Westlake Tires

[SkidRoe]

I bought a set of 23x8.5-12's from my local industrial tire shop. Price was decent. I have never heard of any tire company called Westlake before.
They have "Made in China" stamped proudly on the bead. They should nicely compliment my soon to be installed Chinese Honda GX620 clone engine... LOL
They seem quite heavy duty, side walls are extra thick, and fully protect the rim flange
Anybody have any experience with them?

 

[SkidRoe]

I had a go at mounting them today. HOLY *BLEEEEEP*!!!! These things are a nightmare!!
I have a Coates 4040 tire machine, so I thought "No Problem", little bit of instant gratification seeing nice new rubber on my shiny "new" rims. NOT!!
After about a half hour of wrestling with the first one, I was only able to get one bead over the rim, the second one wouldn't go over for love nor money. The side walls have absolutely no give to them, and the tread cap is even stiffer. I am beginning to question whether I would even need to put air in them, assuming I can ever get them mounted.
One of the local dealers has a rim clamp tire machine, I think I am going to take advantage of their flat rate tire mounting offer and let them sweat over these %$#@* things.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

I had a go at mounting them today. HOLY *BLEEEEEP*!!!! These things are a nightmare!!
I have a Coates 4040 tire machine, so I thought "No Problem", little bit of instant gratification seeing nice new rubber on my shiny "new" rims. NOT!!
After about a half hour of wrestling with the first one, I was only able to get one bead over the rim, the second one wouldn't go over for love nor money. The side walls have absolutely no give to them, and the tread cap is even stiffer. I am beginning to question whether I would even need to put air in them, assuming I can ever get them mounted.
One of the local dealers has a rim clamp tire machine, I think I am going to take advantage of their flat rate tire mounting offer and let them sweat over these %$#@* things.

The chinese will write what ever you want on them ifyou order a container full. Brands mean nothing. I know what you mean about mounting them. I have some 10 ply 10 by 16.5 Ihad to put in my log splitter to squeeze the beads down into the goove on the rim. Usually the only trouble is getting the beads to seat, skidsteer tires are usually easy.
Ken

 

[SkidRoe]

The chinese will write what ever you want on them ifyou order a container full. Brands mean nothing. I know what you mean about mounting them. I have some 10 ply 10 by 16.5 Ihad to put in my log splitter to squeeze the beads down into the goove on the rim. Usually the only trouble is getting the beads to seat, skidsteer tires are usually easy.
Ken

Pops managed to get them on. He's a bit more resourceful than me. He clamped a pair of visegrips on the flange to keep the the bead from sliding off while the tire machine did it's job.