Ether on lawn tractor tires? The ratchet strap is usually the best and safest. Ether is great for bigger tires. A pair of side cuts / dykes work well for removing the valve stems and two large screwdrivers will work as tire irons if you are very careful to avoid pinching the tube. I keep my tires tubeless as much as possible. Especially if it's a low psi drive tire on something like a tractor or mower.
Yep, I try ratchet straps first. If that doesn't work after a few attempts, then the combustible stuff comes out. Keep back to preserve the eyebrows and beard.
I have my local service tire place install a give for me. Cost me 10 for tube and install. To seat tub less tires on lawn stuff I use the carb cleaner and match trick. Old valve stem. Reach in with a knife and cut the rubber off the inside and pull out.
I have used a ratchet strap on several tires of varying size. From a wheelbarrow to a trailer tire. My only recommendation is as soon as the bead seats, loosen the strap. Otherwise you will never get the strap loose...
I have seated several lawnmower tires and my yard trailer tires on a yard cart. Most recent I had to replace the valve stem on the cart/trailer. It was split. I uses a big c clamp and a dead blow to break the bead. Cut the old valve stem back off. Pulled a new one through and shot about 2 seconds into the tire and some around it and then threw the match. Woooof burn Pop. Fan and slap the flames out and out the air to it to finish the inflation process. Is this safe....I think if you know whatyour doing, yes. If you never done it watch someone or youtube first. Do I recommend it if you never done it. Probably not.
I've had mixed luck with ether. The last time all I had was the cheep stuff. Maybe that was the problem?
I have used it for that too.!!! I dont buy the commercial wasp spray. Although that stuff sprays farther and more volume.
I dont use ether. Everyone says if you use it on my little Yanmar two cylinder it cracks pistons rings and blows up heads. I have seen lots of pics of the damage two. But then I see loggers practically running big john deer skidder diesels off of it till fuel gets up to the injectors. Like you would run a four cycle mower or a truck off of carb cleaner. They basically spraying it in the air cleaner as they crank it then hold the petal down till it catches. I know the principle in diesels...just wish knew more than I do about them.
Just to close the loop, just as I was going to drive out to the end of of the driveway on the lawn tractor with the saw, ppe, gas, oil, peavy, etc, I noticed the other tire was low. I went down to the local hardware store, and $9 later, came back home with another tube. My previous experience helped, but this was the tire that had the Green Slime in it. What a yucky mess! Not sticky, just slimey! Maybe I'll get something done tomorrow, but doubtful. On more positive notes, the chain saw (ms250c) started up and seemed to run okay, they're sharpening three chains at 4.50 each at the hardware store, and I made a (re) acquaintance with the fellow who originally sold me my Stihl, who now sells Husky out of his little shop, and sold me a slightly more aggressive Husky chain (yellow box) for the Stihl (the brand new Stihl dealer, the aforementioned hw store, didn't have that in Stihl-not sure why.)
They say slime needs go be redone every few years. I guess it looses its effectiveness? The stuff works amazing. I installed a tube backwards or something when I tried one on a mower I think I ruined it?? I got so tired of it I. Arrived out to the shop like I said and I think they sold me a tube and installed it cheaper than I can buy them. No more tube install for me!
