Changing Tires

[sta500rdr]

Is it possible to change lawn tractor tires without taking them into a tire shop? I have never tried, I just thought I would ask and see if anyone else has.

[xenon172]

Yes if you have an old set of tire irons. Do it quite often and it's not to hard once you get the hang of it.

[Steevo]

I bought $39 tire changer from Harbor Freight. It has a good bead breaker, and makes mounting/dismounting easier. It is far from perfect, but does the job and is easier than fighting tire irons, especially for removal.

[sta500rdr]

ooh thats a good idea. Also, does anyone know a good place to purchase inexpensive tractor tires. Mine are pretty dried out and cracked and I need the traction of an agriculture tread. TSC is local, but seems a bit pricey.

[Boney]

There is a member here that changes his own tires and uses somthing along the line of lighter fluid to set the beed when installing the tire. I thought that was way cool but I dont have the know how or berries to do it. He is a very handy, mechanical guy,,,,unlike myself. I wouldnt do it that way without someone there that knows what they are doing.

[HubbardRA]

Yes, Herm, I am the one who suggested using starter fluid to seat tires that would not seat on their own. I would not recommend it on any tire, unless you cannot get it to seat otherwise. I have one of the Harbor freight tire changers, that is large enough to automobile tires. I just mounted two 15 inch tires that were load range C, and put them on a trailer that I have. I still use screw drivers and prybars for portions of the mounting. I can't easily mount and dismount the tires with the equipment that came with the tire changer. Now that I have worked out my own tire mounting and dismounting methods, it is relatively easy to change a truck tire. Garden tractor tires are also relatively easy, once you understand how it is done.