How to Remove a Stuck Lawn Mower Wheel

Everyone who has a big house with a green lawn on his backyard knows the importance of a mower. It is not just a daily or a weekly routine to cut and mow grass, but a must as well to keep your garden clean and beautiful. It is not surprising to have the wheel of your mower stuck considering how often you use it, as well as the fact that the wheel might get rusty or broken.

There are multiple ways how you can change your stuck lawn mower wheel as it depends on the level of how bad the damage is. One way is to use a simple wrench and hammer to twist the screws and then just remove the wheels for the axe. Additionally, in a more difficult situation you might have to use a propane torch, as well.

Knowing that you might have to use fire as an aiding tool should not make you worry if you take the exact precautions. We will inform you how to do so in the upcoming paragraphs. So, let’s find out on how to pull off a stuck lawn mower wheel.

The Procedure on How to Remove a Stuck Lawn Mower Wheel

1. Prepare the Place and Secure the Necessary Tools

Before getting into the topic on how the stuck wheel of a lawn mower is removed, there are certain steps you need to follow meticulously. First secure the mower in a position so that it will not move while you remove the stuck wheel. Then put some pieces of woods or bricks under the mower, in order that the wheel you want to remove is a bit leveled. This action will make it easy for you to work whether it is the front part of the wheel or the under the mower where the wheel meets the axe.

Secondly, if needed you will have to use propane torch. Hence, care must be taken to save yourself from unpleasant incidents, at the same time not damaging the wheel or the body of the mower. So, we recommend you to have a fire distinguisher while you do this process. In case you do not have one, keep a bucket full of water or sand in case of emergency. Additionally, do not forget to wear protective goggles as well as wearing a mask to shield your nose and airways while you use the penetrating oil.

2. Removing the Stuck Lawn Mower Wheel

Now that we have taken all the necessary steps, we are ready to remove the stuck wheel from the lawn mower. Depending on how rusty the wheel has gotten it would be appropriate to spray the front and the back part of the disk of the wheel with penetrating oil. My advise would be to do this action one or two weeks before you remove the stuck wheel.

Then, it would be prudent to release the air pressure nut, so that the friction between the wheel and the rim is not that strong. Following this, we can use a hammer to tap the back part of the wheel to understand whether the wheel can stir a little, thus making it easy for us to remove it. If it is too narrow in the back part of the wheel for you to use a hammer, take a crowbar and place it under the wheel hub.

Then, hit it with the hammer to apply the needed pressure on the wheel. If you notice that the wheel does not shake even a little bit then the use of a propane torch becomes essential. Now, put on the gloves and the protective goggles to start heating the disk.

3. Using the Propane Torch and Applying the Penetrating Oil

As mentioned in the introduction, when using flames keeping a fire distinguisher or a bucket of water nearby is more than recommended to avoid any unwanted incidents. Next, light your propane torch and start heating up the axe for several minutes till you notice that the iron shaft starts to glow red. Apply the same method on the back part of the wheel till you reach the same result.

After that, you can take away the propane torch and put it aside, since you might need to heat up the axe again. Now grab the penetrating oil and start spraying all over the parts of the axe where you just used the propane torch. We remind you that a nose mask should be worn to prevent the smoke entering into your lungs.

Following this, take the hammer and hit the wheel on the back part to see whether it moves. In case the wheel will not move yet do not worry, as all you have to do is repeat the action with the propane torch and penetrating oil a couple of times till you reach the moment where you see that the wheel dislodge.

Also Read: Best Lawn Mower Batteries in 2020 – Comprehensive Buying Guide

Conclusion

To sum up, removing a stuck wheel from your lawn mower is not that difficult if you follow the instruction that we have provided for you already. In light of what we have discussed, if your wheel is not that much rusty, a hammer and a crowbar will be more than sufficient to remove the stuck wheel. Otherwise, the best way to perform this action is by using the propane torch and penetrating oil.

The fact that you have to use fire should not bother you as it is not difficult if you do it properly and take all the necessary measures to avoid any unpleasant eventualities. We recommend again that wearing safety goggles and nose protection is more than necessary while doing the above process.

Finally, let me inform you that this procedure will not damage neither the wheel nor the axe. All you have to do is oil the shaft properly and perhaps using a power drill with a wire brush to clean off the rust from the shaft. In the end, oil it a bit so that the shaft is smooth again. Then, reinstall the wheel into your lawn mower.