Lawn, Garden and Utility Tyre Sizing - how does it work?
The sizing of garden or lawn mower tyres is typically represented by a series of numbers and letters that provide specific information about the tyre's dimensions, construction, and compatibility. Let's break down a couple of example tyre sizes, such as "13x5.00-6":
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Overall Diameter (13 inches): The first number, in this case, "13," represents the overall diameter of the tyre in inches. It signifies the height of the tyre from the ground to the top of the tyre when properly inflated and mounted on a wheel.
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Section Width (5.00 inches): The second number, like "5.00," indicates the section width of the tyre. It's the width of the tyre's cross-section, measured from sidewall to sidewall, in inches. In this case, the tyre is 5.00 inches wide.
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Construction Type (-): The hyphen ("-") separates the section width from the third part of the code, indicatintg the tyre's construction type. In this example, the hyphen suggests that the tyre has a bias-ply construction, which is common in smaller garden and lawn mower tyres.
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Rim Diameter (6 inches): The third number, following the hyphen, represents the diameter of the wheel rim in inches. In this example, "6" indicates that the tyre is designed to fit a wheel with a 6-inch diameter.
So, in summary, the tyre size "13x5.00-6" provides the following information:
- Overall Diameter: 13 inches
- Section Width: 5.00 inches
- Construction Type: Bias-ply (indicated by the hyphen)
- Rim Diameter: 6 inches
Another tyre size example is "4.10/3.50-4":
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Section Width (4.10 inches): The first number, in this case, "4.10," represents the section width of the tyre. It indicates the width of the tyre's cross-section, measured from sidewall to sidewall, in inches.
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Aspect Ratio (/): The slash ("/") is used to separate the section width from the aspect ratio. However, in some cases, this part might be absent, especially in smaller garden or lawn mower tyres. In the example "4.10/3.50-4," the aspect ratio is specified.
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Aspect Ratio (3.50): The aspect ratio, when present, indicates the height of the tyre's sidewall as a percentage of the section width. In this example, "3.50" suggests that the sidewall height is 3.50 inches, and it represents 3.50/4.10 (or approximately 85%).
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Construction Type (-): The hyphen ("-") separates the aspect ratio from the third part of the code, indicating the tyre's construction type. In this example, the hyphen suggests that the tyre has a bias-ply construction, which is common in smaller garden and lawn mower tyres.
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Rim Diameter (4 inches): The last number, following the hyphen, represents the diameter of the wheel rim in inches. In this example, "4" indicates that the tyre is designed to fit a wheel with a 4-inch diameter.
So, in summary, the tyre size "4.10/3.50-4" provides the following information:
- Section Width: 4.10 inches
- Aspect Ratio: 3.50 (if present, indicating the sidewall height as a percentage of the section width)
- Construction Type: Bias-ply (indicated by the hyphen)
- Rim Diameter: 4 inches
Understanding these specifications is crucial when replacing or upgrading garden or lawn mower tyres to ensure proper fitment and performance. It's important to match the new tyres with the size recommended by the equipment manufacturer or consult the user manual for specific guidance.