Flat fixers, Slime vs Fix-a-Flat vs others.

[Diggin It]

My two older riders have both had tire troubles in recent years. I've thought about replacing them, but I don't really use either enough to justify $70-80 for each tire when a bit of air would do the trick for a two hour mowing job. They would leak down to flat in about 3 days. I tried Slime a few times and it just wasn't holding any better. For kicks I picked up a can of Fix-a-Flat for $12 or so. There was enough in the one can to do two of the rear tires giving me the most trouble. Neither has leaked down significantly since. One dropped a bit after more than a week, but a quick shot of air brought it back up and it's held for over a month now.

I've got one more smaller (front) that won't hold, so I may try another smaller can of FaF and see what happens.


Have you had experiences with other brands?

 

[WinterDeere]

I'm assuming tubeless? From whence is it leaking? Use soapy water to ID source.

1. If at bead, clean tire bead and wheel. Make sure no rust on wheel. If rust found, wire wheel clean and paint. Use bead sealer to help seal over rough patches, but only after cleaned and painted. If wheel is rough, even bead sealer won't be perfect, but it may get you from the present "3 days to flat", out to somewhere in the several "months to flat" territory.

2. If sidewall of tire, or if there is rust clean thru the wheel, then you're hosed. Just tube the thing. Still be sure to clean and paint the wheel, so the rust doesn't get worse, or chafe thru your new tube.

3. If tread, and from a single nail hole, I just use automotive tire plugs. Kits are under $20, you'll be glad you own one next time your car picks up a screw or nail.

 

[Roadworthy]

My lawn mower flats generally result from running over tack weeds, goat heads, puncture vines, or what ever you choose to call them. There are a LOT of them in this area. I used some off brand tire sealant, installing the recommended amount in each tire. I did this before mowing to be sure the liquid could roll around in the tire a bit. That was ten years ago. I may have to add air every year or two but I've had no more flats.

 

[thepumpguysc]

I got tired of the flat mower tires too.. I bought a couple of inner tubes for a couple of bucks each and haven’t had the air hose out in years..

 

[John0829]

I won't use that stuff for anything, tried it once on the rear tires of a John Deere 318. The tires leaked down but the tread was to good to trash them, the tires still leaked down and when I finally got around to putting tubes (a little over a year later) in the rims were so rusted I was not sure I could save them. I did manage to clean them up but had to make a liner to protect the tubes.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

My two older riders have both had tire troubles in recent years. I've thought about replacing them, but I don't really use either enough to justify $70-80 for each tire when a bit of air would do the trick for a two hour mowing job. They would leak down to flat in about 3 days. I tried Slime a few times and it just wasn't holding any better. For kicks I picked up a can of Fix-a-Flat for $12 or so. There was enough in the one can to do two of the rear tires giving me the most trouble. Neither has leaked down significantly since. One dropped a bit after more than a week, but a quick shot of air brought it back up and it's held for over a month now.

I've got one more smaller (front) that won't hold, so I may try another smaller can of FaF and see what happens.


Have you had experiences with other brands?

I put tubes in all mine. Years later, not even one flat or low tire.

 

[setxjeff]

I usually put tubes in. But a another way is this

https://www.amazon.com/Plugger-Repair-Mushroom-Tubeless-Motorcycle/dp/B09YCLW6ZX/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Mushroom+Tire+Plug+Kit&qid=1665626579&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI0LjY2IiwicXNhIjoiNC40MSIsInFzcCI6IjQuMTYifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-6

I bought it to carry on my motorcycle for trips, but it works great for lawn mower tires it will sometimes even seal a side wall on a mower tire if it’s a round puncture and not a tear.

 

[WinterDeere]

That mushroom plugger is interesting, you got me curious. But as long as nearly every tire shop and mechanic on earth keep using the regular tire plug kits you can buy nearly anywhere for $19.99, I'm not inclined to switch away from what works. Never have had one leak, despite breaking all the rules with regard to proximity to tread shoulder and even plugging thin/bald tread.

 

[setxjeff]

The plugger works without taking tire off the rim, especially useful for liquid filled tires. It’s a quick and sometimes permanent fix. If not permanent it will slow the leak down considerably giving you enough time to get back to the barn.

 

[WinterDeere]

The plugger works without taking tire off the rim, especially useful for liquid filled tires. It’s a quick and sometimes permanent fix. If not permanent it will slow the leak down considerably giving you enough time to get back to the barn.

Interesting. I've not tried regular automotive tire plugs in liquid-filled tires. Do they not hold up well in that application?

I have beat juice in the rears of my 3033R, and haven't needed to plug one yet, but that could always change.