Need advice on mounting lawn tractor tire

[sofasurfer]

I managed to mount a 15" tire a while back but it about killed me. Mow I have a new tire 15x6 that I need to mount. I got one side on the tire on the rim but side #2 won't go. Is there a secret formula or will I need to take it to a tire shop? I have a set of irons for the job but I'm at my wits end. Suggestions please.

 

[JeepYJ]

You need tire lube. Dish soap works in a pinch. Go to harbor freight and get their small tire changer. That will help a lot.

 

[jsaw]

Lube the bead, and keep the opposite side of the bead in the depressed center of the wheel so that the side You are working on has more clearance to slide over the wheel.

 

[cowades206]

Another set of hands nearby? last time I did this I was really struggling chasing the bead around the rim. Then I had someone hold one of the tire levers to keep the bead in place while I worked the other and it went right on. Amazing how the smaller the tire the harder the job is. It was too small for my bead keeper to fit.

 

[Spareparts]

Put a pair of Vice Grips on the bead to keep it from rolling off then take little bites to work it on, the bead on the rim, not the tire bead.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Set it out in the sun, the heat can help. Make sure both beads are in the drop center of the rim (if not the centered drop center of the wheel isn't centered install the side of the tire furthest away from it first). Use plenty of lube.

 

[sofasurfer]

I bolted it to a 2x8. Setting it in the grass made it good and stable (as apposed to putting it on my tailgate) so it would not move as I worked on it. Used two vice grip clamps and worked around the bead about an inch at a time. Took less than ten minutes, probably closer to five. Thanks for the adice.