Kitchen Renovations: Don't Try to Do It All Yourself

Your riding lawn mower depends upon it's tires to move smoothly through your lawn. Unfortunately, many lawnmower tires don't get the same level of maintenance as the tires on your other vehicles. The following maintenance guide can help you keep the tires in good condition so that you don't have to replace them prematurely.

Invest in a tire gauge

Tire pressure is the most important aspect when it comes to maintenance. Tires kept at the proper pressure last longer and are less prone to blowing out. It's a good idea to check the pressure at least once a month during the mowing season, as well as in the spring before pulling out the mower for the first time. Your owner's manual or the printing on the side of the tire will tell you the proper pressure amount for the specific tires. If the tires are low, you can use a small air compressor tank to air them up.

Know the wear signs

Although lawn mowers don't get the same mileage on their tires as your car does, the miles they do get can be rough. You should check your tires for wear at the same time that you are checking the pressure. Look for uneven or excessive tread wear or for bumps in the sidewall. Another issue is cracking, which can occur on the sidewall. This problem often happens as the tires age, especially if they are exposed to changing temperatures or if the mower is stored outside. Any of these issues means that it is time to replace the tires.

Patch damage promptly

Occasionally, a tire may be punctured by a nail or other piece of debris that has ended up in your lawn. Often, this sort of damage can be repaired if it occurs in the tread and not in the sidewall of the tire. You can simply remove the tire and bring it in to a lawnmower dealer and repair center for a patch. This can help prolong the life of the tire so you don't have to replace it right away.

Use snow chains responsibly

It's relatively common to fit a riding lawn mower with a snow blade if you live in a snowy climate. You will also need chains on the tires if you want to use the mower as a winter plow. Invest in chains that are sized to fit your specific tires – overly loose chains can wear down the tire tread. You should also only drive on snow and ice with the chains on. Take them off promptly as soon as the snow melts, since chains against hard pavement is damaging to the tires.

For more help, talk to a lawn mower dealer in your area.