Cracked Rim 3030

[kubuddha]

I had methyl alcohol and water added to the rear for ballast. On Christmas went to the tractor shed to give her a warm up, I haven't run her since Thanksgiving. I noticed the rear tires and rims were sweating up to the ballast level and on further pre-op I noticed a hair line crack in the rim, also there wasn't any noticeable deflation.

One, the shed isn't heated and we've had some low 20 temps in November and December. Two, being enclosed the tractor doesn't get any sun light. Since November I only drove the tractor a 100 yards and haven't done any work with it. I'm assuming I have iced up ballast and it's preventing any deflation.

Due to my 7 day work schedule I haven't contacted the dealer or am able while they are open. However I called the salesman at home at 9p.m. last evening, not to my liking and probably not to his either, because there wasn't a return call. I must add my salesman is a pleasure to deal with and is attentive.

Would appreciate any simular experiences!!! I won't be able to respond to any post until 1/4/07 after 8 p.m. Thanks again!

 

[KubotaSteve]

If the ballast is icing up, then it sounds like you need to switch the type of ballast you are using. Ice is very bad in the tire. Definitely do not drive it like that . That ice could be very hazardous to your tire life.

 

[ducati996]

Due to my 7 day work schedule I haven't contacted the dealer or am able while they are open. However I called the salesman at home at 9p.m. last evening, not to my liking and probably not to his either, because there wasn't a return call.

Calling someone at that hour is rude in my opinion and you know there is nothing he could do at that hour. He may be all smiles about that to your face, but its really unnecessary. Everybody has busy schedules so calling during normal hours can be difficult but not impossible. Its a simple replacement probably under warranty, nothing to call him late at home for...

 

[Sully2]

LOL... WOW!! Im sure glad from that reply you didnt call him at 10:00 O'clock.....lol

 

[simonmeridew]

I doubt the tire is frozen up at +20 degrees. What you saw was a tire that was cold, say 20 degrees, and since water takes a long time to warm up due to its specific heat, the air temp warmed up and due to the relative humidity that day, the dew point was say 22 degrees and moisture in the air condensed out on the colder surfaces including the tire. This was "frost" on the outside due to the dew point. I have seen this many times on my 8N tires and on my L4400 tires more recently. Neither of these tires will freeze due to a saturated solution of calcium chloride and beet pulp sugar, respectively, yet each will show this frost.
The cracked rim is unrelated to a frosty tire
simonmeridew

 

[kubuddha]

I agree a late phone call is rude, but when you put in10 hours 900' underground and 5 miles back it's impossible to get a phone call out most times.

____________________

B3030,403 loader, box blade, rear blade

 

[kubuddha]

Simonmeridew,

Thanks for your reply and insight !

 

[Regal]

900' underground and 5 miles back it's impossible to get a phone call out most times.

Most times??
Must have a Verizon (Can you hear me now?)

 

[john_bud]

Kububbha,

It sounds like dew forming on the outside. Not a leak or a sign of the fill being frozen. A frozen tire isn't catastrophic, it will just go "lump lump lump" due to the severe imbalance. Around here (WI) it happens, typically with no lasting harm.

Where was the "crack"? I use quotes, as I have myself mistaken surface debris for a crack and know it's pretty easy to do. Especially when your brain is telling you other bad news (froze tire fill). Typically, new equipment won't get cracks unless you did some things really harsh and abusive to the tractor - and I doubt you are that type of person. But still, even good tractors can have bad manufacturing faults. If it really is a crack, Kubota is in general very very good about standing behind the product and getting it fixed or repaired. Honestly all of the manufacturers are these days.

At 900' down you must be pulling out coal? My dad and his dad were in that line of work in the Hershey PA area. Dad joined the army in WW2 and never went back. His dad died in the 50's from black lung. Tough business. Good luck!

jb

 

[ducati996]

I agree a late phone call is rude, but when you put in10 hours 900' underground and 5 miles back it's impossible to get a phone call out most times.

____________________

B3030,403 loader, box blade, rear blade

I would agree that cell phone coverage would be useless - so there is always leaving a message at his work Voice mail prior to going underground, or even better seeing the dealer on their weekend hours....keep in mind your work schedule is your problem, not the rest of the worlds.

 

[JerryG]

No colder than the temperature was, I really don't see how it could have frozen enough to cause a problem. I have put methanol in dozens of tires. Even if the strength was on the low side it wouldn't be a problem in the twenties.
Where is the crack located on the rim?

 

[kubuddha]

JerryG.-Simonmeridew-John Bud

Thanks for the replies! What I have is a lack of weld at the edge of the rim and a shallow weld about an 1 and 1/4" back, the condensation popped the paint. First inspection was done at night with a weak flashlight. Dealer service said they would do a replacement, but a little weld and some paint may do the trick.

Thanks again!

 

[john_bud]

JerryG.-Simonmeridew-John Bud

Thanks for the replies! What I have is a lack of weld at the edge of the rim and a shallow weld about an 1 and 1/4" back, the condensation popped the paint. First inspection was done at night with a weak flashlight. Dealer service said they would do a replacement, but a little weld and some paint may do the trick.

Thanks again!

Weld failure? That's such an easy thing to weld and probably done by a robot, I wonder how they screwed it up? Have you checked the other side for poor welds too? Hate to say it, but that could be part of a bad batch.

Anyway, it sounds like they are ponying up and fixing it with out any fuss, muss or cuss. That's good!
jb

 

[638]

A cracked rim at the butt weld (along the edge) is not to uncommon. What is uncommon is the fact that it was missed in inspection and allowed to leave the plant. I worked at a wheel plant for 18 years, and very few bad wheels got past the inspectors.

ron