Ag Tires vs Turf Tires Lawn Tractor: Which One Should You Buy?
Ag tires and turf tires for a lawn tractor compared on tread, ply, load and rim size, with a verdict on which side suits loose soil and which suits mowed grass.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Welironly 24x12-12 2-Link Tire Chains for Lawn Tractors9.7/10View on Amazon - 2
EGO Power+ Electric Riding Lawn Mower9.5/10View on Amazon - 3
Greenworks 80V 42" CrossoverT Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor9.5/10View on Amazon - 4
MaxAuto 20x10-8 Riding Mower TiresView on Amazon - 5
MaxAuto 16x6.50-8 Ag Farm High-Traction Lawn Mower TiresView on Amazon - 6
RRQ 15x6.00-6nhs Lawn Mower TiresView on Amazon - 7
20x10.00-10 Lawn Mower TiresView on Amazon - 8
18x9.50-8 Lawn Mower TiresView on Amazon - 9
15x6.00-6 Lawn Mower TiresView on Amazon
Verdict: Choose ag tires if the tractor works loose soil, garden ground or trencher-style jobs where lug grip matters. Choose turf tires if the tractor mainly mows lawns and the grass surface matters as much as traction.
The ag tires vs turf tires lawn tractor question comes down to what the ground under the tractor asks for. Ag tread bites into loose soil with angled lugs, while turf tread uses a shallower pattern, and the MAXROLLORS maker lists its pattern as minimizing turf damage. This comparison covers the differences, then the examples from the listings reviewed.
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TUFFIOM 24x12.00-12 Turf Tire Set of 2
A 24x12.00-12 turf tire set of 2 with an 8-ply rating, a non-directional tread, a tread depth of 0.35 inches and a stated load capacity of 2925 pounds, for mounting on a 12 inch rim.
Read the full review
The TUFFIOM example is a 24x12.00-12 turf tire with a non-directional tread, a tread depth of 0.35 inches, a section width of 12.01 inches and a stated load capacity of 2925 pounds. The listing states 8PR in the size specification and also describes a 4PR tubeless design in the leak-proof bullet, so the ply rating is stated inconsistently, and the 8-ply figure from the title and spec table is used here.
Pros
- Stated load capacity of 2925 pounds, the highest stated load among the examples
- 8-ply rating with a tubeless build for lawn and garden utility vehicles
- Non-directional turf tread for mowed ground
- Tread depth of 0.35 inches and a section width of 12.01 inches stated in the listing
Cons
- Listing states 8PR in the size specification and a 4PR design in the leak-proof bullet, so the ply rating is stated inconsistently
- Rim not included, tire only
- Mounts on a 12 inch rim, so it fits tractors using that rim size
- No pressure rating stated in the listing
MAXROLLORS 18x9.50-8 Turf-S Tire Set of 2
An 18x9.50-8 turf-S tire, sold as a set of 2, with a 4-ply tubeless build, a 5mm tread pattern and a stated load capacity of 1040 pounds at 24 psi.
Read the full review
The MAXROLLORS example is an 18x9.50-8 turf-S tire with a 4-ply tubeless build, a 5mm tread pattern, a tread depth of 0.2 inches and a stated load capacity of 1040 pounds at 24 psi. The maker lists an S-pattern tread that delivers traction while minimizing turf damage, and a wide shoulders design for traction and weight disbursement. The listing is consistent across its bullets and spec table on size, ply, load and pressure.
Pros
- Turf-S pattern tread that the maker lists as minimizing turf damage
- Stated load capacity of 1040 pounds at 24 psi
- High-rubber-content tubeless build that the maker lists as resisting wear and cracking
- Wide shoulders design for traction and weight disbursement, as stated in the listing
Cons
- 4-ply rating sits below the 6-ply and 8-ply ratings of the other examples
- Tread depth of 0.2 inches is shallow for loose soil work
- Wheel not included, tire only
- NHS series tire, not suitable for high speed service, as stated in the listing
HORSESHOE 18x8.50-10 Super Lug Tire Set of 2
An 18x8.50-10 super lug tire set of 2 with a 6-ply rating, a herring bone tread pattern, a tread depth of 17.8 millimeters and a stated load capacity of 1050 pounds at 32 psi.
Read the full review
The HORSESHOE example is an 18x8.50-10 ag tire with a super lug herring bone tread, pattern model T148, a tread depth of 17.8 millimeters and a 6-ply bias rubber nylon tubeless build. The bullets state a load capacity of 1050 pounds at 32 psi, while the spec table states 800 pounds and 28 psi; the bullet figures are used here.
