How to Change a Tire on a Lawn Tractor

You only use it seasonally, and then it sits in the shed, garage or backyard for the remainder of the year. Even though you may not have many hours on the tractor, the tires are still made of rubber and are much thinner-walled that an automotive tire. From wear and tear and exposure, it doesn't take long to compromise the rubber of a tractor tire. Soon, dry cracks will develop and eventually start to leak. Having to replace tires on a lawn tractor isn't a lot of fun, but it can be done and you can save a little money on labor charges by doing it yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Floor jack Jack stand Wheel chock Valve core remover 1/2-inch breaking bar with extension deep enough to reach lug studs lug nuts 1/2-inch drive socket to fit lug studs or lug nuts A large pair of good vise grips Two or three medium pry bars or very large screwdrivers Dish soap Portable air compressor

1. Loosen the lug nuts or lug studs with a 1/2-inch breaking bar with a deep extension and the appropriate-size socket.

2. Place the wheel chock on the end of the opposite axle tire you're removing.

3. Lift the tractor with the floor jack, and place the jack stand beneath it in a safe and secure spot.

4. Remove the tire. Remove the valve stem cap, and unscrew the valve core with a valve-core remover. Put it in a safe spot so you do not lose it. Allow all the air to purge from the tire.

5. Break the bead of the tire. This is going to be the most challenging part of the project. One way of doing it is to let the air out of the tire while it's on the tractor and drive it around until the bead separates, but it's not exactly the safest way. You can also step on the tire while using a pry bar or very large screwdriver to pry between the bead and the rim. It won't be easy, but it will pay off. The good news is the sidewalls of tractor tires are not as durable as car tires. The bad news is you don't have a tire machine, so you're going to have to do it the old-fashioned way.

6. Repeat the bead breaking on the opposite side. This side might be a little easier, but there are no guarantees.

7. Apply the vise grips to the edge of the rim very tightly. The tighter you can get them on without physically damaging or bending the rim, the better. With one pry bar or screwdriver, reach down on the left side of the vise grips and lift the tire bead up over the vise grip and hold it there.

8. Step on the rim to support it.

9. Pry another part of the tire on the right side of the vise grips and pull that up over the rim and hold it. Pull the pry bar out from the left side of the vise grips and allow the vise grip end to support the bead, while still holding the other pry bar on the right side of the vise grips. Use the pry bar you just removed and find another spot to the right of the pry bar you're holding and lift another piece of the bead and hold it. Continue to work this way all the way around the top bead in a clockwise fashion. If a part of the bead slips, start over near the area where it did. The vise grips should hold that one part of the bead above the rim.

10. Repeat this same procedure with the bottom bead. It's going to be harder to manipulate because the tires are wide, but with the top bead off, you're going to be able to manipulate the tire more easily.

11. Clean the rim of any rust or corrosion if necessary.

12. Rub a liberal amount of dish soap concentrate around the bottom bead of the new tire. With the vise grips still in place, take the tire and place it over the vise grips at an angle, with the rim still lying flat on the ground. Turn the tire in a clockwise motion on the bottom bead to the rim, only applying pressure while keeping the rim as still and steady as possible. It might help to get someone to stand on the rim if it's large enough or even just to hold it for you. Once the bead starts to bite, continue to turn the tire onto the rim. Apply more soap if it helps.

13. Start the top bead the same way, but you're probably not going to be able to get the entire bead on by spinning the tire. Using the vise grips as an anchor point, spin the tire are far as you can below the rim edge and then start using the pry bars or screwdrivers and work your way around like you did to take it off.

14. Inflate the tire with a portable air compressor. You might try waiting to insert the valve core to allow more pressurized air to build up until the beads of both sides are seated. A come-a-long strap can be handy to wrap around the tire, and try to place pressure on the bead while trying to seat the tire. When the beads are seated, insert the valve core and adjust the air pressure to proper PSI inflation.

15. Replace the tire on the tractor and tighten the lug nuts hand-tight. Lower the tractor, and tighten the lug nuts with a breaking bar.