Tractor Tire Repair advice

dourobob · Oct 11, 2002

My neighbour has a deep gash about 2 inched long in one of his rear tractor tires. It has not punctured through but it is possible to see the tire cords in the gash. The tire is loaded. Is there any external method or product that could be used to fill the gash. There does not appear to be any air or fluid leakage so he is hoping to just protect the gash from something else penetrating it.
Any suggestions?

Thanks
Bob

GSS · Oct 11, 2002

I am no tire guru, but I would probably thoroughly clean the tear and surrounding area, take some rubber cement or bicycle tire patch glue, spread the crack open a little and fill it. Then, for additional protection, rough up the surrounding area with some sand paper, clean it again and, using the same glue, stick a clean piece of old inner tube over it.

I'm not sure how permanent this would be, but it might keep the crack from getting aggrevated.

Good luck.

- Gerald

Anonymous Poster · Oct 11, 2002

Not sure what size the tire is...or how bad the gash really is...but one thing he might consider is getting the tire filled with foam.

Not cheap, but neither is a new tire...once foam filled the tire should last "forever."

Not sure if you could run one solid tire and one liquid filled though...

I doubt that there is any easy way to make a permanent repair on the outside of a tire in a gash like that. Been wrong before though...

Bill in Pgh, PA

mrcaptainbob · Oct 11, 2002

I wonder if a couple of the vulcanizing type patches for inner tubes would work. Although a different 'type' of rubber, it may be hot enough to bond to the outside if cleaned well enough. Would have to finagle a way to keep the pressure on the tin, since you couldn't use the standard clamp. Heavy pressure and plenty of time to cool are the keys for those patches on tubes.

jinman · Oct 12, 2002

Bob, I've had some pretty sorry looking tires on both the rear and front of my tractors. One had gashes, cracks, and a couple of cleats partially torn off. None of these things caused any problem. If your neighbor just wants to fill the gash, I'd use the rubber cement method. Otherwise, I'd just forget about it as long as the fluid doesn't leak out. If the fluid starts to leak, then he needs to think about putting a tube into the casing. You can patch a hole on the inside of the tire and then add a tube. Since tractors don't travel at the speed of autos, you don't have to worry about balance and missing pieces; just traction and holding air/liquid.

Egon · Oct 12, 2002

Didn't we used to call those inside patches "Boots"

Egon

jinman · Oct 12, 2002

By golly, I think you are right. ...of course these days down here in Texas, if you ask for a boot inside your tire, you might get a pair of Justins or Tony Lamas. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

gerard · Oct 12, 2002

Try gemplers.com. They have a pretty extensive tire repair product line and make a product that replaces chunk rubber using the vulcanizing process. Sounds like this would do the trick. You basically are welding rubber with this process and it has been used to actually replace the rubber cleats on R1 tires, that's how good the bond is. (Actuall melts the rubber together) Sounds like it would work for what you describe.

Soundguy · Oct 14, 2002

My ford 8n has scary looking tires.. but the innertubes hold air fine. There are many places I can see the nylon cords... but havn't had any problems.

If he is worried about looks, try the rubber cement / innertube patch method.. might not do more than cosmetic fix.. but certantly can't hurt either.

Soundguy

lonesome pine · Mar 20, 2012

Anonymous Poster said:
Not sure what size the tire is...or how bad the gash really is...but one thing he might consider is getting the tire filled with foam.

Not cheap, but neither is a new tire...once foam filled the tire should last "forever."

Not sure if you could run one solid tire and one liquid filled though...

I doubt that there is any easy way to make a permanent repair on the outside of a tire in a gash like that. Been wrong before though...

Bill in Pgh, PA

I was in the tire business and how I fixed tractor tires with big holes or cuts was to but a large boot over the damage spot. then take 1/4 stove bolts and drill holes about six inches out from the bad spot and put 8 to 6 or so to hold the boot in place at the same time tying the boot to the wall of the tire. make it like sewing a patch over a hole in a pair of pants. got a 3000 ford that i fixed a tire bach in the 60's and still holding and running. so it can be fixed. foam i dont think so.

horsechic · Aug 17, 2012

Don't laugh... and I'm sure no tire expert.... But out of desperation .... after an internal patch that left a gapping hole in the rubber with the patch
exposed........ I filled it in with Shoe GOO.... and it's held for 2 yrs so far!... good luck!

