How to Determine a Lawn Mower's Tire Tube Size
Your lawnmower tires put on a lot of mileage over time. Glass, sharp sticks, nails and other hazards also take their toll on lawn mower tires. Weather changes also take their toll. So while many mowers have tubeless tires -- tires that use a one-piece rim that doesn't leak air, eliminating the need for a tube -- the loss of air pressure over the winter months can cause the tire to lose its seal around the rim, resulting in a flat tire. Adding a tube to the tire helps prevent air loss, as long as you use the proper size. And if you just need to change the tube, choosing the right size isn't complicated.
Look at the side of a tire, near the rim. Find the numbers written on the side. Wash the tire with a mixture of soap and water, scrubbing away dirt with a soft-bristled brush, if necessary, to reveal the numbers.
Write the numbers you see on a piece of paper. There will be three sets of numbers, with the first two sets separated by either an "x" or a "/." If the numbers are separated by an "x," the numbers represent the tire's outer diameter, followed by the tire height -- the thickness of the tire between the top of the rim to the top of the tire -- and the tire diameter. If a "/" is used, the numbers correspond to the tire height, the tire diameter and the rim size. The tire size dictates the tube size, ultimately.
Examine the valve stem protruding from the tire. There are two styles: the TR-13, which features a straight valve, and the TR-87, which is bent at a 90-degree angle. A substyle of the TR-87, the TR-87P, is also bent at a 90-degree angle. However, it runs parallel to the rim and is metal, while the TR-87 is rubber. If you are adding a tube to a tubeless tire, the valve stem style is irrelevant.
Visit a store that sells tubes for lawn mower tires. Provide the sales clerk with the tire information you gathered. The clerk can easily look up the appropriate tube. You can also find information about these tubes online.
Tip
When dealing with lawn tractor tire tubes, several tractors, even from different manufacturers, may use the same tube.
The part number identifying the tube may vary among manufacturers, so looking up the tube where you intend to buy it is recommended.
Warning
Avoid using incorrectly sized tubes. Poorly sized tires may not inflate fully if too large, they may tear a valve stem if too small, or they may cause premature tire failure.
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Writer Bio
Karie Fay earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in law from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. After growing up in construction and with more than 30 years in the field, she believes a girl can swing a hammer with the best of them. She enjoys "green" or innovative solutions and unusual construction.
