First tractor flat!

[ronbo3]

Today I experienced my first flat on my Kubota L2800. What a great way to spend the day. First, I let the remaining air out of the tire, put Slime in the flat tire, and discovered that the weight of the tractor had made the tire come loose from the wheel. I never knew I had to JACK the tractor up before putting in the Slime, but now I know!! Now I had to remove the wheel/tire and take it to a tire shop, but they were all closed for the day. Tomorrow I will get it fixed and get my tractor back in service. Still, a bad day on the farm is better than a good day in the city!
One question---is Slime better/worse than other brands of tire sealer? Any other options I should know about?? How do TBN folks stop/prevent flats on tractors??

 

[johnbilt]

Hi

I had troubles with the front tires on my JD990 last winter in the cold. The tire bead would leak which caused the tire to spin on the rim.

I found that putting a generous coat of bead sealer or tire sealer on the bead, inside and out, before airing up fixed the problem. I also made sure the tire pressure was at max inflation for a few days to be sure the seal held.

I jacked up the tractor, deflated the tire, and cleaned the bead good before applying the sealer.

Good Luck

John

 

[chrisjbell]

Slime is supposed to be one of the better flat fixers out there. I've tried a few, with little luck. However, I did hear a story about a guy around here that used Slime to fill a hole caused by a T post (hard to believe, but who knows?).

My tires all have tubes in them, even though they are "tubeless". After puncturing them a few times I wound up putting tubes in and then filled 'em with water to load them up (for stability). No freezing where I am and with the tubes I don't have to worry about rusting.

BTW, if you have to jack up a tire, if it is on the front and you have an FEL that is a pretty handy way to do it. Just don't rely on it to *keep* it off the ground - use jack stands or something along those lines to save you or your axle... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

My "solution" of tubes in the tires has worked pretty well for me. I don't get flats anywhere near as often as I used to and when I do it is a $12 fix to take the wheel to my local tire shop, have them dismount the tire and tube, patch the tube, and put it all back together. Might be worth a try for you...

 

[Glenn9643]

I've only had one tire problem with the MF. One of the rears caught a piece of wire and I plugged it when I pulled the wire out.
We've had so much problem with thorns puncturing the tires on the JD 455 mower that you had to air the tires every time you wanted to use it. I added slime to all 4 tires on it and haven't had a flat or noticeable leak in a year. Don't know about other brands.

 

[PineRidge]

I put Slime in the tires on my last tractor and used it sucessfully for 5 years. When I purchased the TC-40D I decided this time to try Multi-Seal in the tires. We have a lot of thorns on our property and both are good products. I haven't had a flat as a result of thorns in years. It amazes me that I can pull a thorn out of my tire without loss of air.

 

[EastTexFrank]

Ronbo3, I had to laugh. You were just like me the first time I messed with a flat on a tractor. It brought back memories. For me, fixing flats is probably the most thankless job associated with tractoring. Once that tire comes off the bead, it's a booger to get back on. I've seen all kinds of methods used, including starter fluid, but that's a little too scary, even for me.

I usually get about a dozen flats a year at the farm. There are lots of locust trees around here. I put tubes in all the tires. At least that way you can get them aired back up. I just used to remove them and take them in to be patched. I never had much faith in sealants but at the end of last year, after advice on this board, I started adding <font color="green"> Slime </font> when I had a puncture. I haven't had a real problem since. My experience hasn't been over a long period of time but it seems to be working well so far.

So, that would be my advice ... put a tube in it and use the <font color="green"> Slime </font> that's made for tubes.

 

[jackd]

I too used slime this winter (colder temp = seal loss), "wrapped" the tire with a ratchet strap, took out the valve stem, and let the compressor do the rest -- seems to be holding okay. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif (Kept the pressure up in the other tires as well!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

JackD

 

[johnbilt]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( "wrapped" the tire with a ratchet strap, took out the valve stem, and let the compressor do the rest

JackD )</font>

I did the same with a ratchet strap. I had to laugh when I read your post. I forgot that I had improvised some manner to get the bead close enough to seal when I put the air to it. I used to work at a dealership where we has a constrictor strap that was pumped with air to get the tire to seat. I'm glad the ratchet strap did the trick...

Sounds like the tire slime does a good job. Will it seal the bead also ??

John

 

[ronbo3]

I finally got the tire to a tire shop, and what a hoot I had watching these guys put air in it!! I found an allnite tire place in Dallas, and it took 3 guys to get the bead to seal. They were used to working on auto tires, and the big rear tractor tire was a challenge, but they got it done!
I plan on having all my tires filled with <font color="green"> </font> SLIME <font color="black"> </font> when I go in for the 50hr service. For me, ONE flat on my tractor is enough--I don't want any more. Also, it's gonna be death to all the locust trees I can find. Whatever use God has for them, they can grow someplace else!

