Flat tire fix

[Oldpath05]

Well that's pretty good no flat tires in six plus years, so I might as well start an up to date flat tire thread. I've had around six flats in ten years, so this time after I hit something in a stump hole with front tire after getting a 4" stump out, I decided to try to fix it after taking it apart and see the patch that was put in last fall. They put in a 1"x 2" patch on a 1" cut, (the result of working around sharp rocks), anyhow I didn't think that size patch was sufficient.

The fix I did was first use my drill with a 4" coarse buffing wheel, 3" would've been better, then put some rubber gasket compound in cut, then double layer some Pro Flex caulking on outside of tire and let it sit above heat for 4 days, that stuff is still spongy after 6 days. I dont know if there's such a thing as tire glue or not but giving that stuff a go instead of relying on just a patch.

Now for the patch, I rebuffed lightly one more time, vacuumed. Then put Steelman glue on and let dry about 5 minutes, that glue drys fast. Then put a 3"x5"- 2-ply tire patch and roll the patch on according to instructions for a few minutes. That patch glue worked like a magnet, it immediately sucked the patch right on, dont make since to me to let glue dry first but thats what it said to do. I was going to use the Slime brand glue because it was a lot cheaper but online I couldn't tell if it was flammable or not, I clicked on Steelman glue and right up front on the label it said "Warning Extremely Flammable" even though it was 3 times more something inside me said Buy That One!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BrokenTrack]

I had some bald front tires for awhile, and I was getting flats a lot. It got to the point where I could change the tire out, put on a patch and be running again in about half an hour. It was getting ridiculous, so I finally bought two front tires.

Now it is time for new rear tires.

I got a slow leak now on a rear tire now, so I just blow it up when I need my tractor as I do not want to remove the chains until Spring.

My rule of thumb is to patch once, then the next time replace the tube. But these tires are bald, so it is time to put new tires on.

 

[Oldpath05]

I had some bald front tires for awhile, and I was getting flats a lot. It got to the point where I could change the tire out, put on a patch and be running again in about half an hour. It was getting ridiculous, so I finally bought two front tires.

Now it is time for new rear tires.

I got a slow leak now on a rear tire now, so I just blow it up when I need my tractor as I do not want to remove the chains until Spring.

My rule of thumb is to patch once, then the next time replace the tube. But these tires are bald, so it is time to put new tires on.

Your tires must not be loaded, and good news spring starts at midnight tonight. I dont want to replace my front tires til the tread is almost gone or atleast two more years, I have enough patches to patch 9 more times because I couldn't no place online to sell just one or two patches, had to buy ten for $20.00.

 

[BrokenTrack]

Your tires must not be loaded

No, it does not make much sense to load tires.

We used to, but it was one of those things where Grandfather did it, so we always thought it was the right thing to do, but it just does not make much sense when you really sit down and think about it. (The Laws of Physics in other words)

I also have a log loader so that make breaking down the tire pretty effortless. By standing the tire up, if I am careful I can grip the tire with my log loader and pinch both sides of the tire. Then pick the tire up a bit and rotate it, and do it again. After awhile you can break down the bead by going around the tire. I still have to pull the bead off the rim, but even then having the loader to help hold down the tire helps.

 

[mrmikey]

Nice repair but saying that.........isn't the patch turned 90 deg the wrong way or am I reading that wrong? Maybe it doesn't make much difference on a slow speed tire............Mike

 

[Peter 315]

Nice repair but saying that.........isn't the patch turned 90 deg the wrong way or am I reading that wrong? Maybe it doesn't make much difference on a slow speed tire............Mike

I don't think if it blows out he will crash , But a car tire at 80mph ouch Your reading it right should be turned 90 deg on a car tire.....

 

[mrmikey]

K...wasn't trying to be an ***** LOL, just wondering if I was reading it right. Never know tho.....may be a racing tractor .............Mike

 

[Oldpath05]

A patch on the wrong way? I dont get it big Dan............. Where in Jimmy Crack Corn does that come from.......... As long as the tire patch isn't upside down what does it matter, the slit was 1" long so I put the patch in same orientation. I mostly went on how this guy did his unfortunate tire puncher.
How To Fix This - Patch A Tire - YouTube

 

[Peter 315]

Look at the picture it shows < bead BEST bead >.....

 

[Oldpath05]

Ok now I see what your talking about. I didn't notice those arrows putting the patch on and I have no idea why those arrows are even there. I think it's another one of those things in my world that just dont make any since, why would anyone want to put a patch on a tire that is not in the same orientation as the cut.

The place that fixed my tire last fall put the patch on the same way, but it was only 1" x 2-1/2", this one is 3"x 5" and is two ply. So if I get two years out of this red neck fix I be satisfied, but if not I can patch it 9 more times the wrong way.

 

[aczlan]

I believe the orientation of the arrows have to do with how the orientation of the strands in the plies of the patch are.
Not a big of a deal for a tractor tire, but important if you're patching a vehicle tire.

Aaron Z

 

[crazyal]

If patching a tire I have switched to these. They are a combination plug and patch. Since going to them I have never had one fail. They cost a little more but are worth it. The ones I use have a thin wire in the plug to make getting it through the hole easy. You then just pull on the wire until the patch is tight against the tire. Afterwards just cut off the plug and wire.

