Lawn sweeper tire

[Throbbin Rods]

Last week I was sweeping the lawn and caught a fence post with the tire of my sweeper. Tire came off. I was able it put it back on part way, but it doesn't seem to want to go the rest of the way. Every time I either whack it with the rubber hammer or try to manhandle it into place it pops off all the way. I would appreciate any input or suggestions on getting the thing back together. This is as far as it will go on, then it hangs up and kicks off to one side, comes off the rim completely.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Put it in hot water, maybe boiling and it will soften and expand to allow you to install it.

Never used it on one that large, but it works for toy tractors.

 

[Bessy]

I second the boiling water trick... I have done it on mowers before with some success.

 

[gungatim]

boiling is how the guys that restore little red wagons get the tires back on after restoring the rims. it looks like a HUGE tire in the pic, may need to use a wash tub over a turkey fryer...or it's an opticalusion

 

[toolmiser]

A little dish washing soap in the boiling water will also help.

 

[Throbbin Rods]

I tried the boiling water, still didn't want to go on, so I stuck it back in the hot water to stay hot and wiped some WD-40 around the surface that was stopping it from going on. Took the tire back out of the hot water and whacked it about 8 times with the rubber hammer and it slipped back in place. Used it yesterday to sweep the lawn after mowing and it worked fine.
Thanks for the hot water suggestions!