Designed to quickly seat beads on small, utility tires.
Akron, Ohio – (December 11, 2012) – Ken-Tool, the leader in tire service hand tools, announces a time saving tool for tire service centers and lawn mower/small tractor shops. These shops often mount small tubeless tires on wheels for riding lawn mowers, garden tractors plus utility carts and wheelbarrows.
Introducing the new Ken-Tool T131 Utility Tire Pneumatic Bead Expander (p/n 31431). This product is a time-saver for tire service or tractor shop technicians who have difficulty getting 10 to 22” diameter utility tires to seat on the rim. This is because the tubeless tires are often shipped from overseas tightly compressed and banded together in stacks of a dozen or more. When un-banded, the sidewalls and beads of these tires are deformed and usually do not reassume their normal shape.
The Ken-Tool T131 Utility Tire Pneumatic Bead Expander weighs only 2 pounds, and uses an internal heavy duty neoprene rubber tube featuring an internal over-pressure relief valve that protects the expander from accidental over inflation. It also features an external pressure quick release valve and is covered by a tough, abrasion-resistant nylon sock. The tube and sock are resistant to oil, grease, solvents, acids and many other chemicals found in tire and tractor shops. Designed for shop air pressures up to 150 psi, this new Expander compliments Ken-Tool’s current Expander line for 22-in. to 34-in. diameter tires.
To use, the technician simply wraps the tire with the T131 Bead Expander, and uses the clinch rings to snug the assembly tightly around the center of the tire tread. After applying tire lube on the beads and rim, the tech introduces compressed air into the Expander’s tube, which squeezes the tread, forcing the beads towards the rim. At the same time the tech attaches an air supply to the wheel’s tire valve which works simultaneously to expand the tire and help seal the beads to the rim. After the beads are fully seated, the Expander is easily removed and the tire is inflated to its operating pressure.
Ken-Tool products are available through leading tire industry supply distributors worldwide.
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About Ken-Tool
Ken-Tool is the world’s leading manufacturer of professional tire service hand tools. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Ken-Tool has been providing the tire industry and automotive aftermarket with quality products for nearly 90 years.