How to: Install tube in lawn mower tire

If I might: 1) Soap up the entire tire where it meets the steel of the rim. Removing the tire becomes a lot easier. 2) Never use your naked hand to feel around in a space you can't see for sharp objects: good way to open yourself up. Instead, put on a work glove, and ball up a rag. If there's something in there, the rag will catch instead of your fingers. 3) Always use a work glove to clean the rim by wiping it down with a rag. Again, the glove will protect you from sharp edges. The "how to" on knocking sharp edges off the rim is spot on. Manufacturers don't concern themselves too much with sharp edges inside the rim, because they are designed for tubeless tires. Since we're adding a tube in this video... 4) Use soap to pull the new valve stem through. It reduces stress on it, and allows you to pull it through by hand until it pops into place, making circular motions as you pull. 5) Use baby powder or baking soda to first completely coat the inside of the tire with. This ensures that as you fill the tube with air, it will not pinch somewhere unseen within the tire where you won't know about it until it's too late, and you end up starting all over. 6) Use job specific pry bars on the tires, and not screwdrivers, which can, and do, cut tubes. 7) Sometimes, adding just enough air in the tube to get it to inflate can make it easier to get it to take up shape with the cavity of the tire. 8) If it's a four ply tire or better, and not a two ply as is in the video, good luck with that. Save yourself a lot of unnecessary stress by having the pros with a tire changing machine do it for you. [NOTE:] If reinstalling tubeless tires, make sure the rims are cleaned around the seating edges. This way, it won't slowly leak off at what is their max psi because, while that may be the tires operating limit, it's not sufficient for seating a stubborn tire. 9) After installing a new tubeless tire back onto the tractor, give it about a week or so take up, and hold, its new shape. They can be stubborn after being stored out of round in some warehouse for Lord knows how long. 10) I want to thank the creator of this video for taking the time to show the rest of how it's done. You sir, are a gentleman and scholar.

I did this daily as a 16 yr old working in a gas station with two large tire irons and a rubber mallet. This was on full size tires which I would make $3.00 per and I was happy to get it. This was back in 1963 by the way. This was between pumping gas and providing full-service. One year later I graduated to the manual tire machine and was amazed how fast you could do this. I worked while in high school and always had cash in my pocket - yeah...

Vice grip on rim was key to getting the tire back on the rim. Thank you for posting this good video.

thank goodness I watched your video, I have fought with a wheelbarrow tire for a week, just the part where you put your foot on one side made all the difference to me, I ran out of tools and ended up using large kitchen spoons, but I got that bugger back on. thank you so much for sharing.

I’ve used duck tape to line rims on lawnmowers and farm tractors when the rim is rusty or rough. It makes a nice, smooth surface for the tube.

Your patience is golden. I once did this in my hot garage. It whipped my butt. But this is the best video on this subject on KZhead!!!!

Best video by far on this subject.Very good tips that other videos did not mention.This will make my tube install go alot smother.Thank you

Very good video. Probably wouldn't have thought about the roughness of the weld on inside of rim. Mine was very sharp, tube wouldn't have lasted a week. Thank you.

Wish I had seen this before I put a tube in lawnmower tire last week. Fought it for 2 hours. You made it look simple.

After you have initially broken the tire bead away from the rim on both sides, liberally rub petroleum jelly all around the bead on the valve side, then put a long 1/2"-drive socket extension bar down the center axle hole in the hub, then use two long pry bars inserted under the bead of the tire like scissors around the extension bar for much easier removal of the tire from the rim. The tire will come off the rim in one continuous smooth motion, much like the automatic tire machines at the dealers. A lot easier than the painstaking process shown in this video.

I got tired of doing this to the front tires ,sooooo , last time I had a flat ( three ride ons ) I drilled a five hole bolt pattern through the flat part of the rim, then used my grinder to remove the weld and split the rims. Now it's easy to fix or replace the tubes.just remove the five bolts that hold the two half's together and presto , easy as hell ( be carefully removing the weld , those wheels are pressed out of pretty cheap steel .)

Oh my god! You have no idea how much you've saved my marriage with this video. I've been trawling KZhead trying to figure our how to do it and everywhere says pry bar and I've been struggling for weeks to change my flat. Refusing to goto the tyre shop... I found your video today and had the tyre changed in under an hour. Tears erupted when it was finally changed. Thank you so much!

This is a nice tutorial. IF you can actually get the damn tire of the mower. I think mine is stuck on for life. I've tried everything and can't get the tire off. I ended up doing basically what you did, but with the tire on the mower. As soon as I inflated it, the tire stem pulled inside the tire, and now I'm screwed. So I am trying to order an inner tube with a threaded valve stem so I can put a bolt on the stem on the outside of the rim to keep it from pulling inside the tire. The valve stem is in the center of the tube, and not off to the side to align with the hole. What a pain in the butt!

You are a genius, you make it look, so simple and very informative about the subject. I am going to try my luck at putting tube in all my mower tires they are all leaking. I have hedge apple trees all around the parrifuble of my property and there is small pieces of them all through my yard. Thank you for the info you are very helpful.

