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The front tire on my zero turn mower is toast - side wall is ripped. It is 11" x 4.00 - 5". I have changed dozens of bike tires, but never on a lawn tractor. My friendly local garage will change it for about $20, but adding in the cost of tire and tube, I might as well buy a whole new wheel assembly. Is it as easy as a bike tire?

That size and type of tire is high on my list of difficult ones to replace. Because of the stiff side walls and small size means you will be fighting, cussing and end up going to the shop in the end. Decision is up to you.

If you don't have the tools you will a lot of bad words to get it done.

As said tires om 5 inch rim are a pain to dismount and remount. When ZTR tires the only one that is worst is the 4 inch rims. I do both but is a real pain to them. Most shops will install TR87 inner stems too but I install the the TR13 stems here as the TR87 are a pain to get air into as the stems lay against the rims.

Btw the mini tire changer that HFT has simply doesn't work on these either other than breaking the beads.

StarTech said:

As said tires om 5 inch rim are a pain to dismount and remount. When ZTR tires the only one that is worst is the 4 inch rims. I do both but is a real pain to them. Most shops will install TR87 inner stems too but I install the the TR13 stems here as the TR87 are a pain to get air into as the stems lay against the rims.

Btw the mini tire changer that HFT has simply doesn't work on these either other than breaking the beads.

Click to expand...

Those 4 and 5" rim tires are a pain no matter what you do with them. Just hard to work with, and the valve stems are hard to access no matter what style is installed. the curved stems butt up against the rim, and the straight stems wedge against the center axle tube

fritz1255 said:

The front tire on my zero turn mower is toast - side wall is ripped. It is 11" x 4.00 - 5". I have changed dozens of bike tires, but never on a lawn tractor. My friendly local garage will change it for about $20, but adding in the cost of tire and tube, I might as well buy a whole new wheel assembly. Is it as easy as a bike tire?

Click to expand...

Just so you know in case you call a shop about it....that is called a 5" tire because it goes on a 5" wheel....it's not called a 11" tire.
Spend the cost it takes to have a shop do it....you'll be a lot happier in the end!

StarTech said:

As said tires om 5 inch rim are a pain to dismount and remount. When ZTR tires the only one that is worst is the 4 inch rims. I do both but is a real pain to them. Most shops will install TR87 inner stems too but I install the the TR13 stems here as the TR87 are a pain to get air into as the stems lay against the rims.

Btw the mini tire changer that HFT has simply doesn't work on these either other than breaking the beads.

Click to expand...

I have the HFT small tire changer and use it all the time to change 4 and 5 inch tires. The bucket of tire soap and air blast bead seater makes all the difference.

Hammermechanicman said:

I have the HFT small tire changer and use it all the time to change 4 and 5 inch tires. The bucket of tire soap and air blast bead seater makes all the different

Click to expand...

Then maybe I got a different version as even using oil I can only get halfway around before I can no longer pull the mounting tool. I have to resort to flat blade screwdrivers. Now brand new are a little easier to mount but even on most I have to use the screwdrivers.

I know use enough pull as I have bent the center post of the changer.

Okay thanks folks, you definitely talked me out of it. I am going to try a " no flat" tire and wheel combo. It's $40 from eBay.

StarTech said:

Then maybe I got a different version as even using oil I can only get halfway around before I can no longer pull the mounting tool. I have to resort to flat blade screwdrivers. Now brand new are a little easier to mount but even on most I have to use the screwdrivers.

I know use enough pull as I have bent the center post of the changer.

Click to expand...

ILENGINE said:

Those 4 and 5" rim tires are a pain no matter what you do with them. Just hard to work with, and the valve stems are hard to access no matter what style is installed. the curved stems butt up against the rim, and the straight stems wedge against the center axle tube

Click to expand...

I use the shorty TR412 valve stems. Only about a inch long. Seem to work pretty good.

StarTech said:

Then maybe I got a different version as even using oil I can only get halfway around before I can no longer pull the mounting tool. I have to resort to flat blade screwdrivers. Now brand new are a little easier to mount but even on most I have to use the screwdrivers.

I know use enough pull as I have bent the center post of the changer.

Click to expand...

I lube up the beads with a tire soap that reminds me of vaseline. Reduces the effort to mount probably by half
The hard part is making sure after i start the bead to keep it toward the middle of the rim to have enough give to be able to use the tool to pop the bead over.

Just be aware some run flat tires are foam filled and are hard. They make your tractor or Z ride like a tank.

I've seen people using locking pliers to keep the tires flat. As in the beads pinched together. It seems to work really well. I technique for motorcycle tires is to flatten them and use strong zip ties all around the tire to keep the beads together. Then its easier to keep the bead in the center of the rim to give you more room to get the tire over the other side of the rim. Afterwards cut the zipties off. I have this tool for mounting motorcycle tires. there is a minibike option but I haven't gotten that. It wouldn'twork for bolt on wheels but would for the ones with the bearing and hubs in the wheel. The key to changing tires is the proper tools and experience. If you don't want to get both of those hire it done.

I have a big 6" vise in which I put a 3/4" long pin standing vertically. After beads are broken I slip the wheel over the pin and use Vise~Grips to keep the bead from following the tool. This has worked for small tires I have encountered. Use liquid soap for bead lube.

fritz1255 said:

Okay thanks folks, you definitely talked me out of it. I am going to try a " no flat" tire and wheel combo. It's $40 from eBay.

Click to expand...

I think you'll happier with that combo.
Just beware that some of bearings they use aren't worth much.
I had some cheapy ones similar from NH and bearings failed in one summer.

fritz1255 said:

The front tire on my zero turn mower is toast - side wall is ripped. It is 11" x 4.00 - 5". I have changed dozens of bike tires, but never on a lawn tractor. My friendly local garage will change it for about $20, but adding in the cost of tire and tube, I might as well buy a whole new wheel assembly. Is it as easy as a bike tire?

Click to expand...

I have the exact same size on my ZTR. Years ago I went with inner tubes in them, but earlier this year bought new rubber for tubeless again.
It's more difficult than a bicycle tire, because the beads need seating onto the rim and that takes an air tank-compressor that can deliver some volume.

After the new tire is on the rim, remove the valve stem, and use a rope or tie down strap around the tire circumference to compress the tire, getting the bead against the rim. Use the compressor to inflate the tire, and the beads will seat.

It takes some doing though, and maybe a helper too. Once seated, screw the stem back in, and inflate to pressure.

I've also changed out the rear tires the same way.

I think I ordered both front and rear rubber off Walmart online. They are sold in pairs.

Good luck!

Just changed out 2 on my Z it was easy for a 72 year old man but I got it done