Are flat free front tires (11x4.00-5) available for JD GX85 riding mower? Or tubes?

[Gene123]

Hello fellows. My pneumatic front tires leak slowly on my little GX85 and SRX75 riding mowers. :thumbdown: Their size is 11x4.00-5. Are flat free tires available? Or, do you think I should just put an inner tube in them? Can you recommend one brand over another? Where's a good source to buy either of these? Thank you.

 

[BBO]

My pneumatic front tires leak slowly on my little GX85 and SRX75 riding mowers. Their size is 11x4.00-5. Are flat free tires available? Or, do you think I should just put an inner tube in them?

Read this thread.
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/john-deere-forum/17013-best-place-buy-tires.html

 

[Gittyup]

I put inner tubes in the front tires on my 425. Wish I had done it years earlier. Haven't had to add much air in nearly 4 years now with the tubes. Leaks, both fast and slow, are a PITA. When I had to buy new rear tires, I went with 6 ply instead of the standard 2 ply. So, far not even a leak down on those in 4 years. On my next GT, I'm seriously considering foam filling the rears right from day one.

 

[Gene123]

Thanks, BBO. ... Found interesting information at that link.

 

[Gene123]

Thanks, Gittyup.

 

[BBO]

On my next GT, I'm seriously considering foam filling the rears right from day one.

I am not a fan of any slime, foam, goo. or leak stopper that might rust the wheels.:thumbdown:
It sure makes a mess to clean if you do decide to put a tube in.

Below is where some "fix-a-flat" rusted a wheel on mine.

 

[Gene123]

Thanks for the words of wisdom and posting a great photo lots of us can learn from. I just had a rather unexpected incident with a GX85 front tire (11x4.00-5) containing green slime. The outer bead dislocated from the rim while turning. Lots of green slime squirted out. The bead and the rim were very greasy from the slime. This seems to have contributed to the outer sidewall becoming unseated from the rim. Have you heard anything about using the type of tires that don't have air in them --- the "flat free" tires?

 

[BBO]

Have you heard anything about using the type of tires that don't have air in them --- the "flat free" tires?

I have never tried any of these, but it seems you would need to replace wheels and all.
So the bore size and horizontal dimension would need to match.

I would suspect these hard tires might tend to damage your grass more that softer air filled tires.?
Below is a link for some, but I have no idea if they will fit your mower.
Some really are not that expensive, maybe cheaper than new tires, but I suspect they have cheap bearings inside the wheels.
Some probably even have cheaper sleeve bearings.

On my JD mowers the ball bearings are pretty good quality. No grease needed.
Flat-Free Lawn Mower Wheels | Flat Free Wheels | Tires + Wheels | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Gene123]

Thanks, BBO. I'm following through on that. There's a Northern Tool store about 20 miles from me. I'm wondering the same thing about whether they would leave tracks on the lawn since they are harder. But, the idea of never having to worry about low tires is appealing. I'm retired. Flat tires aren't as much fun as they used to be.

Would you use a new 4 ply with a tube instead of the flat free tire?

 

[Gittyup]

I don't think Foam filling where the foam turns to a solid will excellerate rust. It's a common practice if willing to spend the doe. It is quite heavy and may not be for everyone.