Foam tires or replace?

[Phredee]

One of the front tires (Ag tires) on my BX23 got a thorn thru the sidewall for a slow leak. I am now faced with a decision. The tire dealer suggested a tube, but I don't like the idea because if I get a thorn thru the tread area I can plug it in the field, but not with a tube installed, so that option is out. I was shopping for a replacement tire when I found where some people were filling them with foam for a "no leak" fix. I'm not familiar with foam and wondered about the downsides and if it would work OK with the heavy loads of a full bucket? I can see where it would be heavier and a stiffer ride, but is that so bad?

Help please.

 

[AStanton]

I was told by someone in the Kubota service department, that foamed front tires make your frontend prone to wear. Changing a front tire is one thing; changing a loaded rear tire is a whole other animal.

 

[dex3361]

Is the hole to large to plug? Another option is to have a boot plug placed on the inside. Like this type boot Plug

 

[Deano]

Put slime in my front tire years ago and never looked back!:thumbsup:

 

[Phredee]

It is a small hole in the sidewall that is leaking, so plugging is not really an option. The tire already has two plugged holes in the tread area. The slime idea also crossed my mind, but I have not had good luck with it in the past. I guess something I didn't ask was recommendations on where to buy a 18X8.5-8 tire.

 

[SanDucerro]

My L3130 lives on a thorn infested farm - we have Huisache trees which produce some of the most evil looking thorns you have ever seen. When I bought the tractor 10 years ago I had Slime put in the R4 tires. If I recall correctly, the dealer put 35 lbs in each rear and 15 in each front. I have never had a flat and I've never even added air. Not sure why your experience with Slime was different, but I'd swear by the stuff. In my book it's awesome!

 

[Phredee]

Thanks, Maybe I'll try it again. I know I didn't put that much in and it was years ago. My biggest problem is Honey Locust.

 

[tomf]

My fronts would leak slowly from the tread area so I put a plug in the where I identified the leak. Then I noticed that there multiple slow leaks. I didn't want to have fronts with numerous plugs so I put Slime in them. Much to my amazement I've never had a problem since. This was probably 10 years ago.

 

[SSdoxie]

Luckily I haven't had issues with the tractor tires, but lawn mower tires were a constant pain for a few years. I tried slime, following the recomendations on the label, with poor results. Finally got tired of it and filled every tire with as much slime as I could pump into them then added a little air to correct pressure and no problems for 3 years now.
Foam will harden to a solid mass and is much heavier than slime or similar product. The foam will not allow the tire to flex, plus with the added weight it will wear tread much faster, then when tires is worn out you have to replace tire and wheel. That extra weight and no give in the tire will add to wear on front axle components.

 

[RaydaKub]

Thanks, Maybe I'll try it again. I know I didn't put that much in and it was years ago. My biggest problem is Honey Locust.

Holy crap! That's just evil! The only thing fit for a tree like that is a chainsaw, and the sooner the better!

Welcome aboard, Phredee!

 

[Phredee]

Holy crap! That's just evil! The only thing fit for a tree like that is a chainsaw, and the sooner the better!

Welcome aboard, Phredee!

Thanks, I was here before but something happened to my previous account so I get to start again.

The tire dealer could not find a 18X8.50-8 replacement but did find an 9.50 width. Meaning I would have to buy two at $64 each IF they cleared on my BX23. I stopped at the store and picked up a bottle of Slime to try for $8. I wonder how important it is to run the tire after putting it in? I may wait until spring or someday when I know I'm going to be using it to put it in.

Honey Locust can be tricky even to cut down those thorns are strong and seem to catch on everything coming down. This picture is not an exaggeration. Everyone around here learns at a young age to give a wide gap around them, including the deer!

 

[ultrarunner]

I had my BX23 rears foam filled and very pleased.

Wanted to do the front and both the Dealer and Tire Shop cautioned me.

I did pick-up a spare set from whole goods... tire on rim, was very reasonable in price.

Dealer thought the price was a mistake at the time and called to verify it was correct.

The tire shop had three densities of foam... if I had on going problems I might try it with the softer one?

I've put tubes in a lot of tires and good results... at least in the past.

Seems it is really difficult to get a good quality tube anymore...

 

[Shett]

I feel your pain, around here we have a ton of mesquite trees which produce some pretty significant thorns as well. I tried to avoid them on my riding mower but it was only a matter of time before I got flats. I ended up sliming all 4 tires and haven't had a flat since. What's funny is since I slimed the tires I've taken my mower into the more rugged areas of my yard and came out with branches still stuck to the tires, yet no flats.

 

[jerrybob]

You sure you have ag. tires? There are lots of turf tires available in that size and most BX23's came with turf tires didn't they? If you have ag.tires......did you check with a Kubota dealer? As for foam......very pricey....would probably cost more than a tire.

 

[workinallthetime]

as a general rule you never plug a side wall due to flex and a much weaker part of the tire than the tread. i have seen people attempt to plug side walls and had no luck once a load is applied. I have also had mixed results with the slime product but due to my own fault. Once i read the bottle and bought the right amount for the size tire i was dealing with, and followed the directions to the letter i never had another flat. I now have Slime in the rear tires of my ZD326, and all the tires on a jd455 (shh dont tell anyone i have a green one in my barn). My b3030 still just has good ole air in the tires, something i advise everyone to check from time to time due to temp variations. I was inches from going rubber side up in the creek when i rolled a tire off the rim on a rock, had it not been for the BH im sure i would have went over, very bad situation. The air level was fine for flat ground but the combination of the slope, sand, and a rock about ruined my day.

 

[stuckmotor]

Tubes with liners between them and the tires used to do be a big improvement over just plain tubes.

 

[raptor749]

Foam filled both front tires on my B-7800 this summer due to a constant slow leak. The tires don't flex as much foam filled as they would with air. I did both because of the weight, to keep them the same. The tire tread does wear a little more on cement & or pavement. And when you replace the tires the old ones will have to be cut off . I had to replace the orignal tires with 85 % tread left. I paid $ 96.50 per tire to foam fill ( 23x8.50x14''). New tires were $ 98.00 a peice. Either way it would cost $ 200.00 , at least this way i'll get to wear the tires out , and not have any more flats. Whats funny is i purchased a used rim 6 months earlier and used an old tire for a spare and it would also go flat on a regular basis. Good luck on your choice .

 

[bigbull338]

here about 3 months ago we bought 12 gal of tire sealant at $30 a gal an put in all the tires on 2 4wd drive tractors.an then put 1 in thorns so thick you couldnt drive without getting thorns shredding.an have yet to have a flat on either tractor.

 

[Phredee]

You sure you have ag. tires? There are lots of turf tires available in that size and most BX23's came with turf tires didn't they? If you have ag.tires......did you check with a Kubota dealer? As for foam......very pricey....would probably cost more than a tire.

Yes Ag tires as was delivered new.

 

[jerrybob]

Yes Ag tires as was delivered new.

So does your dealer sell ag. tires???