Mounting small turf tires

beenthere · May 10, 2017

I have two new 16 x 7.5 - 8 turfs for the 425 AWS.. any good hints on getting these skins back on the rims? Ready to do battle tomorrow.. and was slyly looking at the $42 HF mini tire mounting tool.. but seems like over-kill. Appreciate any thoughts.. better than a few screw drivers.
Mini-Tire Changer

jenkinsph · May 10, 2017

I have my local tire dealer do this work now. I am too old and tired to bust my knuckles anymore well worth the 7.50 per tire to mount them.

tomplum · May 10, 2017

That little changer works well enough for small tires if you have the use for it. I use it to tube front tires, usually send the bigger ones to the tire dealer. Most dealers in OPE don't even do their own tire service.

ning · May 11, 2017

I just replaced some 15x6.00-6 tires on my mower "tractor" (26hp Sears unit; I'm sure it's made of paper but it didn't complain about mowing through some 36" thick grass - slow but hasn't died yet. Yeah I'm not nice to it but it's been too wet this spring to get to it before!).

I've got some smaller tire irons I picked up for motorcycle tires; I've never replaced any tires other than bicycle tires and this worked about the same just more effort.

What I did:

If you can remove the valve core, do so. I didn't because I couldn't find a core removal tool at the moment, which made it tough to get the bead unstuck, so I...
Used a clamp to get the bead to come off of the rim - I tried jumping on it but my tires were so small that I almost killed myself and it didn't move the bead; the clamp got it unstuck easily and then I was able to get both sides free easily.
Have a bowl of very soapy water & a sponge or paintbrush. Get the part of the tire that you're working to get over the rim soapy and it'll move much more easily
Do the tire iron thing. Add more soap and do more of the tire iron thing.

It took me about 12 minutes to do the first tire (remove the old, put the new one on) and 5 for the second.
I like the look of that Harbor Freight changer; if my previous lawn tractor had ever needed new tires, or this one got less than 8 years from that set, I'd consider buying one, but it would probably almost never get used.

For what it's worth, I found some Ag-style tires for my rears (Les Schwab installed those for $25 for the pair a couple months back) and o.m.g., I don't have to wait for the grass to be bone-dry to mow on my little hill... though they made it painfully obvious that my fronts were worn out as the rears just pushed the front and didn't let them turn much. I was unable to find more "grippy" 15-6-6 tires than the typical turfs, but they seem to be turning ok now.

Industrial Toys · May 11, 2017

I have always used tractor forks to break the beads. My one set is really handy as they are hyd adjustable.

I fought with some turf tires a week or so ago. Had rims powder coated and was worried about messing them up.

First I welded up a jig with a round plate and two inch tube that I could put in the vice. Tapped the plate 1/2" NC and bolted on the hub. Now the thing wasn't going anywhere. It was just a little high to work on.

I really should get spoons as screwdrivers and pry bars do damage.

The first one went not too bad, but I thought I would get smart and do the second backwards and limit more of the edge damage to the rear. No Go! I fought with that sucker not understanding why I was having such a hard time. Then I clued in, that the rim is a different diameter one side to the next and you have to work with the narrower end first.

I also used wire pulling lube, which helped a lot. That and a pair of vice grips clamped to the edge (with electrical tape) so that the one side didn't come back off.

Industrial Toys · May 11, 2017

The jig to hold the wheel.

I put a plywood washer in between to protect the rim and plastic washers on the bolts.

beenthere · May 11, 2017

Picked up the mini changer and the one real plus was the part that holds the wheel.. similar to how IT suggests in his pic. Took some pics and will put them up soon. Using a couple vice grips to hold at the rim as the tire tool worked the bead around and where some ground was gained made the job go smoothly.
The gratifying sound of air going into the tire rather than leaking out was the real satisfaction.. that the job was done.
Thanks to the thoughts.

Oldoak · May 11, 2017

Good job!

Until I read your latest post I was going to say, after your wrestled changing those tires without the aid of at least the mini changer, you wouldn't have that the mini changer was such overkill.

I wrestled changing similar size tires just last month. Wish I had known about the mini-changer.

beenthere · May 11, 2017

The tire iron I picked up for under $3 was very handy.. good leverage and spoon on the end, as well as smooth chrome-like finish really worked well putting the tires back on the wheels.
Removing the tires was a sweaty ordeal.. but expect that the mini changer will speed that up quite a bit with the bead breaker and long tool.
Pic of breaking the bead with three wood clamps.. not the best.
Another of the two wheels after some Deere yellow spray paint and the parts of the changer on the bench. Clamped a part in the vise rather than bolting it to the bench.
And a few pretty fair youtube vids of this mini changer..
Harbor freight mini-tire changer review - YouTube
Looking back, I'm happy, as it would have cost me about $20 a tire to have it done..