install tubes in zero turn caster tires, problems?

[masraum]

In case anyone was curious, the "noair" brand (company is based out of Waco, TX, but parts are sourced from China, I'm sure) is one of the new "semi-pneumatic" tires that are marketed for the front of riding mowers. They are basically foam filled. A bunch of folks have videos on YT where they make their own from great stuff and that sort of thing. I considered that, but it sounded like a PITA. These do have some give like regular tire, but they are stiffer. I've never driven a car with run-flats, but I imagine it might be similar. I've seen some folks complain that they are stiffer. It's a mower, and I don't think the front is sprung (or has much weight on it anyway). I rode it around for 30 secs. It didn't seem crazy stiff. If I can stop airing up the tires every week, I'll be happy.

[cabmandone]

There's a reason I take the smaller tires to a tire place and have them install them and it's not because I don't know how to do it!

I'll have to look into these "no air" tires

[gamin]

13 year old Toro zero turn caster tires started leaking. Removed them (easy) and took to local tire store. Had tubes installed. Reinstalled wheels. No leaks for over a year.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

There's a reason I take the smaller tires to a tire place and have them install them and it's not because I don't know how to do it!

I'll have to look into these "no air" tires

I've done all manner of bicycle tires over the years, and tires for dollies and wheelbarrows. The front tires on the mower were an enormous PITA. The tires were REALLY tight to get over the lips on the wheels, otherwise the process was easy. Not having the wheels bolted down made dealing with them a pain as well.

Hopefully, these foam filled tires last a nice long time.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by gamin

13 year old Toro zero turn caster tires started leaking. Removed them (easy) and took to local tire store. Had tubes installed. Reinstalled wheels. No leaks for over a year.

Yes, casters on/off is the easy part. I have done the tube install on these 2-3 times in the past year.

I think the issue is that we have Huisache aka Sweet Acacia, here which can get up to about 15' tall, but they pop up in the wilder portion of the yard, and...

[cabmandone]

^^^
Those look bad, but not Locust bad.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

^^^
Those look bad, but not Locust bad.

I was surprised and disappointed that we didn't have any locust on the property. I think locust gets big enough that the missus wouldn't be running over them and getting flats.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by masraum

I was surprised and disappointed that we didn't have any locust on the property. I think locust gets big enough that the missus wouldn't be running over them and getting flats.

Until they start dropping those massive thorns on the ground. Nothing like a peaceful walk through the woods being interrupted by a thorn piercing the boot, or in my friend's case his Crocs. In fairness, if you wear Crocs in the woods, you were asking for it!

You wouldn't believe how many pair of waterproof hunting boots I've had ruined by those damn locust thorns. I quit wearing my hunting boots into the woods for anything but hunting.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

Until they start dropping those massive thorns on the ground. Nothing like a peaceful walk through the woods being interrupted by a thorn piercing the boot, or in my friend's case his Crocs. In fairness, if you wear Crocs in the woods, you were asking for it!

You wouldn't believe how many pair of waterproof hunting boots I've had ruined by those damn locust thorns. I quit wearing my hunting boots into the woods for anything but hunting.

Wow, dropping the thorns? That's evil.