Abstract: A device and method for mounting a tire (20) on a wheel (22) wherein the wheel is secured to a mounting table (48) and the tire is secured between the fingers (62) of a pivot arm (54). The pivot arm swings the tire into a position over the wheel wherein a sector of the tire beads (30 and 32) are laterally opposite the radial perimeter surface (38) of the wheel. The pivot arm is then advanced toward the mounting table so that the sector of the tire beads (30 and 32) contacts the radial perimeter surface (38) that is defined between the flanges (42 and 44) of the wheel (22). A button arm (66) advances toward the wheel (22) in an axial direction to cause a second sector of the tire beads (30 and 32) to pass over one of the wheel flanges (42 or 44) and position the tire beads within the second sector within a well (40) that is defined between the flanges (42 and 44) of the tire (22). The pivot arm then releases the tire and the button arm retracts from the tire.