Safety note: Before you begin, make sure you have engaged the tractor parking brake, and chocked the wheels to prevent the tractor from moving while you are working on it. Never raise a lawn tractor using a jack only; always support the raised lawn tractor with jack stands.
1. Remove the wheel:
- Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that needs to be removed, but do not remove them completely just yet.
- Raise the front of the tractor using a jack and place jack stands beneath the frame to support it.
- Remove the lug nuts completely and take the wheel off the hub.
2. Remove the tire from the rim:
- Deflate the tire by pressing on the valve stem with a tire iron.
- Place the wheel on the ground with the valve stem facing up.
- Use two tire irons to pry the tire bead off the rim. Start by prying up one side of the bead, then work your way around the entire rim until the bead is completely loose.
- Once the bead is loose, you can pull the tire off the rim.
3. Install the new tire:
- Place the new tire on the rim, making sure that the valve stem is aligned with the valve hole.
- Push the tire bead into the rim by hand as much as possible.
- Use the tire irons to pry the rest of the tire bead over the rim. Work your way around the entire rim until the bead is completely seated.
4. Inflate the tire:
- Use a tire inflator to inflate the tire to the recommended pressure, which is typically 15 PSI.
- Check the tire pressure with a tire gauge to make sure it is correct.
5. Reinstall the wheel:
- Place the wheel back on the hub and thread the lug nuts back on.
- Tighten the lug nuts until they are snug, but do not overtighten them.
- Lower the tractor off the jack stands and remove them.
Note: If you do not have a jack, you can also change the tire by flipping the tractor over on its side and supporting it with a cinder block or other sturdy object. However, this method is more dangerous and should only be used if you are confident in your ability to do it safely.
