Change Your Riding Lawn Mower Tires

by DoItYourself Staff

Whether you have picked up a nail or opened your shed after a long winter to find a rotted tire, it's time to change. Riding lawn mower repair and maintenance is a bit more in-depth than that of a push mower. However, this process is still relatively simple, so follow these quick steps to ensure smooth riding.

Step 1: Getting It On Lock-Down

Put the mower in gear and put on the parking brake to prevent the riding mower from rolling and to keep the tire in place as you work with it. Try to leave the rim on the axle. Doing so will allow you all the leverage needed for the job and will cut down dramatically on the amount of time needed to complete it.

Step 2: Getting It Off the Ground

Just like your car, be sure to get the floor jack under a cross member or frame rail to avoid damage. Crank the jack to raise the tire off of the ground. For safety (your own and your nice lawn mower) do this on level ground, preferably stone or cement. Engage the safety latch on your jack.

Step 3: Before You Can Remove the Tire

Mowers can vary, so your front tires may be on spindles. If this is the case, you will need to remove the black rubber boot that covers the end of the spindle. Using a pair of pliers, grab the entire boot and slowly pull it off. Take care as not to tear it.

At this point, you will see that the tire is held on with a small metal c-clip. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the c-clip . At this point, the c-clip tends to fly off and is easy to lose, so take care.

Step 4: Breaking the Beads

Now you will have access to the valve core. Carefully release the air from the tire by unscrewing the valve core and replace afterward.

Next, break both the inside and outside beads, using a tire iron. Be careful not to hit the rim. Remove the inner tube, but note that your mower's tire may not have one. Work the outside bead over the outside of the rim. Do the same with the inside bead.

Step 5: Getting the New Tire One On

Lubricate both beads of the new tire with a penetrating lubricant or tire lube. Set the tire onto the rim at about a 45-degree angle and force the rim inside of the tire as much as possible. Use the tire iron again to work the bead around the rim. This is the time to insert the inner-tube if you have one.

Step 6: Pump It Up

Use a ratchet strap to secure the tire's beads and attach the air hose to fill the tire and you're done!

Step 1: Getting It On Lock-Down

Put the mower in gear, but put on the parking brake to prevent the riding mower from rolling and to keep the tire in place as you work with it. Try to leave the rim on the axle. Doing so will allow you all the leverage needed for the job and will cut down dramatically on the amount of time needed to complete it.

Step 2: Getting It Off the Ground

Just like when working on your car, be sure to get the floor jack under a cross member or frame rail to avoid damage. Crank the jack to raise the tire off of the ground. For safety (your own and your nice lawn mower) do this on level ground, preferably stone or cement. Engage the safety latch on your jack.

Step 3: Before You Can Remove the Tire

At this point, you will see that the tire is held on with a small metal c-clip. Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the c-clip . At this point, the c-clip tends to fly off and is easy to lose, so take care.

Step 4: Breaking the Beads

Now you will have access to the valve core. Carefully release the air from the tire by unscrewing the valve core. Replace afterward.

Next, use a tire iron to break both the inside and outside beads. Be careful not to hit the rim.

Remove the inner tube, but note that your mower's tire may not have one. Work the outside bead over the outside of the rim. Do the same with the inside bead.

Step 5: Getting the New Tire One On

Lubricate both beads of the new tire with a penetrating lubricant or tire lube. Set the tire onto the rim at about a 45-degree angle, and force the rim inside of the tire as much as possible. Use the tire iron again to work the bead around the rim. This is the time to insert the inner-tube if you have one.