Lawn and Garden Tire Information

Spring is here, which means it's time to bring out the lawn tractor and get the yard ready for warmer weather. Don’t let a worn-out or deflated tire get in the way of your spring cleaning. If you need new rubber for your lawn tractor, make sure you are choosing the correct one for your needs. This article is here to help lead you in the right direction. 

Tire Sizes and Wheel Compatibility

The easiest way to find the right tire for your lawn tractor is to identify the tire size. Using your old tire as a reference, look for a set of numbers on the sidewall, such as 18.5x8.50-8 or 4.80/4.00-8. These digits denote the dimensions of the tires.

For larger lawn and garden tires, like an 18.5x8.50-8 size tire, the overall diameter is 18.5”, the tire width is 8.50”, and the wheel diameter is 8”.

For smaller lawn and garden tires, like a 4.80/4.00-8, the width of the tire is 4.80”, the sidewall height is 4.00”, and the wheel diameter is 8”.

Understanding these dimensions is crucial in selecting the correct size replacement tire. These measurements can also be used to find a replacement wheel. We created a chart with common lawn and garden tire sizes and their compatible wheel sizes.

Lawn and Garden Tire Styles

Lawn and garden tires come in a variety of different tread patterns, each serving a different purpose. The three most common styles are smooth, turf, and knobby. The best choice for you will depend on your use case.

Smooth tires are commonly used on the front wheels of zero-turn lawnmowers. These tires allow for easy maneuverability with minimal disturbance to the surface of the lawn. An alternative option for a smooth tire is a ribbed tread style, which uses lateral sipes to provide extra grip on slippery surfaces.

Turf-style tread patterns provide sufficient traction on grass, gravel, and dirt while keeping damage to the lawn at a minimum. This style of tire is the most common on lawn tractors, as they provide a great balance of grip and lawn protection. 

Knobby-style tread designs are best for gravel, dirt, and other loose surfaces. When traction is limited, a knobby tread will keep your lawn tractor moving. This style of tread is best suited for situations where grip is more important than protecting the lawn surface.  

RecStuff.com offers a variety of popular styles and common sizes of lawn and garden tires. Click here to see our entire selection:

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When to Replace Your Tires

Are the tires on your lawn tractor bald or flat? Then it may be time to replace them. Low tire tread is easy to identify, and if not replaced, could lead to a dangerous accident when trying to traverse over slippery or uneven surfaces. Keep in mind that most zero-turn lawnmowers use smooth or ribbed-style treads for maneuverability and do not require deep treads.

Loss of air pressure can come from a variety of different reasons. Cracked/dry-rotted rubber, punctures or abrasions, leaking valve stems, and leaking wheel beads are all factors that may require tire repair or replacement. Any easy way to track down the source of a leak is to spray the tire and wheel with soapy water while it is fully inflated. The affected area will have excessive bubbling as the air is trying to escape. Small punctures on the tread surface can be repaired with patch kits or tire sealant, but dry-rotting and sidewall damage will require a full tire replacement.

Aside from tire size, two important factors to consider when replacing your lawn tractor tires are load capacity and whether or not they require an inner tube. Load capacities will be designated with a load rating on the sidewall. It is critical to ensure the replacement tire is capable of withstanding the weight of the equipment and the operator. The tire type will be located on the sidewall, as well. Typically, this will be placed near the tire’s load capacity. Tube-type tires can only be mounted and used with an inner tube installed. While not necessary, a tubeless tire can still be mounted and used with an inner tube. 

How to Remove and Install Lawn and Garden Tires

Lawn and garden tires can be installed with a set of basic hand tools. We recommend using two (2x) large flathead screwdrivers or tire irons, a large c-clamp, and a bottle of tire lubricant or soapy water. 

1. Once the lawn tractor is parked on a flat surface with the parking brake engaged and wheel chocks in place, lift the tractor with a jack and rest it on a set of jack stands. When the tractor is securely lifted off the ground, you can remove the lug nuts or center nut, depending on the style of the hub.

2. With the wheel removed, make sure the tire is fully deflated before starting to remove it from the wheel. Once fully deflated, take a set of flathead screwdrivers or tire irons and insert them between the bead of the tire and the lip of the rim. Apply even pressure downward into the center of the wheel. If the bead of the tire is not coming loose, a large c-clamp may be used to press each side of the tire bead.

3. With the bead of the tire loose, use the tire irons to pry the tire off the wheel one side at a time. Insert the tool between the lip of the wheel and under the bead of the tire. Once secure, pry the bead of the tire over the wheel lip. Continue to do this while making your way around the circumference of the wheel until the tire is removed. Repeat this process with the other side of the tire until it is fully removed. TIP: With the tire is fully separated from the wheel, now is a good time to clean the mating surface of the wheel for corrosion or debris. Clean this area to ensure a proper seal with the new tire. 

4. Begin installing the new tire by inserting the wheel into the tire at an angle. This will allow you to easily insert the two tire irons between the wheel and the tire bead and pull it up and over the bottom of the wheel. TIP: Applying tire lubricant or soapy water to the bead of the tire will allow for easier installation and reduce the risk of bead damage.

5. With the bottom half installed, insert the two tire irons between the tire bead and the lip of the wheel. While applying even pressure, keep one of the tire irons in place and slowly pry the tire bead under the lip of the circumference of the wheel. 

6. With the tire fully mounted, use an air compressor to inflate the tire and seat the bead. Seating the bead of the tire will cause the tire to pop into place. Ensure that the tire is inflated to the recommended pressure as designated by the tire sidewall.

7. Reinstall the wheel to the hub of the lawn tractor and torque the lug nuts or center nut to the manufacturer's recommended specification. 

RecStuff.com carries a selection of lawn and garden tires, wheels, and ready-to-install assemblies. Click here to check out our full selection:

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