Keeping your lawn in great shape is easy with a riding lawn mower but in order to keep it running and in good shape, it needs regular maintenance. Changing the lawn mower tires is one of the things that’ll need to be done from time to time. Since this is not done regularly, many people don’t know the proper procedure involved in changing the tires but it’s not as complicated as it might seem.
Things You’ll Need:
• Hand Jack
• Ratchet
• Socket Set
• Pliers
• Flathead Screwdriver
• Tire Iron
Prepare Your Lawn Mower
Step 1: Push or drive the riding lawn mower to an area in the yard or in your driveway that is flat.
Step 2: Put the lawn mower in neutral and set the parking brake. Place a brick or large rock behind one of the wheels and another one in front of the same wheel. This will keep the mower in place while you’re removing the tire.
Step 3: Place the hand jack under the frame and lift the tire up high enough that the bottom of the tire doesn’t touch the ground. Once you reach the desired height, put the safety latch on to prevent the jack from slipping.
Remove the Wheel
Step 1: Use the ratchet and socket set to loosen the bolts on the wheel of the tire that needs to be removed and pull it off the axle.
Step 2: If the tire you plan to remove is on spindles, then use a pair of pliers to remove the rubber cap that covers the spindle. Be careful and work slowly to avoid tearing the cap.
Step 3: Once the boot is removed you’ll see a c-clip made of metal which can be removed with a flathead screwdriver. Once you pop off this c-clip, pull the wheel off the axle.
Remove the Tire from the Wheel
Step 1: Place the tire and wheel flat on the ground or on a work bench. Unscrew the air valve cap and release any air in the tire.
Step 2: Break the seal between the tire and rim by using a large flathead screwdriver or the tire iron to break loose the inside and outside bead that secures the tire to the rim. Be careful not to damage the rim.
Step 3: Starting with the outside edge of the tire place the screwdriver between it and the rim. Begin slowly pulling the edge of the damaged tire over the rim with the screwdriver until the entire side of the tire is on the outside of the rim.
Step 4: Do the same thing for the inside part of the tire and this will completely remove the tire from the riding lawn mower.
Tips: Some lawn mower tires have tubes that will need to be removed as soon as the outside part of the tire has been worked off the rim and before you start on the inside part of the tire.
Warnings: If the lawn mower is not on a flat surface when lifting it off the ground with the hand jack, it could slip and fall causing injury or damage to the mower. If the jack is not placed on the frame then it could cause damage to the mower.
