Accidents happen whether it’s with lawn mowers or other pieces of equipment. Knowing what causes these accidents and what to do about them can go a long way toward a frustration-free experience.
So, when it comes to how to put a lawn mower tire back on the rim, let us help you out by making the process clear and easy.
In this content you’ll learn:
Steps For How To Put Lawn Mower Tire Back On The Rim
A tire issue brings your riding lawn mower to a halt until you fix it. To make that process nice and simple, we’ve laid out all the steps you’re going to need to take to do just that. Let’s get started.
A quick note before we get started though: the steps below are for tubeless tires. This is because the majority of riding lawn mowers come with tubeless tires.
1 – Getting The Right Tools
Here are the tools you’ll need to complete this job:
One thing to note is that you won’t always need all of these tools. It will simply depend on what the issue is that caused the tire to slide off the rim in the first place. However, it is always a good idea to have these tools handy as you will be ready for any maintenance issue you may face next.
2 – Being Safe
After getting your tools together, it’s important to take the proper safety steps. Even for a simple operation like this one, it’s always a good idea to be as safe as possible.
So, put on your safety goggles and work gloves, wear loose clothing and remove all jewelry. After that, you should be good to go. Still, if you don’t feel comfortable doing this operation on your own, you can always call in a professional to help.
3 – Preparing The Lawn Mower
Once you’re ready to go, you’ll want to make sure the lawn mower is ready too. First, turn it off if it isn’t already, then move it to a level surface. Next, get it ready to go on the jack by sliding a piece of plywood underneath it (just makes sure the wood is covering the whole area the lawn mower is sitting on).
Next, take the jack and put it under the part of the lawn mower that you’re going to jack up. In most cases, you should be able to jack the lawn mower up by the front or rear axle. If you’re unsure, owner’s manuals should have recommendations.
Once you have your lawn mower jacked up, put the jack stands underneath the axle and lower the lawn mower until it’s resting on them. Then you can remove the jack.
4 – Putting The Lawn Mower Tire Back On The Rim
Using the ratchet straps, wrap it around the tire and ratchet it until it’s pushing the middle portion of the tire down and the side portions outward. At this point, the tire should have a solid lock with the rim.
5 – Properly Inflating The Tire
Once you have sealed the tire to the rim, if it needs to be inflated, then now is the time to do so.
Inflate the tire with an air compressor pump at the manufacturer’s specified level. Your owner’s manual should have the recommended level listed. Do not inflate beyond this level.
If the tire is flat due to a puncture, then you’ll need to fix that issue and replace the tire as soon as you can. You can temporarily fix it if you’re trying to finish mowing, but the tire will need to be replaced eventually.
6 – Finishing Up After Putting the Lawn Mower Tire Back On The Rim
Once the tire is locked back onto the rim and properly inflated, you can remove the ratchet strap. Do so carefully and keep an eye on the tire as you do so.
Afterward, put the jack back under the lawn mower, remove the jack stands, then lower the lawn mower until you can pull the jack out too. Turn your lawn mower on and test it before continuing to mow.
What Causes A Lawn Mower Tire To Slide Off The Rim?
Before putting a tire back on the rim of a lawn mower, you’ll want to know what exactly caused the issue in the first place. After all, if it’s because the tire is flat, that’s a completely different issue than if it’s due to a manufacturing issue.
So, let’s get into what causes these issues in the first place.
Punctures
A puncture is a common issue with any tire. You may sometimes find nails or screws on the outer surface of the tire. In some cases, the nails may penetrate and get inside. If that happens, the tire can become flat and slide off the rim.
If a puncture is the reason for the tire being off the rim, you’ll need to get the tire back on the rim, but you’ll also need to replace the tire after that process too.
Tire Not Inflated Properly
Over inflation or under inflation can cause a tire to slide off the rim. If this is the case, and it’s not due to a puncture, getting the tire back on the rim and properly inflating it should fix the issue.
Faulty Valve Stem
A valve stem on lawn mower wheels is prone to wear and tear as they are made of thin rubbers. A subtle hole in the valve stem can cause air to leak out.
If you suspect this is the issue that’s causing the flat, which is causing the tire to slide off the rim, check the stem for any sign of damage. If this is the issue, replacing it should be the only thing you need to do.
Poor Sealing Between the Rim and the Tire
The bead of the tubeless tire and the lip of the rim make an air-tight sealing to keep the air inside.
Irregularity or imperfection in this sealing can lead to an air leak and cause a flat tire. Making the connection right and inflating the tube will fix the problem.
Wear And Tear
Over time, parts wear down. This is especially true for lawn mowers, which can take a real beating when they’re being used. Occasionally, this can result in issues that cause the tire to slide off the rim.
Manufacturing Issue
Although we would hope this would never happen, it’s possible for manufacturing to result in issues that cause tires to slide off the rim. Sometimes these are hard to spot, so calling in a professional is never a bad idea.
Conclusion: How To Put A Lawn Mower Tire Back On The Rim
Thankfully, when it comes to how to put a lawn mower tire back on the rim, this is a simple process. With our steps, you’ll be back to mowing the lawn in no time.
What are your thoughts though? Got any tips for other maintenance issues with lawn mowers? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!