Tires Tire sealant - with tubes?

[72chevyblazer]

We just bought a MX5100 that will be used in a part of Texas that has lots of Mesquite and various types of cactus that we know make it quite difficult to keep the air INSIDE the tires where it belongs. It appears that the front tires are tubeless and the rears have tubes. They are R1 ag tires. Has anyone had sucess using slime or one of the other tire sealants (I saw some from Berryman at tsc) in these conditions? Do I need to remove the tubes from the rear before adding sealant? We have a gator that we slimed the tires and haven't had any issues even though the tires are full of thorns. I have read the comments about the mess that slime makes and the risk of corrosion to the rims with some sealants. Any suggestions?

 

[BeezFun]

I consider tubes useful to prevent slow leaks like around rims, but probably not useful if you anticipate lots of punctures. I'd leave the tubes in the rear and if you get a flat use a plug just like there's no tube. If you ever have to dismount the tire you can remove the tube but it won't hurt anything in there. Get yourself a plug kit before you need it, flats always happen on holidays 15 minutes after the stores all close. And buy an extra can of the cement so you have plenty, those little tubes they give you always dry out so there's nothing but a little booger looking thing in there when you open it. I've used slime in bike tires with tubes, it's a mess but it helps if you have a puncture. Also likely to ruin your tire guage unless you move the valve to 12oclock position and clear the air with your finger before checking with guage.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I consider tubes useful to prevent slow leaks like around rims, but probably not useful if you anticipate lots of punctures. I'd leave the tubes in the rear and if you get a flat use a plug just like there's no tube. If you ever have to dismount the tire you can remove the tube but it won't hurt anything in there. Get yourself a plug kit before you need it, flats always happen on holidays 15 minutes after the stores all close. And buy an extra can of the cement so you have plenty, those little tubes they give you always dry out so there's nothing but a little booger looking thing in there when you open it. I've used slime in bike tires with tubes, it's a mess but it helps if you have a puncture. Also likely to ruin your tire guage unless you move the valve to 12oclock position and clear the air with your finger before checking with guage.

I bought a tire repair kit a couple of years ago from Advance Auto. It has the plugs and a tool that reams the hole out and then put a sticky plug on the tool, shove it in the hole all the way thru then pull it back out part way, cut the end off and keep on driving. No glue in a can, only whats on the plug and it is sticky. Used mine a couple of times and plugs still holding. It's a definite recommend for those tire punctures. Check FatWallet.com for Advance Auto and you'll find discounts all the time that make their prices a bit more reasonable and some times even real bargains.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Are the rear tires tubeless and someone has just installed tubes? You can convert tubeless to tube but not the other way around. If they are tubeless and someone put tubes in them, there must have been a reason, like they wouldnt hold air for instance.
I think if I had lots of cactus and thorns, I would get all the tires foam filled. Then the tires would be good till tread wore out. I have heard that they are a bear to get off when needing to replace them though. Might be good if you can leave the tubes in the rear if that is possible with foam filling.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Amazing new tires.........................


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They had a pair at the Philadelphia car show.

Had just left this forum and picked up my email and this was in it. This may be our answer to the thorny tire problem.:thumbsup::laughing::thumbsup:

 

[72chevyblazer]

Are the rear tires tubeless and someone has just installed tubes? You can convert tubeless to tube but not the other way around. If they are tubeless and someone put tubes in them, there must have been a reason, like they wouldnt hold air for instance.
I think if I had lots of cactus and thorns, I would get all the tires foam filled. Then the tires would be good till tread wore out. I have heard that they are a bear to get off when needing to replace them though. Might be good if you can leave the tubes in the rear if that is possible with foam filling.

The tractor is new and came from the dealer this way. The tire are from Titan and they do indicate that tubes are required. When I asked the dealer about sealant he said I would need to take the tubes out before I put sealant in. The seems odd if the tires need tubes.
He also mentioned foam filling before the deal was done but said they didn't recommend it because of the weight. I don't know how much heavier that would be than filling the tires with rim guard. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[72chevyblazer]

I consider tubes useful to prevent slow leaks like around rims, but probably not useful if you anticipate lots of punctures. I'd leave the tubes in the rear and if you get a flat use a plug just like there's no tube.

I'm curious how the valve stem would seal to the rim if I plug the tire? Is the plug going through the tire and tube?

 

[Mac in PA]

I use to work on industrial equipment and some of the units were used in foundries. This has got to be the worst environment for any type of equipment. Not only does the sand cause excessive wear but the small sharp pieces of metal everywhere destroy pneumatic tires.

We would have the tires foam filled for these applications. This makes them a little heavier but they never go flat again.

Removing a foam filled tire after the tread wears down can be a challenge if it's not on a split rim. That's when a Sawzall comes in handy.

Off hand I don't know how much weight the foam adds. If you're considering foam then I suggest calling a tire dealer to find out the difference in weight.


Mac

 

[jonyyuma]

You can have the tire filled with solid foam at the forklift repair shops...There is a slime formula for tubed-tires available too, in gallon containers..