The vice grip tip made all the difference. Many thanks from the UK.

Nicely done sir, you’ve just made a horrible job easier for me. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Great job! As A youngster (dad passed away, no brothers) I learned to patch/repair my bike tire tubes. The inside always had a strip of rubber that protected the tube from the spoke keepers/caps. After filing the obvious sharp welds on that rim I would think, as a added safety measure, a few wraps of electrical vinyl tape in the center welded area (not the rim area) would help. The tube, when inflated, would keep it in place.

Helpful video!! Thanks!! My front was already off so just slid tube in after I cut valve stem,didn't have to pry it back over rim thank God!! But if I ever do, this video is saved!!! Thanks a lot!!!

Thank you...installed tubes in both rear tires and it went PERFECT !!!!

Thank you very much. I was getting nowhere fast until I watched your video. 15 mins later tge tyre and inner tube were sorted and my ride on lawn mower was operational. The tip re. using the large mole grips did the trick. Thanks again from England 👏👏👏

Thanks .. a great video that helped a lot. For those struggling with the plastic grease cap on Huskys, I used a heat gun. It made it very easy to take off and put back on. The plastic becomes very soft, but hot. I used riggers gloves. For those who are not as athletic, I found that standard wood clamps ( the pistol grip type) and a piece of angle iron broke the seal very easily. I used a washer and the plastic cap to stop the tube stem from disappearing back into the hub. HTH Cheers

Really appreciate the video. I had a mishap with the vise grips on the stem …. ( had to get a new tube.) 🤣🤣 The second tube went awesome!!I know this has been up for yrs , but just goes to show that it’s the gift that keeps on giving!!

Best tube installation video. I really appreciate it man. Saved me tons of trouble.

The best lawn mower tire tube installation video on youtube! Thank you so much!

Very good video! Thank you so much for having the camera on a tripod, unlike some others I watched the whole thing without getting sick.

Just did mine, worked pretty good except I forgot to remove the leftover rubber stem that fell through but so far so good, Thanks good video.

This video along with the comments to it, make it a lot easier to do a tough job! Thanks for your time.

Thank you, watching you sweat it out almost made me not try but I had done one before and really needed this mower working today!

Very good comprehensive video. Especially holding the valve stem in the wheel before starting to inflate the tube. I leanred the hard way that without holding the valve stem , it will pop back into the rim. Thanks for sharing.

Good Video. The use of the vice grips is great!! Only takes minutes to get the tire back on. When adding air, if the valve stem wants to go back into the tire, release some air, gently pull stem back into position and add air. GREAT JOB!!!

Two comments for you. Deflate the tube as much as possible. Reinsert the shrader valve with tube collapsed. Next get some baby power / talc and liberally put as much as possible in the tire and wheel so that everything becomes bone dry. Then sprinkle a lot on the tube. Then it will go much easier and when you add air, the tube will 'unwind' itself inside the tire/wheel. This is a standard method on general aviation aircraft tires. There really is no other approved way. The remaining talc powder will continue to absorb moisture. Surefire way to get longevity out of the tire and the tube.

Excellent advice on replacing the tires. Thanks

Thanks for the know how. Changed mine today...took a little bit of swearing but got 'er done! Thanks!

this is the best vlog i have seen has far as smallish tyres go.. its given me the will to have another go at my small wheels on which i failed to to release the beads of either one of a set of four tyres. so this will be tomorrows project. So thankyou for this quick straight to the point show and tell.

Way i do things since i dont have a tire changer either i mount a round bar in my vice and put rim on that. Then let air out by cutting stem or i remove core out stem. Use 2 long handle flat screwdrivers and i pry around edge til it breaks bead. Then flip her over and poke that side til she gets off. Then i use screwdriver to pull tire off rim

That was great. Didn't know about the vice grip on rim trick. Also, spraying the lubricant around the edge for easier seating upon inflation is something I should do. One thing I do after adding just a little air: spin the tire to make sure the stem is straight up through the hole.

12:20 FYI , that blue line on tube always faces away from the valve hole. That’s why it’s there.

Been a long time since I've done anything like this , good refresher video !

Excellent video, thank you. Vise grip on the rim was a pro tip and helped me a lot. Thanks again.

I have learned more from youtube videos that I did in high school. Thanks!!

Thanks for telling us to file rims I wouldn't thought of that, I watch another one he didn't mention it.

Thank you for this video. I just applied your instructions for 2 tires and it worked great.

Thank you, this was great. I would have never have thought of checking the rim for burrs!

Vice grips on the rim was a great tip. Thank you.

You just saved me a big headache. Thanks for this. Worked like a charm!

Great video!! Liked that you said to check rim for burs & etc.

Dude the vise grips was my saving grace, never did little tire before, much harder than a car tire.

Don't use a valve stem tool don't use vise grips use a zip tie works perfect and that also just keeps the valve stem from ever going back inside so you can always just leave it afterward

The vise grip idea saved me! Thank you very much!

