Replacing "tyres" on robotic mower wheels

I would be tempted to try some small hex headed sheet metal screws in the tyres to give them more "bite". https://share.google/VPEVwzyMgniJFeqy1

These are used by some runners in old shoes to make them suitable for running in icy conditions.

Tim

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Another thought, try seaching for robot lawnmower tyre rather than wheel. You may be able to glue a new tyre on.

Tim

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Check Aliexpress? If they're generic Chinesium wheels you might be able to get them - but don't search for 'Brand Model wheels', look for 'lawnmower wheels' or similar.

I bought some air compressor wheels - the vendor of the compressor wanted £x for their wheels and I got identical generics on Ali for half that. (to be fair, neither sum was very much)

Theo

As soon as I posted that I had another idea: 3D print a slip-on tyre out of TPU. Has anyone here tried this?

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It's hard to know. It's a John Deere Tango E5 mower (made in Germany, I think). I haven't removed the wheels yet but I think the electric motor drives the inner circumference of the wheel, so this needs to be correct.

I've 3d printed TPU. I found the 95A stuff to be harder than I expected, but that's probably what you want for tyres. I couldn't say how durable they might be - it tends to print in strings and I suspect the strings might delaminate sooner or later. Also overhangs tend to turn into a stringy mess because support structures don't really work for TPU (at least, unless you can use a different material for supports).

But it's not a terrible idea to give it a try - assuming you already have access to a 3D printer.

Theo

or use image search ...

IME drying the TPU filament well before printing gives much better results.

This might be an excuse to up-size the printer :-) My mk3S+ only goes to

I've tried that :-( Having now taken off a wheel I was wrong about the geared drive. There is a gearbox and an oval drive shaft. The wheel has 4 slots in the centre, into which a metal drive adapter fits - this has an oval hole to fit the drive shaft. Here are pics of front, back and adapter:

Retread the wheel - as you may have already seen, with mountain bike tyres