Proble we have is too many of them nasty black locust thorned trees on our property and i get a flat everytime i mow etc...Is it good to foamfill the front tires? $500 for front tires only.Any downside to foam fill?If they last 5 years it will save me money and labor. 7 16G.1W is on front tires.Suggestions please
I have a 29hp 4 wheel drive tractor for our 20 acres and front tires are always flat
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dodge man
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You might try Slime in them. It seals small holes.
ultrarunner
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Slime, Tubes? or better yet is do what I did and foam fill… and no more flats but the most expensive option.
ruffdog
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I'm seeing more and more problems with valve cores leaking. Spit on them to see if they are leaking. Also, bend the stem to the side to see if they are rotting/cracking.
K5lwq
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Same here. Had to replace a core last week on the Kioti. 2nd one this year on that tire.
5030
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Get yourself a couple cans of expanding insulation foam and foam them yourself for under 15 bucks.
Yander
Elite Member
Our bigger tractor had one tire always going flat. Took it to the tire guy and he put a tube in it. Problem solved. Don't use slime or fix a flat.. your tire guy will hate you!
.Edit: just read your post again and see your tires going flat because of thorns. Yeah, slime might be your best bet.
.Edit: just read your post again and see your tires going flat because of thorns. Yeah, slime might be your best bet.
paulsharvey
Super Member
We used to use foam filled tires on all terrian forklifts, Lulls, 'telehandlers', reach forks, whatever you want to call it. They were great, and we ran them at upto 16 mph on asphalt. Yes, they ride rough, but we are talking about a 24,000 lbs machine, running, I think 17.5x24s, so ride was never good, and the air filled were Very stiff too. We would get rebar, concrete stakes, tee posts, ect in the tires and never any issue. Don't know what the foam fill cost, but it was better than probably replacing tires 3 or 4 times per year.
With your 7x16, concerns would be a couple things;
I 'think' the minimum charge might be pretty significant to have them filled;
Front will wear out faster than rears because the small diameter, so, if used on concrete/asphalt, maybe these fronts will only last 1000 hours?
It is expensive, and more trouble/expense to clean up and replace
So, I would Google and call around, and price a set of front rims and mounted foam filled tires, as a package. I would Guess your around $900 if available; but I could be Way off, maybe it's $2500?
With your 7x16, concerns would be a couple things;
I 'think' the minimum charge might be pretty significant to have them filled;
Front will wear out faster than rears because the small diameter, so, if used on concrete/asphalt, maybe these fronts will only last 1000 hours?
It is expensive, and more trouble/expense to clean up and replace
So, I would Google and call around, and price a set of front rims and mounted foam filled tires, as a package. I would Guess your around $900 if available; but I could be Way off, maybe it's $2500?
paulsharvey
Super Member
Some generic googling, seems to suggest between $150-300 per tire to have them foamed. Personally, I would probably get a new set of fronts and have them foamed, if the tread or general tire is torn up or worn much.
bmaverick
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You are so right. Slime is both flammable and a bit toxic. Slime is only good for 1 to 2 years.
The US Army uses Flatout under the product ID of Multi-Seal. Same with the semi-trucks. It's liquid kevlar. Fixes holes up to a nickle in size. I got the SAME problem with those @#$%!#$!#$% locust trees too. This product works very well, even for tubes. I got it at Menards for $16 for a large bottle.
Flatout is non-flammable and not toxic. Lasts the life of the tire!
4-PACK MULTI-PURPOSE FORMULA
NEW LOOK, SAME GREAT TIRE SEALANT! GET 33% OFF + FREE SHIPPING DON’T GIVE FLAT TIRES A SPORTING CHANCE: Save money, save time, and stay safe while avoiding costly tire repairs with FlatOut, the revolutionary tire sealant that stops the leak before it happens CONTAINS SUPER-STRONG KEVLAR...
shop.flatouttire.com
Where to Buy - FlatOut™ Tire Sealant
FlatOut™ is a one-time tire sealant that prevents flats and repairs tire punctures and slow leaks. Lasts for the life of the tire and easy-to-install. Shop now!
www.flatouttire.com
newbury
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Not really, definitely won't go flat but will ride rough.
paulsharvey
Super Member
Yes, but I feel if you don't mind the price, the benefits outweigh the down sides;
Even foam filled, the fronts Will wear out and need replaced, and it will need done again, and it will cost significantly more to have the tire and foam cut off rim
Rougher ride, but really, none of the tires we are discussing are a soft ride
Even foam filled, you Can still damage a tire, but it takes a Lot of damage to get to the point it needs replaced. I'm talking about chunks ripped out, large chunks, but it can still happen, mostly in demolition equipment
They make different densities of foam, ranging from pretty squishy, upto bowling ball solid; what I've used I would compare to the weight/stiffness of solid rubber
Weight, foam filled are heavy. That's not really a problem and may be more of benefit, but it is something to be aware off. On those fronts, we probably are talking less than an extra 100lbs per tire
paulsharvey
Super Member
Probably not your bolt pattern, but looks like a pre-foam filled 7x16 industrial type tread, on wheel, is about $450 each. That's really not that bad, an might give you some general pricing ideas.
paulsharvey
Super Member
Sorry, didn't see you already had a price to foam the existing tires. I would look and see if the tread is good, and if so, that $500 for both is pretty good, just in down time and frustration
seville009
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Did the same - foam filled all four tires years ago. Was worth the cost, in my opinion.
5030
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The issue is, even on a tractor with no suspension, the tire has no ability to flex under load so it will ride even rougher than before.
I've used limited expanding foam in my lawnmower tires in the past, I remove the tire valve and blow it into the tire through the now clear tire valve hole until it's full and coming back out the valve stem and then I screw the valve core back in and let is sit for a couple hours and reinstall it. the smaller the diameter the tire is the quicker it is to foam. Far as removal, just use a angle grinder and slice the tire in a couple spots and pry it off. In my situation, the no tread front ZTR tires are always going flat. I eliminated that issue with 'foam at home'...lol
paulsharvey
Super Member
What I am talking about, and I think our OP is considering, is not Great Stuff foam, it's a dense rubber like, I Think butalyne material. They have different densities, ranging from fairly light to something like 12#/gal
Blue Mule
Platinum Member
What type of tire? R4s are thicker and more robust. Maybe that's why most compact tractors come with them by default these days.
5030
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I'd say they come with R4's because most of the small ones are 'hobby' tractors. I know with Kubota at least, you can specify what type of tire you want but the default is R4 which not something I'd want. I've had R4's on previous tractors and the traction, especially on damp dirt is marginal at best.