How to Change a Tire Tube Mower

A riding mower's tire pressure can affect the mower's cutting ability. An overinflated tire can cause a rise in the mower's height from the ground and will result in little cutting of the grass. An underinflated tire can cause overcutting of the grass due to the lowered height of the mower. The underinflated tire scenario is more likely to occur, as the tire's tube can be punctured or damaged. The tire's air could also leak through a damaged tire valve stem. When the tire's tube fails to hold air, it is time to replace it.

• 1

  Park the mower on a hard, flat surface. Engage the parking break and turn the mower's engine off.

• 2

  Place the jack under the mower's frame, near the tire that needs to be changed.

• 3

  Lift the mower up by pumping the jack. Stop when the mower's tire is above the ground and can rotate freely.

• 4

  Stack the wooden blocks under the mower's frame, near the jack. The stack of wooden blocks should be as high as the jack. This is a safety precaution, in case the jack slips under the mower.

• 5

  Remove the tire's hubcap and washers to remove the tire from the mower. Set the hubcap and washers aside. Refer to your lawnmower's owners' manual for the proper way of removing the tires.

• 6

  Lay the tire flat on the ground with the tire's valve stem at the top. Remove the valve stem's cap.

• 7

  Release the tire's air by pushing on the valve stem's pin with the flat-head screwdriver.

• 8

  Wedge the screwdriver between the wheel's rim and the tire. Break its bead by pushing down on the tire with the screwdriver. Continue to do this until the tire's entire bead has been pried loose. Repeat this procedure on the tire's other side.

• 9

  Apply the tire lube on both of the tire's beads to make it easier to remove and replace them.

• 10

  Pry the top bead over the rim with the flat-head screwdriver, using the rim as leverage. Work your way around the rim while moving the screwdriver up and down until the top bead of the tire is completely over the rim.

• 11

  Insert your hand into the tire just above the tire's valve stem. Pull the tube out of the tire by pulling out the valve stem from the rim first.

• 12

  Insert the new tire tube into the tire by inserting its valve stem into the rim's valve stem hole. Insert all of the tube inside the tire.

• 13

  Push the tire's top bead under the rim. Use the flat-head screwdriver again to completely insert the tire's top bead under the rim.

• 14

  Fill the tire with air using the portable air compressor. Refer to the mower's owners' manual for the proper tire air pressure. Replace the valve stem's cap.

• 15

  Mount the wheel to the mower. Insert the wheel's washers and lock the wheel in place with the hubcap.

• 16

  Remove the stack of wooden blocks from under the mower. Lower the mower to the ground by releasing the pressure on the jack, then remove the jack.