Garden Tractor Tire Size Explanation

Two-Number System

• Many lawn and garden tractor tires are sized with a two-number sizing designation. The first number in this type of sizing refers to the tire width, while the second number indicates the rim diameter of the tire. These sizes refer to the measurement in inches. For example, a 10-22 tire would measure 10 inches wide across the tread surface, and the wheel diameter would be 22 inches.

Three-Number System

• Lawn and garden tractor tires may also use a three-number system to indicate the size of the tire. The first number indicates the height of the tire, while the second number indicates the width of the tire across the tread surface. The third number indicates the diameter of the wheel. A 25-12.00-9 tire measures 25 inches in height, 12 inches across the wheel, with a rim size of 9 inches.

Types of Tires

• Lawn and garden tractors come in different varieties, depending on the use of the tire. A turf tire has grooves with a relatively flat tread surface. This provides flotation over grass with minimal damage to the turf from indentations due to the weight of the tractor. An industrial tire is more aggressive, with V-shaped lugs rising a moderate amount from the flat surface of the tire. The lugs are fairly wide to provide additional flotation, and are a good compromise to prevent damage and still give good traction. Agricultural tires have taller V-shaped lugs that are narrower. These are designed to cut into soft ground and mud, providing traction to move the tractor forward.

Tire Chains

• Turf or industrial tires can produce more traction in mud or snow and ice conditions with the installation of tire chains. The metal chains run across the face of the tire, and provide a hard surface that digs in to terrain with low traction. These chains can be removed when maximum traction is no longer needed, in order to prevent damage to softer surfaces. You must purchase tire chains of the correct size, matching your tires, to allow for proper fit and installation.