Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): rear wheel on MTD lawnmower, air hammer, logging trucks

Question
my neighbor recently gave me his old lawnmower.  i have been trying to remove the rear wheels for 2 weeks.  i take out the axle bolt and it wont budge.  Is there some trick to this?  i have used our 15 lb axle puller that we use on our logging trucks, but it still wont move.  would it just be easier to just put a new tire on the wheel?


Answer
Hi Rick,

Sorry for my delay.  It was a busy holiday here.

The hub may be rusted on the axle.  You could try penetrating fluid and vibration from a blunt tipped air hammer or chisel.  If you only need to replace the tire, doing that inplace may be the easiest way out.
 
I am swamped with questions and can't give follow up answers until next week.  Sorry.

Good Luck,
Michael