Oh no!!! Flat tire already!!!

Glowplug · Feb 9, 2007

chrisjbell said:
Windshield washer fluid works well, too. And I think I read that you have tubes in your tires so you shouldn't need to worry about the fluid rusting out your rims.

You are correct. Thanks for the info on foam. I may have to consider it.

Z-Michigan · Feb 9, 2007

Glowplug said:
Actually my tires aren't filled with CaCl. They're filled with Windshield washer fluid rated to -20F. That's what my dealer fills all the tires with. I guess it makes sense too; it stays liquid down to -20F and would be noncorrosive. The only reason I mentioned CaCl is because that's what's in the owner's manual with those specifications.

That makes more sense. I think the solution is a mixture of methanol and water. Thing is now you have 400lbs of methanol/water mix percolating into your groundwater. Hope you don't park your tractor next to your wellhead!

I think this is why "Rimguard" has become the dominant choice here - it is supposedly nontoxic and noncorrosive with all the same benefits of being freeze resistant. No, I don't sell this stuff and I don't get a commission from them! As far as I can tell the cost is about the same, but availability depends on what's popular in your area. Around here all the dealers either have, or refer you to someone who has, rimguard.

After reading all this I'm rethinking that wheel weights or a ballast box might be the way I go...

Lynkage · Feb 9, 2007

I just called my friend who works at a tire dist. company. He is checking to see how much it will cost to fill my 17.5 24 r4's. He also said it would weigh the same or more with foam as it did with another liquid.!

kwolfe · Feb 9, 2007

I have read on previous posts that foam, depending on mixture, can be one of the heaviest options for filling tires. The only drawback that I read is that it can take some of the shock obsorbtion qualities that having some air in the tire provides. The thought was that this could be harder on the wheel bearings when the tractor is bouncing around. Hope that helps.

RobJ · Feb 9, 2007

Glowplug said:
At first I thought maybe the fluid had frozen in there. But he uses windshield washer fluid that stays liquid down to -20F. Probably even lower under pressure.

Do you know this to be a fact? I know the pressure in a radiator keeps the boiling temp down (by keeping the molecules fast motion in check somewhat...I think), but didn't know the reverse is true about low temps and pressure.

RobJ · Feb 9, 2007

kwolfe said:
I have read on previous posts that foam, depending on mixture, can be one of the heaviest options for filling tires. The only drawback that I read is that it can take some of the shock obsorbtion qualities that having some air in the tire provides. The thought was that this could be harder on the wheel bearings when the tractor is bouncing around. Hope that helps.

I friend foam filled his ATV tires, about 80-100 bucks a tire if I recall. He said it does make them heavy and the ride is not that great. Slows down the atv to. But you can run over all the honey locust and junk you want to.

With what we do with out tractors we might be just asking for flats. I know my grandfather and uncles had tractors that spent all their time in the cotton, corn, and bean fields and didn't get a flat for 20 years or more.

Glowplug · Feb 9, 2007

RobJ said:
Do you know this to be a fact? I know the pressure in a radiator keeps the boiling temp down (by keeping the molecules fast motion in check somewhat...I think), but didn't know the reverse is true about low temps and pressure.

As vapor pressure increases melting point decreases. But in just a couple atmospheres pressure it's probably a completely negligible difference.

Lynkage · Feb 9, 2007

I just got pricing for my tires. Normal price is $980.00 per tire but my friend can get them done for $720.00 per tire. I do not think this is that bad of a price knowing I will not get a flat again.

Taiser · Feb 9, 2007

$980.00 per tire!!??!!??

WTH?? Is this the same foam they use to insulate the tank on the space shuttle?????

I can think of a lot of options I can get for that kinda cash!

I'll take my chances with the nails!

Lynkage · Feb 9, 2007

I think of it like this. A new tire will run about $500 and after adding the "SUPER SECRET TRACTOR TIRE FOAM" you will not have problems until your tire wears out.

Or maybe I am just crazy

Glowplug · Feb 9, 2007

It sounds appealing. You get a virtually indestructible tire with extremely good ballast weight.

But I don't know if it's worth it at that price. My tires are 16.9-30. You're probably talking about at least$1100 per tire!

