Abstract: In an axially elongated, flexible-walled fluid-distensible ground contacting tire which is mounted on a wheel axle by clamping the ends of the tire between a wheel flange and a keeper ring, a guard which projects outwardly from the ends of the tire and encircles the keeper ring for fending off obstructions which tend to jam between the keeper ring and the ends of the tire. The guard is integral with the tire on each end of the tire adjacent to and surrounding the keeper ring and projects outwardly from each tire a distance at least as great as the thickness of the keeper ring and includes a deflecting surface extending from the tire ends outwardly and towards the tire axis for deflecting obstructions.