An evenly mowed lawn does not only look healthy and gorgeous but is also the ultimate dream of any gardener. However, achieving an even lawn doesn’t come on a silver platter. You ought to ensure you keep your mower’s blade well sharpened and also change mower’s blade when required. Additionally, for an even mow you need to ensure that your tires have an intact thread. In this article you will get to know How to Change a Lawn Mower Tire with ease.
Whether the tire’s thread has worn out or you just popped it, you’ll occasionally be needed to change your mower’s tire. Just like other mower’s maintenance practices, endeavor to do this before the start of the mowing season.
Luckily, changing a lawn mower tire is easy and only takes a few minutes to tackle the job. It just requires a few tools and manufacturer’s approved replacement parts and you’re good to go. This post will not only answer all your queries on how to change a lawn mower tire but also offer unmatched insights pertaining mower’s tire. Read on.
Signs It’s Time to Change a Lawn Mower Tire
- Worn down thread. Check the thread frequently and ensure they’re in the right state thus minimizing time wastage when you’re mowing the lawn.
- Presence of dry rot problems. Inspect the tires regularly for dry rot and cracks in the rubber. Dry rot makes tires unreliable and can cause their blow out.
- Significant wobbling of the lawn mower. Even though mowers are designed to wobble slightly, if it becomes significant then your lawn may look like a person with a bad haircut. You don’t want that, right! So, check the axle nut frequently and do the necessary adjustment then ensure there’s no tire deformation. In case of uneven tires, change them.
- Need to frequently fill the tire. This is an early indication that it has a hole because ideally, you shouldn’t be refilling mower’s tires every now and then. If your mower’s tire requires frequent refilling, you may need to change it or find the holes and patch them with a tire sealant.
How to Change a Lawn Mower Tire?
Requirements
- New lawn mower tire
- 50/50 dish soap & water mixture
- Pair of pliers
- Valve stem tool
- Tire pressure gauge
- Paint brush
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- 2 large slotted screwdrivers
- Air compressor
- This will also save money instead of hauling you machine to the mechanic.
- An assortment of wrenches-these will depend on the size of the tire’s nuts
- A little time.
Let’s get started!
Step 1: Disconnect the Spark Plug
Hoping you have your personal protective equipment on-especially hand gloves and safety goggles, start by locking down the mower. This is how you do it.
- Ensure you put your mower in gear.
- While engaging the parking brakes, park your lawn mower on the level surface. This prevents it from moving while you work on it.
- Switch off the ignition and remove the keys.
- Lift the mower’s hood and disconnect the spark plug wire. This is done to ensure it doesn’t accidentally start thus avoiding any injury during the process.
Step 2: Lift up the Mower
With the lawn mower parked flat on an even surface, proceed as below.
- Block the tires that don’t require any replacement to prevent the mower from rolling.
- Position your floor jack under the frame.
- Jack up the mower to raise the tires you intend to change off the ground.
- Once it’s secure, place the jack stand underneath to support your mower.
- Remove the jack
Step 3: Before You Start To Removing the Tire
Depending on the model of your mower, we’ve to address some issues here before proceeding. Okay, some mower’s tires, especially the front ones may be on spindles.
Check and if this is the case with your mower, you’ll find some rubber boot at the end of the spindle. Start by removing them. To do this, use a pair of pliers to pull it off slowly without causing any tear.
Step 4: Remove the Tire
At this juncture, the tire is now visible. It’s normally secured with a tiny metallic C-clip. Ply it off using a flathead screwdriver. This C-clip can easily fly off so be careful not to lose it. Also, if the tires have keys holding the rim and axle together, remove them before starting any repairs.
Detach the debris cap from the tire followed by the washers. Ensure you collect all washers as well. You hands can do that without any hassle. After removing the cap and the washers, you’ll have access to the key. Take the pliers, remove the pin on the wheel and slide it off the axle.
Step 5: Deflate the Tire
- Unfasten and remove the valve stem cap.
- Press a needle down to remove all the air therein.
- Remove the valve core using the valve stem tool. Be keen in case there was some more air inside.
Step 6: Remove the Old Tire from the Rim
To let the tire slip off easily and prevent any possible damage to the rim, proceed as follows.
- Using the paintbrush, apply the soap and water solution at the point where the tire and the rim meet. This is done to ensure optimal lubrication thus making its removal carefree.
- Use two screwdrivers to pry beneath then work your way around it.
- Apply additional water solution on the opposite side.
- Using the screwdrivers, get the rim out of the center.
- After the tire gets out, clean the rim with soap and water.
Step 7: Get the New Tire On
Start by lubricating the beads of the new tire with a tire lube or penetrating lubricant. As alluded hereinabove, dish soap and water solution serves this purpose. Apply an ample amount around the center of the new tire then:
- Pry the tire open with the screwdrivers.
- Slide the tire onto the rim at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
- Using the tire iron, force the rim into the tire and then continue to work the beads around it. You may apply more soap and water solution as needed.
- If you have any inner-tube, insert if at this stage.
- Secure the tire’s beads using the ratchet strap.
Step 8: Inflate the New Tire
Once everything is in place, proceed as follows.
- Fix back the valve stem core.
- Connect the air compressor’s hose.
- Carefully pump up the tire to make it grip the rim firmly.
- Continually check the tire pressure and pump it until it reaches the PSI range specified by the manufacturer.
Step 9: Reinstall the Wheel
- Replace the washers and return the tire on the axle.
- Fix back the C-clip and then the debris cap.
Step 10: Lower the Mower
- Replace the jack under the frame and raise it while ensuring it supports the mower.
- Slowly remove the jack stand and then set the mower back to its default position on the ground.
- Finally, reconnect the spark plug and you’re done.
Undoubtedly, even if you have all the time in the world, unnecessary change of lawn mower tire is something that you’ll wish to eliminate. As such, you may need some insights on how to make your mower’s tires serve you for longer.
How to Make Your Lawn Mower Tires Last For Long
You may not have thought much about them, but lawn mower tires also deserve your attention once in a while, especially at the start of the mowing season.
Regular maintenance will ensure you identify any issue that could result into maintenance problems after some time. Uphold these tips in order to keep your lawn mower tires in great shape and see yourself enjoy a blissful mowing season.
- Proper Level of Inflation. Always consult the user’s manual for the recommended pressure. Ideally, it should be between 18 PSI and 22 PSI. It should neither be under-inflated nor over-inflated, else it will wear much faster and also have an adverse effect on the amount of traction your mower has when mowing downhill or uphill.
- Regular Inspection of the amount of Tire Threads. Worn down thread blocks can cause wheel spin problems while steering. Always check the amount of thread that’s left and for any dry-rot and cracks. Ideally, there should be 3/32 of an inch thread left for a safe mowing. Worn out threads are danger zones.
Final Verdict
So, how did it go for you? We just hope that you had a smooth time while changing your lawn mower tire. What’s more, we hope your new tire now feels at home and works as desired. If there’s something we should know, kindly leave a comment in the section below. We’ll be glad to hear from you as well.