$2200 would buy one serious implement. Also, you don't necessarily have to replace the tire when you get a flat. Like I said, the total cost to me was $73 for tube replacement and labor. If I were using a wheeled TLB on a contruction site with nails, metal, and all sorts of dangerous sharp debris I could see it. But on a tractor mostly in the field, I doubt it. You'd have to be really prone to flats for it to be worth it. Still, if I could find someone to do it, and do it right, for a few hundred dollars I would have it done.

Lynkage · Feb 9, 2007

You could probably get the tires retreaded when they get low on tread. This my be a way to make this a good way to go.

chrisjbell · Feb 9, 2007

Taiser said:
$980.00 per tire!!??!!??

Yup, it is expensive. I shyed away from the foam on my first set of tires, but after dealing with flats for a few years the price started to sound more reasonable. Bear in mind that foam is priced by the pound - my little tires were filled for something like $75 each. I think I paid $400 for new tires, foam filled.

It was enough $$$ that I didn't want to fill up worn down tires, so I dealt with a few more flats until the tread was gone enough that I could justify new tires. Foam filled.

pdowling1 · Feb 10, 2007

You will never be able to retread foam filled tires, just not an option.

CharlieKtractor · Feb 10, 2007

Glowplug, apr. '05 my tires were foam filled w/superflex
7X16 front ag.-- $104.50 ea.
12.4X24 rear ag. $360.00 ea.
535 lbs. were added to each rear tire. don't recall how much weight was added to the front tires. cost is by the lb. so ya can go figure.
Pat Payne Distributors
Brooks, Ky.40109
502 955 6225 fax 502 955 6776
if ye do this, don't ever plan on having another flat or even consider
rolling the tire off the rim with a load in the loader!
your tires will cost more cause they are bigger.
mind ya this is with a senior citizen discount!!!!!! $15.00 woopidy-doo!!!
also you might be surprized how long ag tires will last on a tractor.
yeah wifey thought it was a little steep but I don't fool with flats any more.
haven't had any problems-----yet. 950 hrs. L3130GST 723 loader woods 7500
this place is about 1/2 mi. from the CSX train derailment 2 wks. ago in Brooks

Glowplug · Feb 10, 2007

CharlieKTractor, Thanks!!! Now that's a "reasonable" price to pay. I'll have to look into it. I think Brooks is a good bit west of me. If it's too far I may be able to find someone closer who could do it as well.

P.S. I just looked it up on Mapquest. Brooks is just outside of Louisville, immediately south. That is not impossible for me to get there. I'll have to think about it.

waxahachie · Aug 27, 2007

Unless your back is made of steel, DON'T get the tires filled with foam.
They take all the give out. You can use SLIME or BERRYMAN and forget
about flats. Also foam is crazy in price and adds lots of weight which can
sometimes be good, and sometimes a problem.

Taiser · Aug 27, 2007

Holy thread resurections Batman!!!

Welcome to the forum!

I disagree, sure it's stiffer, but how much give does my tractor have anyways with no suspension? I'm not driving down the highway and it's rare for me to even take the thing out of low gear.

I'm foaming the fronts, just cause I've had two flats already and foam don't leak. The next time I have to take the tire off it will be bald! Weight is usually a good thing for my (any) tractor!

MMCSKPD · Aug 27, 2007

I have been struggling with flat tires on my BX-23 for 3 years. A total of 9 flats and 2 replaced rear tires. One of my fronts now needs to be replaced. I'm sick of spending money on repairs/tires but I cannot see spending the $485 on foam that I was quoted today. I priced a complete set of Bar tires AND wheels for the BX today at $350. The Real Issue here (as I see it) is the Terrible Quality of the BX 23 Tires. I've seen thicker rubber on a bicycle! I get flats just driving across the front lawn. Sticks no bigger than a pencil have done me in 3 times. I wish I could find a nice 6 or 8 ply tire to fit a BX-23, but so far all I can find are tires for a QUAD. Any help out there? Does the BX-24 have real tires on it? Can I swap them to the 23? Help!! I'm drowning in Green slim and fix-a-flat!