How to Put a Tube in a Lawn Mower Tire

How To Put A Tube In A Lawnmower Tire (Step-by-Step Guide)

When it comes to lawnmower maintenance, many owners tend to neglect the tires until there is a problem. Most mower tires are tubeless, which means that once they start cracking and getting worn, they won't hold air anymore. When that happens, you can either buy a new tire or install a tube inside.

To put a tube in a lawnmower tire, you have to cut the valve stem off, break the bead, and pull the rubber off of the rim. Next, you have to insert the tube into the tire, and then put it back onto the rim.

When doing this, be sure to hold the tube's air valve in place; otherwise, it will get sucked into the tire and be impossible to pull out again. Once the wheel is back on, inflate the tube to pop the beads into place.

This project is relatively simple, so we'll outline each step in detail and provide some tips and tricks on how to make it easier for you.

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Table of Contents

• What You'll Need to Install a Tire Tube
• Step by Step Guide to Installing a Tire Tube
  • Step One: Remove the Valve Stem
  • Step Two: Break the Tire Beads
  • Step Three: Remove the Rubber
  • Step Four: Insert the Tube
  • Step Five: Put the Rubber Back Onto the Rim
  • Step Six: Inflate the Tube
  • Step Seven: Reinstall and Test the Tire
• Safety Precautions
• Why Install a Tire Tube?
• Pros and Cons of Using an Innertube
• Related Questions
  • • Do I have to put tubes in all of my lawnmower tires?

What You'll Need to Install a Tire Tube

• Razor or Knife
• New Tire Tube
• Bench Vise
• Two Screwdrivers or Prybars
• Long Metal Pole
• Detergent or Soapy Water
• Pliers
• Washer

Step by Step Guide to Installing a Tire Tube

Step One: Remove the Valve Stem

On tubeless tires, the stem is attached to the rim. So, you will have to cut this piece off for the new valve to fit. This rubber isn't too thick, so you shouldn't have any problems cutting it with a small knife or razor. We recommend wearing gloves to be safe.

Step Two: Break the Tire Beads

There are several ways to do this, but the easiest is to lay the tire flat on the ground and stand on the sidewalls. Next, take a screwdriver or pry bar and wedge it between the rubber and the rim. Work the edge into the tire until the bead pops off. You'll have to work the piece around to break the entire bead. Next, you'll have to flip the tire over and do the same thing on the other side.

Step Three: Remove the Rubber

It can be tricky to pull the rubber off a tire, so an easy way to do it is to put a metal rod into a bench vise and place the tire on top of it. The rod will serve as the axle. Stick two screwdrivers or pry bars on either side of the pole and wedge them under the lip of the rubber.

Next, twist the drivers like you would a pair of scissors around the pole. Doing this will help loosen the rubber and pull it over the rim. From there, you can pull it off much more quickly.

Step Four: Insert the Tube

Make sure that you have the right-sized tube for your lawnmower tire. Otherwise, it may be too big once inflated. Put the tube into the rubber and make sure that the valve stem is sticking out.

Step Five: Put the Rubber Back Onto the Rim

This part is pretty tricky because of the valve stem. One way to make sure that it won't go back into the tire is to place a washer over the valve and then screw the cap back on. This trick works wonders, and you don't have to worry about holding the valve.

Another tip is to use detergent or soapy water to lubricate the bead. This will allow the rim to slide in easier. Once the rubber is sitting on the rim, you can use your bench vise again to help you secure the bead. We recommend starting at the back and moving your way forward. You will have to do this on both sides.

Step Six: Inflate the Tube

Now that the rubber is on the rim, you need to inflate the tube. However, you have to hold the valve stem while doing this to prevent it from getting sucked into the tire. In this case, the washer won't help because you have to take the cap off to inflate it. A pair of needlenose pliers will work well for this.

Use an air compressor to fill the tire, and the beads will snap into place. Be sure to check the air pressure so that you don't overinflate the wheel. At this point, the valve stem will stay out because of the pressure inside the tube.

Step Seven: Reinstall and Test the Tire

Put the wheel back onto your riding lawnmower and drive it for a little bit. This will let you know if there are any issues with the rubber or the rim.

Safety Precautions

Although this project is not too complicated, there is always a potential for danger. Here are some things to keep in mind while working.

• Don't Bend or Damage the Rim – When breaking the bead on the tire, be sure that you don't stand on the rim. If this piece bends or cracks, you'll have to buy a new one.
• Make Sure the Rod is Secure – Since you'll have to use a lot of force to get the rubber both on and off the wheel, you need to ensure that your bench vise won't slip or give out. If this happens, you could wind up hurting yourself in the process.
• Avoid Jerky Motions When Removing the Rubber – When using pry bars or screwdrivers to pull the rubber off a rim, you want to make sure that they won't slip out. Work slowly and smoothly so that this doesn't happen.
• Purchase a Smaller Tube If Necessary – Not all riding mower tires have a corresponding tube. Instead of buying one that is slightly too big, buying one a little smaller is better. Otherwise, the tube could bend over itself when you're inflating it, and that could cause it to burst.

Why Install a Tire Tube?

One of the benefits of having a tubeless tire is that you can use a sealant spray whenever the rubber starts to crack. All you have to do is inject the spray through the valve nozzle, and it will hold the rubber together. However, over time, the cracks will become too big for sealant, so you'll need a more permanent fix.

Instead of replacing the whole wheel, you can insert an innertube. This way, the cracks in the rubber won't be a big deal because the tube will contain all of the air. Also, tubes are much cheaper than a whole tire, and they will last a few years as long as you take care of them.

Pros and Cons of Using an Innertube

Even if your tire isn't so cracked that it won't hold air anymore, there are some other advantages of having a tube inside, including:

• Pro: Adjustable Tire Pressure – Tubeless models have to be kept at the maximum air pressure to keep the beads in place. However, with a tubed tire, you can lower the air pressure to allow for more flexibility and traction while driving.
• Con: Harder to Repair – If an innertube gets punctured, it can be difficult to fix. Fortunately, on a lawnmower tire, you could simply remove the tube and install a new one. That is assuming that there isn't a blowout, which will shred the rubber.
• Pro: Better for Long-Term Storage – Usually, tubeless tires will deflate over the winter, which can cause the beads to break. If that happens, you might have to remove the wheel and reposition the rubber to inflate it correctly. Alternatively, tubed tires will simply lose air, so you just have to put more in when you're ready to use the mower again.

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Do I have to put tubes in all of my lawnmower tires?

Realistically, you only have to install innertubes for the tires that need it. So, if only one of the wheels has problems, you can repair that one instead of all four. However, if one tire is cracked, chances are the others are close. Inspect the rest of your wheels to see if they can benefit from this project.

Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners and home improvement enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and gardening tips with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance, cleaning your carpet, or even putting up a fence, we've got you covered.

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How to Put a Tube in a Lawn Mower Tire

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