Pros
- Super lug herring bone tread pattern for farm and garden tractor work
- Stated load capacity of 1050 pounds at 32 psi in the bullets
- 6-ply bias rubber nylon tubeless build
- Fits a long list of mower and tractor brands stated in the listing
Cons
- Spec table states 800 pounds and 28 psi, against 1050 pounds and 32 psi in the bullets
- Spec table section width of 7 inches against 8.50 inches in the bullets
- Included components list tires only, no wheel stated
- Not for highway service, as stated in the tread type
MaxAuto 18x9.50-8 Super Lug Tire Set of 2
An 18X9.50-8 super lug tire set of 2 with a 6-ply tubeless build, a directional tread with sharp angled elements, a tread depth of 16 millimeters and a stated load capacity of 1320 pounds at 36 psi.
Read the full review
The MaxAuto example is an 18X9.50-8 super lug tire with a directional tread, sharp angled tread elements for pulling and pushing power, a tread depth of 16 millimeters and a section width of 8.7 inches. The bullets state a load capacity of 1320 pounds at 36 psi, while the spec table states a load capacity of 1040 pounds; the bullet figure is used here, since the brief trusts the title and bullets over the spec table.
Pros
- Directional super lug tread with sharp angled elements for pulling and pushing power
- Stated load capacity of 1320 pounds at 36 psi in the bullets
- 6-ply tubeless build for garden tractors, tillers and trenchers
- Set of 2 tires, with a tread depth of 16 millimeters stated
Cons
- Spec table states a load capacity of 1040 pounds, against 1320 pounds in the bullets
- Wheel not included, tire only
- Non-highway service only, as stated in the listing
- Warranty is not stated on the listing
Other machines to compare
MaxAuto 20x10-8 Riding Mower TiresCheck price on Amazon
MaxAuto 16x6.50-8 Ag Farm High-Traction Lawn Mower TiresCheck price on Amazon
RRQ 15x6.00-6nhs Lawn Mower TiresCheck price on Amazon
20x10.00-10 Lawn Mower TiresCheck price on Amazon
18x9.50-8 Lawn Mower TiresCheck price on Amazon
15x6.00-6 Lawn Mower TiresCheck price on Amazon
Ag tires vs turf tires lawn tractor side by side
| Factor | TUFFIOM 24×12.00-12 | MAXROLLORS 18×9.50-8 | HORSESHOE 18×8.50-10 | MaxAuto 18×9.50-8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tread | Non-directional turf tread | Turf-S pattern tread | Super lug herring bone tread | Directional super lug tread |
| Size | 24×12.00-12 | 18×9.50-8 | 18×8.50-10 | 18X9.50-8 |
| Ply | 8-Ply | 4-Ply | 6-Ply | 6-Ply |
| Load capacity | 2925 pounds | 1040 pounds | 1050 pounds | 1320 pounds |
| Pressure | Not stated | 24 psi | 32 psi | 36 psi |
| Rim figure stated | Mounts on a 12 inch rim | 7 inches rim width | 10 inches rim size | 7 inches rim width |
| Suits | Lawn and garden utility vehicles | Lawn tractors and garden tractors | Garden tractors and riding mowers | Garden tractors, tillers and trenchers |
| Warranty | 1 Year Manufacturer | 1 Year | 1 Year Warranty | Not stated |
Figures are manufacturer stated for the examples, collected 28 October 2026.
Tread: lug grip or lawn-friendly pattern
The ag examples use lug tread for loose ground. The MaxAuto example uses directional tires with sharp angled tread elements for pulling and pushing power, and the maker lists the super lug tire as most often found on garden tractors, tillers and trenchers. The HORSESHOE example uses a super lug herring bone pattern, model T148, on an ag, farm and garden tractor tire.
The turf examples use tread made for mowed ground. The TUFFIOM example uses a non-directional turf tread, and the MAXROLLORS example uses a Turf-S pattern tread that the maker lists as delivering traction while minimizing turf damage, with a wide shoulders design for traction and weight disbursement.
Size, ply and load
The examples cover a spread of sizes. The TUFFIOM turf example is 24×12.00-12 with an 8-ply rating in the title and spec table and a stated load capacity of 2925 pounds. The MAXROLLORS turf example is 18×9.50-8 with a 4-ply rating and a stated load capacity of 1040 pounds at 24 psi. On the ag side, the HORSESHOE example is 18×8.50-10 with a 6-ply rating and a stated load capacity of 1050 pounds at 32 psi in the bullets, while the MaxAuto example is 18X9.50-8 with a 6-ply rating and a stated load capacity of 1320 pounds at 36 psi in the bullets.