 

[LouNY]

If patching a tire I have switched to these. They are a combination plug and patch. Since going to them I have never had one fail. They cost a little more but are worth it. The ones I use have a thin wire in the plug to make getting it through the hole easy. You then just pull on the wire until the patch is tight against the tire. Afterwards just cut off the plug and wire.

Those are a nice patch, I have plugged a tubeless tire to get by then when I had the time broken it down to install one of those after pulling the plug out which can be fun.
As far as the direction arrows I try to follow them it does require a much larger patch sometimes.
Many of the patches that I use in the tractor or implement tires are actually repair boots, multi ply boots they are expensive untill compared to a new tire.

This is were I get some of my repair products;
Or-853-1 - Flat Pack of 1 - BlackJack Tire Supplies, Inc.

 

[Henro]

No, it does not make much sense to load tires.

We used to, but it was one of those things where Grandfather did it, so we always thought it was the right thing to do, but it just does not make much sense when you really sit down and think about it. (The Laws of Physics in other words)

[snip]

Curious...what planet do your live on Brokentrack?

It is pretty well documented that loaded tires are a great advantage if you need maximum traction or increased side slope stability. Also for counter balancing loader weight...

What laws of physics were you referring to?

 

[LouNY]

Curious...what planet do your live on Brokentrack?

It is pretty well documented that loaded tires are a great advantage if you need maximum traction or increased side slope stability. Also for counter balancing loader weight...

What laws of physics were you referring to?

None of my tires are loaded, very few of the ones on the farm are.
Loading was more popular in farm tractors quite a few years ago when we only had two wheel drive and worked them hard in drawbar situations.
With the advent of more 4wd and faster working speeds much fewer tires are loaded.
If ballast is needed most go with iron.
Flat repair is another reason for less tire loading the cost of tire repairs by mobile units on filled tires has gotten quite high.
It is not uncommon to be quoted over $600 plus materials for repairing a loaded tire.

 

[Oldpath05]

Those are a nice patch, I have plugged a tubeless tire to get by then when I had the time broken it down to install one of those after pulling the plug out which can be fun.
As far as the direction arrows I try to follow them it does require a much larger patch sometimes.
Many of the patches that I use in the tractor or implement tires are actually repair boots, multi ply boots they are expensive untill compared to a new tire.

This is were I get some of my repair products;
Or-853-1 - Flat Pack of 1 - BlackJack Tire Supplies, Inc.

Gee wiz that is a great link and I search all over online, funny how another part of the country will come up with different online contacts. Wish I knew about it before I did my tire wrong, booked marked for next time thanks!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Oldpath05]

If patching a tire I have switched to these. They are a combination plug and patch. Since going to them I have never had one fail. They cost a little more but are worth it. The ones I use have a thin wire in the plug to make getting it through the hole easy. You then just pull on the wire until the patch is tight against the tire. Afterwards just cut off the plug and wire.

I just watched a video on them, great for nail holes but not for side wall cut. How I Patch A Tire - YouTube

 

[BrokenTrack]

None of my tires are loaded, very few of the ones on the farm are.
Loading was more popular in farm tractors quite a few years ago when we only had two wheel drive and worked them hard in drawbar situations.
With the advent of more 4wd and faster working speeds much fewer tires are loaded.
If ballast is needed most go with iron.
Flat repair is another reason for less tire loading the cost of tire repairs by mobile units on filled tires has gotten quite high.
It is not uncommon to be quoted over $600 plus materials for repairing a loaded tire.

Loaded tires will take the gears out of the rear end too if you get high-centered in the mud. All that weight surging forward will strip the gears right off the ring gear...now do not ask me how I know that!

If I am working in the gravel pit, and loading my dump trailer pulled by something else, I will put on a subsoiler or plow, and then put on a 55 gallon drum filled with sand. That will make the old girl dig. Primarily because I can bust the gravel up like a ripper first, and then because the weight is well out past the rear axle...real counterweight.

If I am moving the dump trailer by my tractor, then I cannot do that with all the hooking and unhooking, but going from loaded tires, to air-only tired has not made a difference in digging. But as you said, it is four-wheel drive too.

Loaded tires are a thing of the past.

 

[PILOON]

Well one day I had a flat on the PU and no patches or tools.
I flattened a nail, drilled a hole to insert the 'plug'. OK, tool now.
Then found some poly cord out of an old extension cord, inserted it into my DIY insert tool, dipped it in contact cement and inserted into the tire.
Then cut the excess 'cord' and lit the contact cement.

That was many miles and years ago and still not leaking!
OK, I now have a regulation patch kit and patches, plugs etc.

BUT, last week wanted to patch an inner tube and only to discover that the cement was all evaporated.
Go figure.

 

[BrokenTrack]

We took the kids up to see the Trains in Norther Maine last year, which is a trip that has to be done to be appreciated. How in the world they got that much iron, that far north, near nothing is amazing. The kids really liked it, but we knew we would be on back roads.

To be exact, it was 170 miles of logging roads.

I bought all four new tires in anticipation of that, and sure enough we got a flat on the way back. The Logging Companies Check-Point had a plug kit so we plugged the tire and got home, but it ended up leaking still. I ended up buying another brand new tire: and the "old" one? It was less than 24 hours old before it died.