I’d like to get a big ol’ tractor tire and sledge as an exercise, outlet for rage, etc.
I was just looking around the 'net for both items as I don’t know much about either. Is a 20lb sledge the biggest typically? Would you guys recommend this as the right size for ‘the job’?
I looked up tractor tires on Amazon and they had measurements (ex: 20x800x8). What do these refer to?
I’d obviously much rather nab one from a junkyard, but I don’t know where or how to find one. Any thoughts on that?
What I would like to know is, how big of a sledge should I look for? How big of a tire should I be looking for to mash up with a sledge without worrying about it actually getting mashed up? Finally, how would I find a junkyard near me?
I just picked up my tire last weekend. not sure about side walls, size and weight etc… they had about 20 tires in back for free. find one you think will do the job. try it out. etc… I’m curious to hear peoples responses on what sledge weight to use.
You don’t want a 20lb sledgehammer. In fact, you should look for an 8-10lb one. It will be more than enough.
Tires can be found for free at a local dump or tire depot or recycling place. Or you could find someplace that has large trucks/equipment that use big tires and ask them for one they no longer use. Search your phone book, Google or local government listings for the landfill, recycling programs, etc.
The tire you use for sledgehammering should have decent sidewalls and strength. It could be the same size tire you use for flipping or it could be smaller (from a smaller tractor or a pickup).
Check out the videos of Ross using a sledge and tire:
Tread width, tire diameter, sidewall height. Those are the three dimensions typically used in sizing a tire. Not sure what units (or order) 20x800x8 would be, but you’re looking to hit this thing with a hammer, not mount it on a rim – besides, a new tire that big would be very expensive. Go to a yard and get an old tire for cheap (or free).
Junk yard = parts yard = auto salvage = used car parts. Use your yellow pages.
As for a sledge, I’ve never done a workout w/one, but I’ve done WORK with one. 20 pounds is a big sledge – isn’t shit to pick up, but you’ll change your mind after you’ve been swinging it for a few minutes.
Finally, here’s an article on sledge training. There’s a part on choosing a sledge, which, if you’ll look for tractor tires on Amazon, I think you should read:
God damn, that Ross guy is an animal. One-handed rollouts had me.
I’m glad someone recommended against the 20lb sledge. I know if I’d gotten everything together and started sledging away I’d instantly feel like an idiot, knowing in my muscles, they wouldn’t be able to keep pace with a 20lber.
The tire in his video didn’t seem to be very strong. I imagine having a tire that barely moves when I hit it. Is this unrealistic as a result of lack of experience or could/should I be searching for such a heavy duty tire?
Get a sledge. Find a junkyard. Call and ask them if they have big ol’ tires for cheap/free – even tell 'em what you want 'em for if you like. See if you can take your sledge and hit a few. Bring home the one you like. If you don’t get the perfect tire to start, it’s not like you’re stuck with it for life. I’m not a farmer and I’ve never hit a tire, so this is the best advice I can give you. Don’t overthink this before you start – the parts yards in your area might not have your ideal tire size/rigidity, even if you are somehow able to determine it beforehand.
I got my tires from a tire recycling plant. They had thousands upon thousands of tires to choose from. All it cost me was the rental fee for the truck to haul them away.
if you are looking for a tire to flip as well as hit, then you need to find a place where you can get a monster.
I just got a car size tire for free from a tire shop and a 10 lb sledge and it’s plenty heavy for a brutal workout in the back yard. The gym I go to has a big tire that I flip and then I hit with a 16lb sledge and it’s a huge difference. That 16 is nasty, I wouldn’t go all the way with a 20 to start.