Thanks for the video and great comments also . Never thought about filing down the burrs .

Great job! I'm about to do the same for my utility trailer and your tips were invaluable! thank you.

Put a zip tie [cable tie] around the valve stem to stop it dropping back inside.Like the idea of the vice grips and willhave a go tomorrow ,had enough of the fucking thing today.You make it look easier than what it is ,thanks for the video.

Great video! Could not have been done better! Thank you very much!

Great video, very detailed and informative....now this is one of my most hated tasks....thanks....:)

I spiral wrap Electrical Tape around the stem, leaning it about 3 inches long. Poke it through the hole and tape it to the outside of the rim. I have 3 Tractors, one is a Rat Rod, one is stock with a mower deck and one I am doing up for Drag Racing around town.

thank you. you are knowledgeable and you explained the all thing so clear it was easy to understand.

Good job, I had a tube put in the rear tire of my mower the other day, local shop cost $12, I guess as I approach 70 I am just not as tough as I used to be,

Thanks, liked the vice-grip suggestion

Excellent video man! I was looking for a way to put tube in front tire of my tractor.

Thank You, Good Video and I just need to get much younger and gain more poundage and most of all, get stronger! I have to fix two front tires, Please Wish me luck, newer use the construction expansion foam. I like the filing of the rim and green slime statement.

Thank you I did everything but the Vise grip. Your post was a HUGE help thanks again

GOOD TRICK WITH THE VISE GRIPS... MY MOWER IS A GOOD 30 YEARS OLD .. DAMN RIMS WERE FROZEN ON..BUT IT WORKT..OUT..THX! GOOD FILM!

Thank you so very much for all the details, it helped me alot. I was able to change the tube in my riding lawnmower rear tires. 🤩

I applied these techniques and i got both my tires on...it was a struggle but this is the video to follow.

Thanks man you saved me a lot of money.

I watched about 3 U Tube videos & yur vidio worked the best for me !!😅

Never use screwdrivers to pry off or put on tires. This is especially true with tubes. Always use tire spoons.

That's a really well done video, great work mate and thanks

Just got mine done, thank you!

Well presented and informative.

Excellent Video. Thank You!

Thank you. Excellent job on this video.

Great Tips. You will make my project much easier. Thank you so much.

Instead of vise grips use a washer and the valve stem cap to keep the stem from falling back in.

good but better use a rag to find a snag not your hand, you might find a rattle snake fang or sharp poisonous thorn

This can also be done with the wheel and tire still on the tractor and only having to break the outside bead. Bit of a nack to it , but works if your wheels are rusted to the axle's.

Best showing after watching a few of these. Thanks

Super helpful and east to follow, thanks man!

thanks brother from SW Tennessee 🇺🇸👊🏾

thanks a lot , it did help me to install my inner tube: Good video.

I do not recommend using screwdrivers or pry bars for getting the tire over the bead of the rim on reinstallation, if you don't want a punctured inner tube. Start with a pair of vice grips clamped onto the rim bead at one location, working your away slowly and easily, making sure not to pinch the inner tube at any point. Clamp more pairs of vice grips in place at 90° intervals around the rim until you are completely finished. Axle grease or petroleum jelly around the rim bead and tire edge are your friends.

Everyone - careful with the screwdrivers, they will cause the tube to be pinched in the tire rim, resulting in a pinch cut, ruining the tube and your efforts. Just my $.02 cents.

The green slime works great! I recommend it.

Will soap water remove tire from rim if it's been glued on?

did this job today, wasn't bad at all. found the 18'' tubes at Harbor Freight for 10 bucks

Hi, Just wondering if your tube lasted long enough, as it seems the stem hole is way offset when compared to the position of the valve on the new tube. Meaning the valve stem is getting pulled a lot, or the tube must be sitting in one side of the tyre, not in the centre?? I have the same issue and I was thinking if I should drill a new hole to allow the tube site in centre as intended. thought it wont last long otherwise? Cheers imi

Will attempt soon...nice vid

lube the tire bead before you take it off how many have you done?

Awesome video!! Helped immensely!!

Great details, much appreciated. No here I go, wish me luck.

BEST VIDEO AFTER WATCHING MANY VIDS. Awesome Kudos for you my friend.

Lots of good pointers here.

Just did this last night you made it look easy

Just put a washer over the value and stick the cap back on.

Can you pre-inflate the tubes to check if they have any pinholes. I've seen a lot of reviews for tubes but online and people complain about leaking right away. I just didn't know if you can get enough of the air out of the tube after a test.

About to tube 2 rear tires on my John Deere.... thanks for the video; that helped a lot! Question- what’s that freaky flashlight????

I use a simple hex nut with course threads to hold the stem in place. The right size nut only needs to be lightly threaded down the stem to hold the tube securely. And yes, they do kick my ass usually. I weigh about 90 pounds less than you.

good job.... looks like a good days work with both done. thanks my man.

Thanks for posting this video. Lots of good common sense information.

Looks like a lot of fun!