 

[bulldog69]

I wouldn't advise foam. It will ride like a brick and the weight is hard on axles and seals. When you get ready to change tires get ready for fun. We ended up just throwing our skid steer wheels in the junk pile and buying new. It was cheaper to buy new wheels than what the tire store charged in labor to remove the foam.

I use slime in both type tires and it works great. It may take a gallon or two in the rear to keep it covered good. I love the stuff though, it's a life saver to me.

 

[72chevyblazer]

I wouldn't advise foam. It will ride like a brick and the weight is hard on axles and seals. When you get ready to change tires get ready for fun. We ended up just throwing our skid steer wheels in the junk pile and buying new. It was cheaper to buy new wheels than what the tire store charged in labor to remove the foam.

I use slime in both type tires and it works great. It may take a gallon or two in the rear to keep it covered good. I love the stuff though, it's a life saver to me.

Have you used slime with tubes? Everywhere I look only has one formula of slime.

 

[bulldog69]

Yes, I have slime in my L 3000 tires now. Had a slow leak and it's a PIA to break down and patch so I tried slime. I put a gallon in but the leak stopped. The reason I tried it in tubes is because I found some bike tubes that come prefilled with slime. Figured if it worked in them it would work in mine.

 

[72chevyblazer]

Yes, I have slime in my L 3000 tires now. Had a slow leak and it's a PIA to break down and patch so I tried slime. I put a gallon in but the leak stopped. The reason I tried it in tubes is because I found some bike tubes that come prefilled with slime. Figured if it worked in them it would work in mine.

Did you use the regular tubeless stuff, or the tube sealer formula which seems to indicate it is for bicycle and wheelbarrow tires?

 

[bulldog69]

I just used regular I guess. I've bought it from wally, TSC and places like that. Gallon jugs if that helps. I didn't even realize they made 2 different ones.

My buddy orders some stuff and has it shipped to him in 5 gal buckets. It's 3 times thicker than the slime from auto stores and really works to good at times. I have seen it stop up the valve stem even with the core out. It sure does stop a leak in a tire though.

 

[newbury]

Have you used slime with tubes? Everywhere I look only has one formula of slime.

Try going on the world wide web to the slime site, or go to TSC. I just picked up a bottle of slime for tubes at TSC a couple of weeks ago.

 

[72chevyblazer]

OK thanks. I'll give it a shot. I've never seen the stuff for tubes in a store, just on their website.

 

[BeezFun]

I'm curious how the valve stem would seal to the rim if I plug the tire? Is the plug going through the tire and tube?

The plug won't fix the tube if you get a hole, the tube will just flop around in there. Except where the valve stem, which is attached to the tube material, penetrates the hole through the rim. In that area it acts similar to a valve does on a tubeless tire: the air pressure in the tire tries to force the rubber around the valve stem out the hole in the rim, which creates the seal.

 

[72chevyblazer]

We opted for the Berryman's tire sealant from TSC. It says it works in tubeless and tube tires. 1 gallon in each rear tire and a half gallon in each front. Time will tell....

 

[brokenknee]

I consider tubes useful to prevent slow leaks like around rims, but probably not useful if you anticipate lots of punctures. I'd leave the tubes in the rear and if you get a flat use a plug just like there's no tube. If you ever have to dismount the tire you can remove the tube but it won't hurt anything in there. Get yourself a plug kit before you need it, flats always happen on holidays 15 minutes after the stores all close. And buy an extra can of the cement so you have plenty, those little tubes they give you always dry out so there's nothing but a little booger looking thing in there when you open it. I've used slime in bike tires with tubes, it's a mess but it helps if you have a puncture. Also likely to ruin your tire guage unless you move the valve to 12oclock position and clear the air with your finger before checking with guage.

PVC cements works great, I always seam to have some of that around.

I have never tried to plug a tub tire. I would think that would be tough to do.

 

[Owenslee]

Update to an old thread....

I have been fighting recurring flats on my M5040HD from thorns for several years. Most were slow leaks that I simply aired up when I used the tractor. But three thorns in a front tire recently changed that strategy as it would not hold air for more than 5 mins. Both front and rear tires are OEM 6 ply tube type.

I bought five gallons of Berryman's sealant when on sale for $20 off at O'reilly Auto Parts for $99.00 delivered. I chose Berryman's for the lower price and the fact that they specifically reference using it in tube tires.

Berryman Seal-R 1305 - Tire Sealing Compound | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Bought a Slime brand pump for half the going price on Amazon for $44. delivered....and it worked GREAT. Pump is surprisingly well made and well designed.

Amazon.com: Slime Bucket Aluminum Pump for 5-Gallon/55-Gallon Keg: Automotive

I put 96 oz in the front tires and 192 oz in the rear tires. I left the thorns that were deeply embedded in the tires.

Had a 1/2 gallon left over after filling all four tires.

Aired them up to 30 lbs rear and 27 lbs front....and they have not leaked since....

I am a believer....!!!

Will order more for other pieces of equipment when it goes on sale again.