I’ve received several questions from readers about how one can obtain a large tractor tire for flipping and other related exercises. Fortunately, it is usually a fairly easy process, with almost no cost involved. Most tire shops will gladly give away large tires from their scrap pile. The only cost incurred would be the fees associated with renting a truck to transport the tire.

Finding A Tire Supplier

If you wish to find a tire, you can start with an online search. Yahoo’s local page feature is a good starting point.

From the link above, set your location and then enter tires in the search box. After setting your location, Yahoo will then list all of the tire suppliers in your area. You’ll need to sort through those that specialize in automobiles vs. those that specialize in tires for larger trucks and tractors. The latter group will be more likely to have tires that can be used for flipping.

If you are not able to find any large tire suppliers initially, start by calling some of the automotive tire suppliers. They can likely refer you to a business who deals with larger tires. Most related businesses (in the same general area) will know each other. They should have no problem referring you to a company that specializes in larger tractor tires.

Once you find such a supplier, ask if you can take a look at their scrap pile. Large tires are not easy to dispose, so many suppliers will have a scrap pile on site. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Just because the tires are no longer suitable for driving, does not mean they will not be suitable for training.

I recently located a new supplier in my area, and they were more than happy to provide access to the scrap pile. I had pick of the litter, and was told that we could take as many tires as we wanted. I was doing them a service by ridding them of some “junk” tires.

Finding The Right Tire

As for finding the right tire, get your hands dirty and find a tire that is right for you. Often times, you will not know the exact weight of the tire, but it really isn’t necessary. Flip a few tires while searching through the scrap pile and find one that is suitable to your current strength level. From a conditioning standpoint, I prefer a mid-sized tire for fast paced circuits. For example, we’ll set the clock and flip a 500 to 600 pound tire as many times as possible during the period. We also mix the tire in within multiple exercise circuits (ex. quickly moving from one station to the next). Heavier tires can also be used for a greater strength challenge. If you have room, consider one mid-sized tire and one monster for brute strength.

Transporting The Tire

As for getting the tire home, Home Depot rents trucks by the hour. The sides go down so you can fit almost any size tire. In my local area, Home Depot had the best price on truck rentals, and it took just  a few minutes to fill out the necessary paperwork.

Once you get the tire home, I’d start with a thorough cleaning. I use a scrub brush first, and then apply a spray-on foam automobile tire cleaner. This helps to clear any remaining brake dust, dirt, etc.

Flipping Your Tire

As for proper flipping technique, take a look at the video below, courtesy of the Diesel Crew.

For more low-tech equipment ideas, refer to the link below: