Ballast Filling the tires with Jel?

[Charliebrn]

In pricing, I posted a questiona bout filling my tires with foam. In brief, I have a meadow out back (about 2 acres) that after I mow, it leaves stubble, some of which is pretty sharp. I have had LOTS of flats back there with a Cub I used to own. I had hoped that the 4 ply tires on my BX would be better, but no, First cut and already a flat. Called thedealer, he suggested filling the fronts with foam. He called me back, said that the place that does it doesn't use the old foam that got hard, they now use a jel of sorts that hardens, but not to the point that the foam did, and still leaves some cushion in the tires. Cost is about $65 per tire (front, turfs). Any opinions out there? Anyone used it or heard anything about it? Supposedly, I won't have flats anymore...and that is an attractive idea..

 

[GlueGuy]

Charlie,

I bikes there is a thing called a "tuffy" (local name, not sure about where you live) that more-or-less flat-proofs bicycle tires. It is essentally an armor layer that goes between the tire and inner tube. Most that I've seen are made of kevlar or other semi-bullet-proof material. Wonder if there is such a thing for tractor tires?

The GlueGuy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

First figure out the "volume" of the bicycle stuff you'll need to fill a tractor tire...

Then proceed to the bank and fill out the "loan papers".../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[JimReichard]

They use foam to fill the tires of bobcats in alot of cases to keep the tires from getting flat while working on job sites( nails,broken glass,ect,ect) and it really does work .You still may get a hole in your tire but the foam keeps the tire from collapsing and you don't have to worry about getting it pluged.

JIM

 

[patton]

I have the front (tri-rib) tires filled on my 1050. It adds a lot a weight (more than water + CaCl), and makes the ride rougher then water filling would. The upside is nothing resembling a nail, thorn, or stump will hurt the tire. I'm sure it would be possable to damage them in an industrial setting likle a junkyard.

You may loose some traction from making the tire stiffer.

Pat

 

[skent]

Is it a problem getting the tire off the rim when its time for replacement???

I would like to do that on my DC.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Yes, a big problem. Some folks chuck the tire and rim and get a whole new setup. While foaming is great for folks who need the ultimate in flat resistance, on the other end, it gives the least traction. The jel I'm familiar with is a product called "Slime" and depending on the tire size, may take a few gallons to give adequate protection. The down side to this you cannot ballast your tires with water. Skid Steer tires are getting very popular on tractor/hoes because of how tough they are. The typical rim daimeter is 16.5

 

[patton]

I am told it takes a sawsall and a wire brush. The tire shop said they would do it for free if I were buying new tires and having them foam filled.

Remember, foam filled tires don't need to be replaced unless they are worn out or have massive damage. Nails holes don't bother them and large objects are much less likely to puncture the casing when it is being backed up with a almost solid material.

pat