Tire Repair Options

CanuckGT · Feb 3, 2012

Cleaned up a pile of garbage,house reno material,etc last fall, lots of nails ,etc.
Thought I made it without a puncture but I see my front right tire has a slow leak now.
So, never repaired a tractor tire before but do have plugs for my quad tires and was wondering if this would be a good way to fix a flat? Or do I have to remove it and take it in to a tire shop to get a patch on it?

VictorW · Feb 3, 2012

The best way is to have it patched. You could use your plugs but they aren't as strong of a repair but may last until the tire wears out.

murphy1244 · Feb 3, 2012

Slime it!!!

MotorSeven · Feb 3, 2012

I plug mine, and there are two in one tire and one in another...zero problems. I have also probably plugged two dozen tires and only had one that would not seal because the hole was too big even after doubling up on plugs. If your tires are filled just make sure you roll the nail to the top before the repair, or fluid will run out making a mess.

Murph have you had luck with slime? It's never worked worth a hoot for me, tried it twice, still got flats so I gave up on the stuff.

rsewill · Feb 3, 2012

Plugs are a temp fix, good for a few months. You can reign but I would patch.

ritcheyvs · Feb 3, 2012

I've had good luck with Slime in little, thin lawn tractor tires. I think the actual punctures were made by multiple perforations from thorns so the holes were pretty small and leaks were slow. But I think a real tractor tire would require a huge amount of slime and that would only work for very small leaks in unfilled tires.

Given the difficulty of patching a tractor tire, I'd be inclined to plug it and patch it later if the plug failed. Particularly so if the tire was filled with liquid. Just my opinion.

DT86 · Feb 3, 2012

If it is only a nail or screw just plug it!

kf4uda · Feb 3, 2012

I would take the tire to a tire shop and have it patched. A properly applied patch has the best chance of being trouble free. The slime may work but if it doesn't, you probably won't be very welcome at the tire shop.

All of this of course is just my opinion.

whistlepig · Feb 3, 2012

You are going to get a zillion replys about Slime. I would take it to a tractor dealer and have it repaired.

ljohnson778 · Feb 3, 2012

Realistically, plugged(if done correctly) is as good as, if not better than "patched at the tire shop".

Harvey9 · Feb 4, 2012

Plug it, I've done dozens and don't recall any leaking, patch if does.

CanuckGT · Feb 4, 2012

Thanks guys! After closer inspection it appears to have a plug in it already (not the same spot) so plug it is!

kiotiken · Feb 9, 2012

CanuckGT said:
Thanks guys! After closer inspection it appears to have a plug in it already (not the same spot) so plug it is!

I put 3 holes in the same front tire in the same week, never punctured a tire before or since, go figure. Plugged each one and haven't had an issue since. Cheap and easy, good choice.

murphy1244 · Feb 9, 2012

kiotiken said:
I put 3 holes in the same front tire in the same week, never punctured a tire before or since, go figure. Plugged each one and haven't had an issue since. Cheap and easy, good choice.

They say "things happen in threes"

Highbeam · Feb 24, 2012

Plugs here. They've been in for years.

I also had a slow leak in a very worn front tire and added slime. The leak stopped. Not sure where the leak was, there are some deep cracks and gouges.