Tires foam filled tires

[the6shooter]

This may seem like a stupid question to some, but not to someone that doesn't know. What is the perpose of foam filling tires ?
I have used calceum cloride in the old tires, and antifreeze for weight, just trying to educate myself on the foam filling tires
thanks

 

[vallyfarm]

No flat tires. Like the ones you get for the wheelbarrow. Ride like regular tires, but no blowouts. Great for corn stubble, etc tha does alot of tire damage. Mike

 

[BTDT]

Here is a link to discussion on foam filled tires.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/77578-exactly-what-foam-foam-filled.html

 

[Glowplug]

Foam filled tires add ballast, are almost indestructible, but are expen$ive!

 

[kwolfe]

As the others have said, foam filled tires are heavy and flat proof. However the drawbacks are that the process is expensive and I have also read that the ride is not as smooth. I have also read that over the long haul, the stiff tire may lead to more bearing wear on the hubs, etc.

 

[Taiser]

Price alone is a shocker, I don't think it's worth it for average residential use, but some guys might find it worth while. The money spent gets a lot of attachments, or even an upgrade in machine depending how much you want to spend.

 

[Hangfire]

Most people I know with foam filled tires are doing heavy ag work. Great for preventing flats. The ride is a little stiffer. In rocky areas or with a lot of heavy stobs (small trees etc.), can sometimes cause tire to tear up a little prematurely.

 

[chrisjbell]

Honest, I can't tell the difference in the "ride" with my foam filled tires. On the other hand, tractors don't have much in the way of a soft suspension.

 

[uwintoday]

Most people I know with foam filled tires are doing heavy ag work. Great for preventing flats. The ride is a little stiffer. In rocky areas or with a lot of heavy stobs (small trees etc.), can sometimes cause tire to tear up a little prematurely.

Where can I get my mower tires foam filled?
Branson area

 

[Short Game]

My first tractor had them when I got it. I loved the peace of mind. I want to know more than that they are expensive. How expensive?

Yes, I do believe they are harder on front wheel bearings. I've popped the cages off a couple of them.

 

[brokenot]

We have quite a few pieces of rental equipment that have foam-filled tires. The biggest draw for us is the lack of downtime on jobsites because reach forklifts boomlifts are constantly being used in situations where punctures are an issue.

I can see not noticing that much of a difference in the ride on a tractor due to suspension seats, but if you tried 'em on something with the seat solidly bolted to the machine....it's night and day. Foamed tires are twice as rough a ride...at least.

Traction isn't as good either...the tires don't flex and give as much. And the colder the ambient temp...the worse it gets.

Some of these "drawbacks" may be less of a factor in a tractor situation because the foam fill is available in different durometers. Our reach forklifts and aerial boomlifts are spec'd to use a stiffer durometer of fill because of the widely varying loads they have to carry while maintaining stability.