Does anyone know what size of tire irons I should get to mount lawn tractor mower tires, sizes from 15x6.0-6 to 18x9.5-8 ? Last time I mounted new tires on my large steel lawn cart, I had a hell of a time getting them on, using tire irons that I'm guessing were too big.

My thinking is that tire irons are sized for the size and type of tires being mounted, so I need the correct size for these guys.

Any advice appreciated. I won't be using screwdrivers fwiw.

As someone who's fought this battle a number of times in the past, pull the offending wheel(s) off and take it and the new tire(s) to your local lawnmower shop and let them do it. Its just not worth the fight.

Like mentioned, take it somewhere or maybe get one of those cheapie harbor freight tire changers. They have three types, mini, motorcycle and automotive. I think the mini would suit your application. They run about $45, probably less than some decent tire spoons. I have never used one but I have struggled with the tire spoons before and they wore me out.

I had one of the local tire places mount the last tire I put on my zero turn. Dropped it off, went a few other places I needed to go rather than waiting on it. When I went back to pick it up, I asked them how much I owed them, and they told me it was free. I insisted that I should pay them something for their time, but they said, "Nope, it only took a few minutes, and we don't want anything for doing it". They even disposed of the old tire for me.

I've mounted my own before using a big pry bar and a couple big screw drivers ..... having three hands would have been a lot more help than different tools. The bigger issue I usually have is getting the tire aired up. It's a royal pain getting the beads to seat on these lawn and garden tires.

quote:

Originally posted by shiftyvtec:
Like mentioned, take it somewhere or maybe get one of those cheapie harbor freight tire changers. They have three types, mini, motorcycle and automotive. I think the mini would suit your application. They run about $45, probably less than some decent tire spoons. I have never used one but I have struggled with the tire spoons before and they wore me out.

^^^ This!

Mine:




Link to original video: https://youtu.be/H65znBgIVwQ

WalMart $5 a tire!!

Had a Honda 828s snow blower that the tires just rotted after 13 years. Didn't want to spend Honda money so I ordered tires online that "pros" used. Well nobody could mount them, not Big O,Discount etc using gas or what ever. Trick was to run a ratcheting strap around the outside diameter of the tire when it was on the rim. Sucker sealed right up..

I’ve worked mounting car tires and I’ve use the tool Paul linked. Take them to a tire shop. The backs are easy but those front tires are a royal PITA. The beads cut easily putting them on.

A couple of years ago, I had to change the drive tires on my Turf Tiger. They're big enough that the wheels fit on our full sized tire changer, but small enough that there was no way in hell I was getting them on, even with an extra set of hands helping.

Took them to the local NTB just down the street.

The tires were so tight, they had trouble getting them on. I asked how it was going at one point and the tech just laughed and said they were so pissed off it had become personal and they were on a mission to get it done.

Wouldn't take any money for doing it - they were just glad to have prevailed over the tires.

I decided right then and there that I liked all of my fingers and would stick to changing full sized tractor tires when necessary. Other than that, all of my tires will be mounted by someone with insurance and better equipment than I have.

-Rob

I have some short ones that are about 8-10" of metal + a screwdriver-type handle.
I've done lawnmower & atv tires with them + a pry bar if I needed a 3rd hand. It's not that hard, but I busted tires all through high school & college, so I have a little practice.
Tire place should have someone who can do them in 10 minutes, less if they arent on smoke break. Probably cheaper & easier than buying spoons & learning.

A little dish soap & water on the bead goes a long way.

I just replaced the front tires on my JD LT155 lawn tractor. After pricing tires online, I called around locally and found Plaza Tire sold the tires for $18/tire and did free mounting.

That was cheaper than ordering them online not to mention then trying to get them mounted.

you do good videos

Well, I got desperate and used screwdrivers anyway, again. It works. It aint pretty or easy, but it worked. I'm getting to old for redneck lawn tractor tire changing. But I saved a LOT of $, tires were $14 each Walmart online, free shipping. I needed an extra boot however.

I think I've seen some kind of clip thing that keeps the tire under the rim, then you can go around, add another clip, until it's done. I wish I could remember what they're called.