Removing and Replacing Hard Rubber Tires on Gauge Wheels

[Cable 179]

I am in the process of restoring a 48 inch mower deck with chrome gauge wheels.  New chrome wheels are no longer available from Toro. The rubber is worn severely and needs replacing. Does anyone have experience replacing hard rubber tires?

 

The wheels were placed in boiling water for 20 minutes to soften the rubber but the rubber still split when it was removed from the wheel.

 

I need to be able to remove the tires from good new wheels and put it on the chrome wheels.

 

Thanks for any good ideas.

 

Bruce

[Geno 1,929]

I haven't run into this before but I can see you want to keep the chrome rim. If there is no way to change them you could always have a new painted wheel powder coated chrome.

[Digger 66 3,478]

A visit to your local mom & pop forklift shop may be in order .

I know these wheels have rubber ( or some sort of alloy thereof ) bonded to steel .

Just a thought .....

 

-Gene 

[Ed Kennell 38,007]

As a last resort, can you make split rims from your chrome wheels.

I cut a pair apart so I could mount solid 4X16 tires.

Edited October 29, 2014 by ekennell