Soundguy · Aug 17, 2012

i'd tube the tire, and if the gash is more than half way thru, and NEW.. see about sectioning it. otherwise a large 6" farm patch on the inside and lace the outside with bailing wire stitches.

don't laugh.. lots of farm tractors wear shoes like this.

i've seen a tire BOLTED together with an external piece of tire as an outter patch..

POC · Aug 20, 2012

lonesome pine said:
I was in the tire business and how I fixed tractor tires with big holes or cuts was to but a large boot over the damage spot. then take 1/4 stove bolts and drill holes about six inches out from the bad spot and put 8 to 6 or so to hold the boot in place at the same time tying the boot to the wall of the tire. make it like sewing a patch over a hole in a pair of pants. got a 3000 ford that i fixed a tire bach in the 60's and still holding and running. so it can be fixed. foam i dont think so.

horsechic said:
Don't laugh... and I'm sure no tire expert.... But out of desperation .... after an internal patch that left a gapping hole in the rubber with the patch
exposed........ I filled it in with Shoe GOO.... and it's held for 2 yrs so far!... good luck!

Soundguy said:
i'd tube the tire, and if the gash is more than half way thru, and NEW.. see about sectioning it. otherwise a large 6" farm patch on the inside and lace the outside with bailing wire stitches.

don't laugh.. lots of farm tractors wear shoes like this.

i've seen a tire BOLTED together with an external piece of tire as an outter patch..

All of these things are just what I wanted to hear!
I have a tire I just gashed.

I've tried 3 different places locally, all say, "Oh, no, that tire is junk. Can't fix that. $400(or up to $600) please for a new one."

I knew there had to be a way to fix it. My dad talked about "vulcanizing" tubes back in the 50's and 60's. But I've read you just about can't find anyone to do that anymore. Maybe a truck recapping place, MAYBE.
So with a 2" cut all the way through, what are the suggestions?

Thanks

Gary Fowler · Aug 20, 2012

I think a boot and a tube might hold it but vulcanizing a patch in place will permanently fixit. Dont know if those places are still in business though.

POC · Aug 20, 2012

That's what I'm finding out Gary.

I think I have some 3/8" (or so) thick conveyor belt. Would a section of that do for a boot?

crazyal · Aug 20, 2012

I would be real careful when trying to seat the tire afterwards. That's usually when it'll see the most stress. May not be high pressure but there's lots of air in their and it will have lots of force behind it.

Depmandog · Aug 21, 2012

POC said:
All of these things are just what I wanted to hear!
I have a tire I just gashed.

I've tried 3 different places locally, all say, "Oh, no, that tire is junk. Can't fix that. $400(or up to $600) please for a new one."

I knew there had to be a way to fix it. My dad talked about "vulcanizing" tubes back in the 50's and 60's. But I've read you just about can't find anyone to do that anymore. Maybe a truck recapping place, MAYBE.
So with a 2" cut all the way through, what are the suggestions?

Thanks

There are a few vulcanizing tire repair places still around. If you have a 4x4, rock crawling or off road racing club in your area - I guarantee they will know of someone who repairs tire gashes.

Another option might be to search and or post on one of the off road forums. This would be more of a needle in a haystack approach - finding someone close.

Hope this helps.

Soundguy · Aug 21, 2012

so that 2" gash goes all the way thru?

i'd put a 6" farm patch on the inside of it at run it. with a tube

if it grows.. lace it..

Karl2 · Jan 31, 2013

I noticed that very few tire shops have any experience with tractor and other machinery tires, probably owing to the fact that many if not most owners of such vehicles tend to fix them on their own. Last I dealt with one such shop about fixing a Trac-Loader front tire on one of my tractors they told me using a patch would affact tire balance and make driving "uncomfortable". Excuse me? This is a tractor we're talking about pal, not a Mercedes-Benz. Even with brand-new tires it barrels down the road at 26 mph with a tail wind, bounces all over the place, throws me 10 inches off my seat when I hit that nasty little hump at the intersection (must be the reason why tractor cabins are so high), and he's concerned about comfortable driving? :steeringwheel:

Karl2 · Jan 31, 2013

horsechic said:
Don't laugh... and I'm sure no tire expert.... But out of desperation .... after an internal patch that left a gapping hole in the rubber with the patch
exposed........ I filled it in with Shoe GOO.... and it's held for 2 yrs so far!... good luck!

You should add this to the list of stuff Shoe Goo can fix. You'll find it on their website and it has at least 1,000 entries. Personally I use it to permanently stick components to printed circuit boards that keep coming off in cold temps, ranging from tiny condensers to an 11 lb induction coil on a subwoofer crossover.