Step 3

Place the tip of the tire inflator over the tip of the valve stem.

Step 4

Squeeze the handle of the tire inflator to blow air into the tire. Fill the tube up to 15 to 20 psi. Remove the inflator and replace the valve stem cap. Use a tire gauge to check the pressure. Press the gauge on the valve stem to get a reading.

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Airless Tires

Step 1

Lift the body of the snow blower up and place wood blocks under it until the tubeless tire is off the ground. There should be no downward pressure on the tire.

Step 2

Remove the cap from the valve stem on the rim of the tire with your fingers.

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Step 3

Place the tip of the tire inflator on the valve stem and try airing up the tire. If the tire seats on the rim and blows up the tire, put in 15 to 20 psi. If the tire does not seat on the rim, go to the next step.

Step 4

Place a ratchet type tie-down strap around the circumference of the tire and ratchet it down as tight as you can get it. Watch the bead of the tire move out toward the rim as you tighten it down. This is called seating. Place the tire inflator on the valve stem and air up the tire. Loosen the ratchet as the air fills the tire.

Tip

A bead of silicone caulk can be applied in between the bead of the tire and the rim to ensure a good air seal when airing up a tubeless tire.

Warning

Over-inflating a tire can result in a deadly explosion.

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