A flat wheelbarrow or a slow leak tire can be highly frustrating. Instead of inspecting the damage and root cause of the error, sometimes we just opt for the costly solution of tire replacement, wheel assembly or even tossing out the wheelbarrow. It is not unusual to see the discarded wheelbarrows at dumps and waste yards that could have been easily reused with the help of a minor wheelbarrow tire repair or tube replacement. Buying and installing a new tire or flat wheelbarrow tire repair is an easy money-saving DIY project that can be easily be attempted by anyone at home.
Tools that you will need to repair wheelbarrow tire
In order to remove and replace the tire from the wheel, all you require is a large flat head screwdriver and a hand tire pump moreover you would also need a wrench to remove the wheel and reassemble tire from the wheelbarrow. It can easily be done by loosening one or both of the brackets that is holding the axle to the wheel. If you have a tubeless tire with a puncture in the tread area then instead of a flathead screwdriver you would need a plug repair tool.
Repairing wheelbarrow tire or its replacement
1. You can conduct a thorough visual inspection once the flat wheelbarrow tire is off. Firstly, assess the wheel for damage and the tire being the obvious resource of the leak. You must check the amount of wear on the tread rubber and cracks in the tire due to the dry rot. If the tire is badly rotten with deep cracks in the side or that tread is worn and is unable to provide sufficient traction then you must consider buying a tire replacement. A wheelbarrow tire must cost between $15 and $40 which will be delivered right to your doorstep as compared to the $150 or more for a new wheelbarrow. If the wheelbarrow is in good condition then a tire replacement can make it work more efficiently like a new one.
2. If the source of the leak is not easily detectable on a tubeless tire (like a whole or object stuck in the tread) you need to inflate the tire to identify the source of leakage. If the tire is completely flat and would not easily seat against the wheel flange then you must tighten a rope on the outside of the tire to push the tubeless tire against the wheel and get a good seal. You may need a new wheel if the wheel is severely bent however small dents in the wheel flange usually do not cause any big problems, particularly for the tube type tires. Inserting a tube into a tubeless tire and assembling a wheel is a cheaper alternative to buying a new wheel even if it has leakage and damaged the wheel and tire itself.
3. In case of a tube type tire, the tire must be removed from the rim. You can use the flat head screwdriver to pry the tire off the rim. Once one part of the tire is over the wheel flange, the other will easily twist off the wheel. Turn the wheel over and repeat for the other side. Be careful; don’t pinch the tube between the screwdriver and the wheel flange. A tubeless tire can often be repaired by leaving the tire On the Wheel and using a plug. It is a much easy method to repair a hole in a tubeless tire but it takes some specialized equipment. The tire and wheel are ready to be reinstalled onto the wheelbarrow once the tire is plugged and the plug is trimmed.
4. Once the tube is removed, it can be inflated and submerged into a bucket of water to identify the source of leakage. The bubbles would identify even pinpricks from the thorns which would otherwise be very difficult to see. With the help of fine grit sandpaper or a wood file, the area around the hole should be properly roughened up. The area of repairing must be coated with rubber cement and then the patch should be applied. If the tube cannot be repaired but the car is still in a good condition then you must consider buying a new replacement tube. Wheelbarrow would cost under $10 which is the fraction of the cost of a new wheelbarrow, tire, and wheel.
5. Once the tube repair has fully been done, it is time to reinstall the tire and tube on the wheel. Firstly, insert the deflated tube in the tire and reposition one side of the tire that into the wheel. At this point, in case of a tube type tire, you would position the tube valve into the wheel hole and as it gets aligned the other half can be pried on the tire.
6. The tire tube is now ready to be in related to the PSI as suggested on the side of the tire. Fasten the entire wheel, assemble the tire to the wheelbarrow and replace the axle.
Buying replacement tires if wheelbarrow tire is beyond repair
If your flat wheelbarrow tire or tube is highly damaged and worn out to be repaired then Rubbertechchina.com is the best option to buy inexpensive wheelbarrow tires. We have a large variety of wheelbarrow tires at the best and lowest prices. They are armed with various tire sizes. You can easily find your replacement tire with the conveniently fast ordering and shipping services directly to you.
