plugging the sidewall of a ZT mower tire
 

We have a zero turn mower. The missus asked me to teach her how to drive it so instead of mowing, I could do other things. She loves it and has taken over (I do miss it some). When I mowed, I don't think we ever had a flat or broken part. With her driving on the other hand...

I switched the front caster tires to "airless" (essentially a wheel/tire combo filled with foam). They are working REALLY well which has me pleasantly surprised. The rears have been mostly trouble free, but I think there are a couple of plugs in them. The last 2-3 times she's taken it out, the new (<6 months) tire has been flat. Today, I got my chance to pull the tire and look for the puncture. Of course, it was in the sidewall (how does that even happen?). I was going to run to Tractor Supply because they have a tire/wheel combo in stock with Carlisle tires which were, I think, original and seem to be well loved, but then I thought "maybe I should try to plug it." I figured if it doesn't work, then I go buy the tire and I've only wasted the cost of a plug that I had laying around. So far, it seems to be working. I'm not expecting it to last long, but the tires are waiting for me at Tractor Supply. I'll probably get 2 when I do and keep the one old, original Carlisle as a backup

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I was faced with that dilemma last summer. I hated the idea of buying a whole new wheel/tire combo. It seemed so wasteful, and my wheel colors wouldn't match! I asked my tire store what it would cost for a new tire, and they said, "We'll put a tube in it. $25." Done. It felt good to support a local business and save money at the same time.

^This. Go for the tube.

Then- quietly sit on the porch and watch your better half go mow the lawn and figure out what the hell she's hitting. This ain't the Baha 500 for heaven's sake!:)

The tire that I just plugged was a tire that my local tire store installed last summer/fall. It's the only tire in the right size that they had in stock, but is a cheap Chinese tire and while the same measurements, looks narrower than the other, original tire. I think the tire was $50 or 60, and I think all in was $75, so cheaper than buying new, and supporting local.

On the front tires, I tried tubes, but they didn't last long. I think the more wild parts of our property (that the wife mows) have a few different plants that are VERY thorny.

LOL. She drives it like she's driving a tank. I'm just glad that she's easy on cars!

I've seen ads for off roading trailside sidewall tire repair products.

We plugged my Kubota tractor rear tire about 6 years ago. Right in the middle of the sidewall. I wasn't concerned, as it's off-road, slow speed and we just wanted to finish the job. Didn't expect it to last, but it' still holding up.

I'd do it on a lawn mower.

I've had a plug in the sidewall of my Z for at least 10 years now.

So far it's holding fine. It seems like that isn't unusual.