Help Mounting tires on small rims (5")

[ah64_ip29]

I have a JD F915, and have been able to change the main tires, 8" and 10" rims, with conventional tire irons and techniques. However, I'm having trouble with the 5" ones on the front of the mower. Can anyone give me some tips on removing and installing tubeless tires (11 x 4.00 - 5) on these small rims?

 

[RickB]

Clamp a drift punch or other similar hardened rod of the proper size in a well-anchored vise and drop the rim's axle bearing bore over the rod. Go at it with a pair of small spoons designed for tires that size, or my choice, a couple large screwdrivers.

 

[zzvyb6]

Use a lot of liquid soap on the tire bead. I'm guessing that you are having trouble chasing the start portion of getting the bead over the rim. (You need 3 arms and hands to do this properly).

Use 2 sets of vice grips on the rim flange to keep the tire bead from slipping back when you change the position of the levering tool. When you are ready to slip a new section of the tire, release the grips nearest the tool and advance the bead, then reinstall the vice grips to hold it in position.

These are drop center rims so conventional wisdom also applies: Keep the opposite side of the bead in the drop center area of the wheel while you do the leverage tool deal (Or a set of large screw drivers as in many cases).

Getting air in these can be a problem, too. The soap really helps getting the bead to pop onto the rim with any tricks, but if that doesn't work, there's always the starter fluid technique. No more than 2 seconds, please...

 

[ah64_ip29]

Do they make smaller tire irons? Where might I find some? I'm still trying to get the old tire off. I'm using a HF tire iron that worked great on the bigger wheels. I put a rod in my vise and slid the wheel onto it for some stability. On the smaller, I can get the initial bite and get the first edge over the rim, but can't get in to get another bite. When I finally did get enough leverage to get another section over the rim (about 30 - 40 degrees around the rim from the first), the pressure on the rim from the tire iron bent the rim pretty badly. That rim wasn't in very good shape anyway, but I want to be able to get the tire off the other rim without damage as it is still in good shape.

 

[zzvyb6]

Its a drop center rim. You need to set the tire bead inward and downward so that it moves the rest of the tire away from the rim.

As far as smaller tools, that's why they make large Craftsman screwdrivers.

Since the old tires are being replaced, use a die grinder to cut the bead of them.

It shouldn't take that much force that it bends the rims unless they are very rusted. (In which case you are gonna need tubes because they won't hold air).

The only reason to avoid screw drivers for this is if you have tubes in there that you don't want punctured. It still can be done, but with brain surgeon finesse.