 

[getut]

My grandfather (an old trucker) showed me an old timers way to get a tire to seal, buts its probably dangerous enough to use only in an emergency. I myself have used it once or twice for ATVs back in the woods.

Note: I am not responsible for the results if anyone tries this and fails.

1) Get the air hose ready and in position near the tire.
2) Spray a small amount of starting fluid on and near the bead making sure that a small amount of mist goes inside the tire.
3) Step back and throw a lit match near that area.
4) After the explosion (hopefully fully contained by the tire), the tire will be sealed but quickly losing its volume. At this time very quickly hit the valve with the air before it has time to bleed off.

If done correctly, you will have a slightly warm well sealed tire (and slightly frayed nerves).

Getut

 

[polecat]

Done it a 100 times easy on the mountains fo wv...cottonfields of alabama...backwoods of maine...in the winter we even sprinkle a little gas on the tire and let it warm up for a few mins..warm tire goes on the rim much better than a rock hard cold one!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif remember i said a little gas!!! and make sure u have a way to put it out too...snow..waster and have a extinguisher nearby ..in case of dire emergency!!!!...here's a ??/ while were at it ..how many of u guys honestly keep an extinguisher in yer trucks???
have also used the boom can many times...for the really stubborn tires...gas the tire..strap it..hit it with the ether after the gas has gone out and then put the boom can to it!!!!
neva had one we couldn't mount!!...in the woods or out on the line!!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[EastTexFrank]

I hate to disagree with you but I've seen it fail. I saw it blow a hole in the tire but it did go back on the rim. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Guess the guy was a little heavy handed with the ether. To be honest, it was a pretty worn out tire on a rental forklift.

As to your question ... I carry a fire extinguisher in both my trucks. I started after I saw a lady's car go up in flames in the Walmart carpark. After seeing that, it seemed like the sensible thing to do.

Ronbo3, after doing some research on locust trees I found out that you can't kill them by mowing them down. It seems that they can spread by sending up shoots from the roots so mowing can actually help them to spread. I've taken to spraying them in the spring and chain sawing them down in the fall after they die. If you mow them, those thorns lay around on the ground for a long time just waiting for you. I'm really hoping that the Slime works and I don't have another year like last year. I think I spent as much time at the tire shop as I did mowing. So far ... so good.

 

[Glenn9643]

"It seems that they can spread by sending up shoots from the roots so mowing can actually help them to spread. I've taken to spraying them in the spring and chain sawing them down in the fall after they die"


It doesn't take but a few weeks for the shoots to have some bad thorns on them either! What are you using to spray them Frank? Roundup? Brush-master? That's probably a better way than trying to dig them out like I've been trying to do.

 

[tracdoc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( One question---is Slime better/worse than other brands of tire sealer? Any other options I should know about?? How do TBN folks stop/prevent flats on tractors?? )</font>

You might want to look into Ultra Seal.
Ultra Seal Tire Sealant

The company and their product line are very highly regarded by several commercial tire manufacturers, especially Goodyear. They have several formulations, all of which reportedly work in tubless and tubed tires. Their "EHD" (extreme heavy duty) product was developed in conjunction with the U.S. military to plug bullet wounds in Humvees, etc., and it reportedly seals up to half inch punctures. I read that the company is still a major (? exclusive) military contractor for tire sealants.

I have not tried Ultra Seal, but I have been looking into various products to try to avoid the problem you recently encountered. Gemplers carries Ultra Seal, and I am planning to go with it for my Power Trac and its pneumatic tire implements.

Good luck.

 

[BamaDave]

Brings to mind a story of my first tractor years ago. I only used it on weekends, so any downtime was a real "down" time. I'd go out there with a portable air tank, 10 cans of fix-a-flat and hope for the best. SHMBO got a lot of laughs at me stomping around the beast, cursing and kicking.

I just got a BX23 and the first week of clearing brush resulted in 2 flats, one gash was too deep and wide for sealer or Slime. My tractor dealer recommended that I consider foam-filling and I'm so glad he did. I took it to a commercial tire dealer who works on tires for airplanes, dumptrucks, big excavation equipment. They foam filled all 4 tires for about $225 total. They're heavier and the ride is no stiffer than before - one of the potential negatives I'd been warned about with foam. It's great to not worry about flats - at all. The extra weight has helped with ballast also. I wish I'd had it 20 years ago!
Dave

 

[polecat]

LOCUST TREES ARE HIGLY PRIZED UP HERE IN MAINE!!!...as they are used by boat builders for keels and the prows for their hardness ...flexibility and their rot resistance!!!send'em all up here and i''find'em a home!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ronbo3]

Sorry Polecat, but I won't be sending you any locust trees, since I went and cut down 7 or 8 of them today. Piled them up and waiting for them to dry so I can burn them to ashes. Good news is I only had 1 to fall on me (OUCH!!). Bad news is that I'm sure I missed a few, but I'll BE BACK!
Thanks to all for the advice on flat tires--TBN is a great resource!