Slow Leak in Front Tire

RichNJ · Nov 16, 2001

My L4310 has a slow leak in the right front tire. Not too bad. Needs refilling about every 6 weeks. This was not a problem during the summer as it was easy to refill as I drove past the garage air compressor. But now in the winter the tractor is in the barn. No compressor up there. If this were a car tire I would just take the tire to the local garage and for a few bucks have it fixed.
So, what do I do with a tractor tire? Take it to an auto garage? Take it to the Kubota dealer? Put some fix-a-flat in it?
I checked the valve and that's not the problem. Also can't find anything sticking into the tire.

art · Nov 16, 2001

The tire on your tractor is the same as on your car. They both can have a bead leak. You could try the fix-a-flat or end the problem and just put in a tube.

Anonymous Poster · Nov 16, 2001

I have had great results with the green slime product called "Slime". I even think their web site is www.slime.com, but I'm not sure. It's sold at most farm/auto/hardware/mass discount stores I've noticed.

-Don M

TxBilly · Nov 16, 2001

I use Amerseal in my tractor tires and also in my Pug CATV. Works good so far /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Bill

JJT · Nov 16, 2001

I'm with Don on this one, Slime is the way to go. I spend a lot of time on construction site, (and seem to pick up nails...), and have not been happy with fix a flat. Switched to Slime and have been very satisfied.

Larry_in_Ohio · Nov 17, 2001

We took our front tire to the local tire dealership to fix. They found several huge thorns in the tire (from our hedgeapple trees) and put a tube in it.

gerard · Nov 17, 2001

I'd use the slime. You can get in in bulk (5gal) from Gemplers and they make different types. They make a military grade that is supposed to be good for a 3/8 inch hole! (Also about $350 for 5 gal) I bought the basic stuff and did all 4 tires of my tractor, my garden tractor and wheel barrows. Haven't had a leak yet. (I don't like tubes if you can get away without them. A lot easier to plug a hole on a tubless tire than one with a tube. Don't have to remove the tire or break down the bead.)

Westbilly · Nov 17, 2001

I know some tire places will not work on a tire after fix a flat. it can be a safety issue due to flammability and you can't balance a tire with a solid gob on one side, etc. Does this "slime" do tires the same way? Are their safety issues?

2410 FEL LA352

mr_fixit · Nov 17, 2001

mix some dish washing detergent in a spray bottle,and find the leak and have it fixed the right way. the front tire is a 16" i think and any tire shop should be able to fix it if you tell them what you need...

Bird · Nov 17, 2001

I'm not likely to disagree with Art on much, cause I'm sure he knows more about tractors than I, but I wonder whether he wasn't thinking of one of the various "stop leak" products instead of the "fix-a-flat". The fix-a-flat stuff I'm familiar with uses propane as a propellant to both push the sealant into the tire and to inflate the tire. No tire man wants to mess with one because a spark can cause an explosion, so I wouldn't use that stuff at all. However, the slime, Amerseal (which is what I use), as well as several other brands of "stop leak" usually work pretty well. Of course, they're a little more trouble to get into the tire but usually come with some instructions and don't take too awfully long to do. Of course if you have the right equipment, it's very quick and easy.