Garden tractor pulling is a popular motorsport activity that involves pulling a weighted sled with a garden tractor. The sport is gaining popularity as it is a fun and challenging hobby for many people. Garden tractor pulling tires play an essential role in this sport. In this article, we will discuss how to cut garden tractor pulling tires to improve the performance of your tractor.
Tools and Materials Required
To cut garden tractor pulling tires, you require the following tools and materials:
- Power drill
- Box saw
- Utility knife
- Safety glasses
- Work gloves
- Masking tape
- Hacksaw
- Tire sidewall paint marker
- Iron filings
- Sandpaper
Cutting the Tires
To start cutting the tires, first, you must dismount them from the wheel. This can be achieved by deflating the tire and removing it from the rim with the help of a tire lever. Once the tire is removed, mark the desired height of the tire using the tire sidewall paint marker. Use the hack saw to cut the tire around the circumference. After cutting, try to sand the edges to remove any rough edges.
Adding Traction
Garden tractor pulling tires require good traction to perform better. Therefore, adding traction is important when cutting tires. With a power drill, drill holes around the sidewall of the tire. Once the holes are drilled, fill them with iron filings, which can be sourced from a local hardware store. Fill enough files that the holes are flush with the tire surface. After all, holes are filled, use masking tape to cover the area to avoid the filings from falling out.
Checking Balance
When cutting a tire, the balance might be affected. Therefore, it is important to check the balance of the tire before mounting it back to the wheel. To do this, place the tire on the balance machine to know which side of the tire that is heavier. Once determined, use a box saw to remove the quick-fire material of the side until it is lighter or close to equal as the other side.
Mounting the Tires Back to the Wheel
Once the tire is cut and balanced, it is time to mount it back to the wheel. Use the tire lever to mount the tire back to the rim, ensuring that the tire is seated perfectly and evenly. Inflate the tire and check for any leaks using a water hose. If no leaks are detected, put the tire back on your garden tractor, and you are ready to pull!
Conclusion
Garden tractor pulling tires are important to the performance of your tractor. Cutting the tires is a task that requires good attention to detail and patience. With the right tools and materials, cutting garden tractor pulling tires can become an easy task that you can do yourself. Follow the steps in this article, and you will have your garden tractor pulling tire ready for the track in no time.
