Need some idea on changing the caster wheel tires on my John Deere F52
Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee Pics |
2005-05-07 110812
The front mower castor wheels tires are about shot on my F525 and I am going to install new tires. They are mounted on 4 inch steel one piece wheels. The tire casing is EXTREMELY stiff and thick. The job looks like it is going to be a SOB to get done. I called the local tire shop and they refused to work on them stating that they are hateful and near impossible to change. Has anyone here done this before? I would appreciate any suggestions or techniques to change these tires. I included a diagram of the tire to give you a good idea as to what I am dealing with.
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Need some idea on changing the caster wheel tires on my John Deere F52
Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee Pics |
2005-05-07 110813
The wheel and tire assembly, item 51 is $64 each so I may consider this route worst case. I already have the tires and would like to mount them if possible.
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Need some idea on changing the caster wheel tires on my John Deere F52
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon Pics |
2005-05-07 110814
I'd try cutting the old one off with a sawzall or hacksaw. If there's much of a bead you may need a bolt cutter to cut through it. Then heat the new tires up in an oven to maybe 150 degrees. When they're nice and pliable, lube up the bead with some dish soap and try to work 'em on. I haven't ever tried this so don't take it as gospel. ....
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Need some idea on changing the caster wheel tires on my John Deere F52
harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY Pics |
2005-05-08 110825
Randy those are a drop center rim? Should not be a big deal. Start with the valve stem up and start at valve stem with the bead pushed down into the drop center.
I change the little 4" tires on my land pride all the time. To cheap to buy the good tires and I run them on the soft side.
I can change 1 in about 15 minutes with a new tube.
Good Luck Harvey ....
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Need some idea on changing the caster wheel tires on my John Deere F52
Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee Pics |
2005-05-08 110831
Not sure I am exactly following you Harvey. Can you be a bit more detailed? The replacement tires are REALLY rigid and stiff carcass tires. ....
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Need some idea on changing the caster wheel tires on my John Deere F52
harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY Pics |
2005-05-08 110835
Push the bead down so that it will pull into the drop center and use a blunt Tire tool (old flat rounded screw driver) and pry oppsite the pushed down bead. It may take a couple of those thin tire tools.
The worst tires I've ever done woas those really stiff tubless ones Couldn't get the bead to set had to go back and get tubes. Usually there is not a tire combo I can not lick but that one.
Wish you were closer I'd make a afternoon of it and visit...
Harvey ....
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Need some idea on changing the caster wheel tires on my John Deere F52
oneace
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1490 south central pa Pics |
2005-05-08 110842
Are they the solid airless type tire?
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Need some idea on changing the caster wheel tires on my John Deere F52
Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee Pics |
2005-05-08 110844
No, they are tubeless pneumatic tires. Stiff and rigid and dried elephant skins. ....
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Need some idea on changing the caster wheel tires on my John Deere F52
Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada Pics |
2005-05-09 110864
Randy, two ideas that might make the job a little simpler;
First, try the easy approach, those rims are often a little sneaky, the outer diameter of one side is often a little smaller than the other, this is to ease changing tires. Use a caliper and check, or you will hate yourself afterwards, LOL.
If the above idea falls through we have developed another way around it. Using a vice or large 'C' type vise grips pinch as much of the old tire as possible and then use a sawz-all to carefully cut out the piece stuck in the vice. Now use a big pair of bolt cutters to snip the beads and the wires they contain. Be careful during all of this not to scratch the rim, if you do you will find you have slow leak for ever in that tire.
Although I've never tried it personally, I have an employee who claims the easiest way to cut off an old tire is to use two lengths on wire rope and a come-along. He puts the first piece of wire rope through the hub and joins it into a large circle, which he slips over his trailer hitch. He then puts the second piece of wire rope around the tire itself by passing between the tire bead and rim, and back out the other side and again joing it in a circle. He then uses the come-along to pull against something else, like a tractor, stretching the tire out as far away from the rim as it will go. He then just starts cutting the tire with a sawz-all starting from the bead and working outwards towards the tread. As it slacks off he just gives the come-along a few more cranks. Just be carefull not to pull so hard as to bend the rim.
Best of luck. ....
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