Thorn Cycles Forum

Community => Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) => Topic started by: No on August 09, 2013, 10:21:52 PM

Title: Need airless lawn mower tires.
Post by: No on August 09, 2013, 10:21:52 PM

I see that there are airless bicycle tires, and some sort of Chinese company who's website I may have been better off not clicking on who makes filled in lawn mower tires, but is there any reputable company out there that sells airless lawn tractor tires?

I don't even know how to get the tires off the rims on a machine like this, so I'm stuck airing it up every time I want to use it.

Title: Re: Need airless lawn mower tires.
Post by: julk on August 10, 2013, 10:57:20 AM

No,
There is an alternative - scything!
Old fashioned but it works well, no air in tyres needed, just a wetstone to hone the edge occasionally.
Even better, it cuts easier in the rain or when the grass is wet.
Interested?
http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/index.html (http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/index.html)
No commercial link, just a satisfied customer.
Julian.

Title: Re: Need airless lawn mower tires.
Post by: triaesthete on August 10, 2013, 11:08:18 AM

Hi Julian
I was interested in scythes to replace an ailing mower. How big an area do you cut and what size scythe do you have?
Ian

Title: Re: Need airless lawn mower tires.
Post by: julk on August 10, 2013, 11:33:34 AM

Ian,
I have a couple of scythes for me and my wife (both OAPs).
Handles: me 6ft - size 3 snath, wife 5ft 6inches size 2 snath.
Blades: 2x70cm and 1x40cm grass blades, 1x65cm tough weed.

This lets us cut a 150sq metres of lawn and occasionally I go and clear rough weed areas in the vicinity as a social act.
It was noticable that our lawn has been green right through this hot summer when lawns alongside us were machine mowed (scalped) and burnt.

The main thing to learn is how to peen and sharpen the blades. This makes cutting with a scythe so easy.
You will feel the difference as soon as the blade loses it fine cutting edge, takes seconds to restore, then maybe quarter of an hour to peen two or three times a year in the cutting season.
Julian.

Title: Re: Need airless lawn mower tires.
Post by: No on August 10, 2013, 05:18:09 PM

Unfortunately that will not work for me over the several acres I have to mow. I don't think my back would take it.

Title: Re: Need airless lawn mower tires.
Post by: Danneaux on August 10, 2013, 11:14:17 PM

This might do the job: http://www.marathonind.com/flat-free-tires/lawnmower-tires.htm

Based in Washington State, but I have no idea where they're sourcing the tires.

They have a FAQ and a number of videos, including one showing an employee's attempts to destroy an airless tire (including foreworks): http://www.marathonind.com/videos/index2.htm

Best,

Dan (...who was surprised to find they were relatively inexpensive)

Title: Re: Need airless lawn mower tires.
Post by: NZPeterG on August 10, 2013, 11:21:48 PM

Hi as a lawn mover mech (for a few years) I get asked about which is the best mowers!

The reply is always the best made (and come with no wheels too!) is a ???

Sheep.

Pete...

Title: Re: Need airless lawn mower tires.
Post by: triaesthete on August 11, 2013, 11:41:32 PM

Scythes sound good to me Julian, thanks for your feedback.
I think I'll take the plunge over winter.

Cheers
Ian