Read the load figures with care, because the listings contradict themselves. The MaxAuto spec table states a load capacity of 1040 pounds against 1320 pounds in the bullets, and the HORSESHOE spec table states 800 pounds and 28 psi against 1050 pounds and 32 psi in the bullets. The TUFFIOM listing states no pressure rating, and the MAXROLLORS listing is consistent on 1040 pounds at 24 psi. Where a listing disagrees with itself, the bullet figures are used in this comparison.
What each side is for
Ag tires suit work where grip beats a clean finish. The MaxAuto listing names lawn tractors, garden tractors, tillers, trenchers and farm equipment, and the HORSESHOE listing names ag farm garden tractors and commercial lawn riding mowers.
Turf tires suit work where the lawn is the job. The TUFFIOM listing names lawn and garden utility vehicles, and the MAXROLLORS listing names lawn mowers, riding lawn mowers, lawn tractors and garden tractors. If the tractor mainly mows and the grass must look tidy after the pass, a turf pattern is the working choice. The sides overlap on garden tractors, so the dividing line is tread and surface, not the machine alone.
Fit checks before buying
Every listing in this comparison says to check the size of the original tire before ordering, and that advice is worth following. The TUFFIOM example mounts on a 12 inch rim, the HORSESHOE example states a rim size of 10 inches, and the MaxAuto and MAXROLLORS examples state a rim width of 7 inches. A tire that matches on diameter but not on rim size will not mount, so check the sidewall of the tire coming off the tractor.
The MaxAuto and MAXROLLORS listings state tire only with the wheel not included, the TUFFIOM listing states rim not included, and the HORSESHOE listing lists tires in its included components, so plan to reuse the existing wheels.
The examples
Acreage and terrain fit
TUFFIOM 24×12.00-12
MAXROLLORS 18×9.50-8
HORSESHOE 18×8.50-10
MaxAuto 18×9.50-8
Matching It to Your Property
- Loose soil and garden ground: pick the lug tread examples, with the angled or herring bone pattern the listings state.
- Mowed lawns and beds: pick the turf tread examples; the MAXROLLORS maker lists its pattern as minimizing turf damage.
- Obstacles and tight turns: check the section width and rim size the listing states before ordering.
- Wheels and rims: the listings state tire only or rim not included, so plan to reuse the existing wheels.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance (tread, size and stated load), build quality (ply rating and construction), value (what comes in the box for the stated specs), safety (certifications or operator controls the listing states) and warranty (years and coverage). A factor the listing does not state scores zero, which is why the MaxAuto example scores zero for warranty and every example scores zero for safety.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUFFIOM 24×12.00-12 | 9.6 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 3 |
| MAXROLLORS 18×9.50-8 | 9.5 | 28 | 20 | 21 | 0 | 3 |
| HORSESHOE 18×8.50-10 | 9.5 | 27 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 3 |
| MaxAuto 18×9.50-8 | 9.5 | 29 | 21 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
Never mow a slope steeper than the maximum your manual lists, and mow up and down slopes rather than across. Use the ROPS and seat belt where the machine has them (follow the manual on when a folding ROPS may be lowered), never carry passengers, keep children and pets out of the yard while you mow, and disengage the blades before reversing. Refuel only with the engine off and cool. See CPSC riding lawnmower safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: mowing large lots
Can ag tires damage a mowed lawn?
They can leave marks, since lug tread is made to dig into loose ground. The turf examples use a non-directional tread or a Turf-S pattern that the maker lists as minimizing turf damage, which suits a lawn that must look tidy after mowing.
Can turf tires handle loose soil?
Only up to a point. A shallow turf pattern rolls well on mowed grass but has less bite in loose soil than a super lug pattern. For tiller and garden work, the ag examples with angled or herring bone lugs are the working choice.
How do I check the right tire size?
Read the size from the sidewall of the tire coming off the tractor and match it against the listing, including the rim figure. The examples state a 12 inch rim, a 10 inch rim size and a 7 inch rim width, so a match on diameter alone is not enough.
Do these tires include wheels?
No. The MaxAuto and MAXROLLORS listings state tire only with the wheel not included, the TUFFIOM listing states rim not included, and the HORSESHOE listing lists tires in its included components. Reuse the existing wheels.
What does the ply rating mean in these listings?
The listings state ply ratings as part of the build: the MAXROLLORS example is 4-ply, the MaxAuto and HORSESHOE examples are 6-ply, and the TUFFIOM example is 8-ply. The load capacity still comes from the figure the listing states for that tire, not from the ply number alone.
