Foam Tire Fill Price?

bigfrog · Mar 27, 2006

I have about 40 acres of ground that has a large quantity of woody (1/2" to 1-1/2" diameter) growth in addition to grasses. Each year it has to be mowed only once for program compliance (CRP), and the result is a field of spear tips. Have a Kubota L4400 that I just can't seem to keep air (or liquid) in the tires for all these sharp stems left in my fields. Talked to my dealer and he recommended foam filling the tires. A local tire company can do this and they quoted me the seemingly reasonable price of $1.45 per pound. However, for the 14.9 X 24's on the back this results in 570 lbs of fill and $826 each. For the 8.3 X 16's on the front, this is 127 lbs and $184.15 each. Grand total is $2021.30. I have a couple questions that I hope those on this board with more experience and knowledge than I have can help with. First, does this seem like a reasonable price, and secondly, will the added 1,394 pounds be excessive for this tractor. I have researched the other posts on this subject, and while there is some disagreement on the best method for dealing with frequent punctures, I did not see any recent price information on foam filling. Thanks so much for any insight anyone can offer!

rockyridgefarm · Mar 27, 2006

Just a tought, but can you alter the mowing so as NOT to produce all those spears?

Henro · Mar 27, 2006

I think when I got my tires filled (fronts only) a couple years ago, here in Western PA, the cost was just a shade over $1 per pound.

I don't know what it is today, but it did not change much in the year between when I got the first set filled and the second set filled. I don't remember the tire size or weight put in.

I would not want to spend that kind of money on tires that were worn, by the way. How are your tires? Putting those dollars into a tire would only work for me if the tires were like new.

You might be able to contact the manufacuter of the foam and find the names of seveal dealers in your area, and get quotes for each of them and see what shakes out.

Not sure if this post offers much help... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

MarkV · Mar 28, 2006

A friend had a set of Bob Cat tires foamed recently and it was $1000. I’ve never used a tractor with foam filled tires but there have been some comments about ride harshness with foam in the tires. Also hear of concerns about the added stress to front axle components if the front tires are filled or foamed. Several here on the forum including Henro have filled the fronts without problem so that may be more of a theoretical concern.

MarkV

bigfrog · Mar 28, 2006

Thanks for the suggestions and additional information so far. With respect to altering mowing to reduce the "spears", I am limited because of the CRP management plan. Part of the rules include mowing no more than once per year. They allow spot mowing for cause, but I think that it would take a few years of frequent mowing over almost the whole area to eliminate the woody vegetation using that method. I've been told that chemicals might be the most effective and quickest for eliminating the problem long term (the primary woody plant is sumac), but they spread by root and so I think any elimination will be a multi-year process since a total kill is unlikely in any given season. Regarding the tire age, they are brand new...about 40 hours. I was hoping someone could confirm this was a reasonable price that I had been quoted. Also, I appreciate any other input regarding this. Thanks!

curt1 · Mar 30, 2006

A few weeks ago I was quoted $925 (include's tax) to fill my L3130 12.4 X 24 rear tire's. Tire dealer said he would fill tire's with the softer foam so the ride would be a little better. He also said they would weigh about 400 lbs. each, if I remember correctly.

Curt

npaden · Mar 30, 2006

One thing that I've been told is that if you use dull blades on your mower that it won't cut the small trees as cleanly (it is more like exploding them with a sledge hammer) and it won't leave the spear type stumps to puncture your tires.

bigfrog · Mar 30, 2006

That is an interesting idea. I was just explaining to a guy as I was loading up the Kubota to take to the dealer that it seemed like my problem had really become worse this year. This year I was using a new tractor with a new rotary cutter, and my old 1950ish Ford 801 Powermaster with its old cutter that I had been using for years on some very old tires had not had as many flats as this one. In my mind I was thinking maybe my woody vegetation was just getting worse. Now I am wondering...? Thanks for the observation!

KiotiJohn · Mar 30, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( One thing that I've been told is that if you use dull blades on your mower that it won't cut the small trees as cleanly (it is more like exploding them with a sledge hammer) and it won't leave the spear type stumps to puncture your tires. )</font>
I'm not sure the result is worth it though as dull blades add a lot of stress to the gear box and can leave a pasture looking pretty ragged.
John

stevenf · Mar 30, 2006

big frog, I had my tires filled on my M9000 from day one so I may not have the best view of whether it hurts the ride or not because I don't know any better but it rides like a tractor without shock absorbers, I take it on the road 16 miles one way without a problem the tires do flex a bit but not as much as if they were air filled I'm sure but to date I've never had one flat or had to worry about running over anything in my way so the trade off is worth it for me. I had mine filled around November of 2005 they are 12.4-24R1 fronts and 18.4-30R1 rears and it cost $2900 to fill all 4 November of 2004. The tires are as big as me so changing one or fixing a flat by myself seemed impossible to do and to have a mobile tire company come out to fix them is over $200 per trip, I have cedar trees that have been sheared off at the ground all over the ranch besides other tire eating blockades for air filled tires so it wasn't a hard decision for me and I'm sure they have payed for themselves many times over. The peace of mind is nice as well since the tractor is used all over the ranch and the last thing I need is to have to park it miles from the house and walk home and lose an entire day waiting for a tire company to get here.
Steve