There are several types of lawn mowers:
Push mowers (manual or gas/electric powered)
Most people are familiar with push mowers as they are the most economical to own. Although you aren’t riding on the mower itself, finding tires that offer good traction and cushioning will make maneuvering and handling easier. You will typically see pneumatic (requires proper air pressure) or solid rubber tires (low maintenance but limited traction and cushion) on this type.
Riding mowers (tractor)
These require deeper tread so they can handle heavy loads, remain stable, and maintain traction on uneven surfaces. Typically, you will see pneumatic tires with either bias or radial ply construction. Bias tires offer better durability and traction. Radial tires deliver a smoother, better handling experience.
Zero-turn riding mowers
Zero-turn riding mowers have specific tire requirements as they must allow for tight turns and easy maneuvering. Tires adapted to this mower type use unique tread patterns for high-speed traction and precision. You will typically see turf-specific tires for this mower type.
What Lawn Mower Tires Do I Need?
The lawn mower tires you need depend on several factors:
- Type of mower/size
- Terrain/tread type
- Ply rating
- Budget
Not all lawn mower tires are created equal. The tire you choose should depend on your mower type and size, terrain type, tire toughness, and budget.
Mower Tire size
Mower tires come in either a two-number or three-number system.
In two-number sizing, the first number is the width (inches) and the second is the rim diameter (inches).
In three-number sizing, the first number is tire diameter (inches, inflated but not under load), the second is tire width (inches), and the third number is the rim’s diameter (inches).
Ply-rating
Mower tires come in two types of ply ratings.
Standard options are A/2-ply and work for most customers. They work well on smooth, level surfaces.
You can also opt for B/4-ply, which is suited for difficult terrain or heavy-duty projects.
Terrain & Tread type
The type of terrain you’ll be working with determines which tread type works best. Turf tread options are the standard as they don’t dig in and damage grass and terrain while still offering good traction.
Knobby all-terrain tires have large tread blocks, deep grooves, and sometimes a herringbone tread pattern to tackle challenging terrain like sand, mud, dirt, and rock. It can also tow heavier loads.
Straight rib is built for durable and long tread life with minimal turf damage, and is great for wet conditions.
Smooth tread has no pattern grooves and is typically used with zero-turn mowers. It offers minimal traction but can handle tight corners and is frequently used for golf and ground maintenance mowers.
Lawn Mower Tractor Tires
Tractor-style lawn mowers are heavy, large mowers designed for large, heavy-duty jobs and often come with a rear hitch for additional attachments. They are a multi-utility machine. Sometimes lawn tractors and riding mowers are used interchangeably.
Like riding mowers, they operate with a driver, making choosing safe and appropriate tires even more of a priority. Whether you have a fleet of mowers or one for your own personal yard, we can equip you with the best options at the best prices possible.
The correct tractor and riding lawn mower tires can increase efficiency, safety, and performance.
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