Tires Tire sealant - with tubes?

[72chevyblazer]

We just bought a MX5100 that will be used in a part of Texas that has lots of Mesquite and various types of cactus that we know make it quite difficult to keep the air INSIDE the tires where it belongs. It appears that the front tires are tubeless and the rears have tubes. They are R1 ag tires. Has anyone had sucess using slime or one of the other tire sealants (I saw some from Berryman at tsc) in these conditions? Do I need to remove the tubes from the rear before adding sealant? We have a gator that we slimed the tires and haven't had any issues even though the tires are full of thorns. I have read the comments about the mess that slime makes and the risk of corrosion to the rims with some sealants. Any suggestions?

 

[BeezFun]

I consider tubes useful to prevent slow leaks like around rims, but probably not useful if you anticipate lots of punctures. I'd leave the tubes in the rear and if you get a flat use a plug just like there's no tube. If you ever have to dismount the tire you can remove the tube but it won't hurt anything in there. Get yourself a plug kit before you need it, flats always happen on holidays 15 minutes after the stores all close. And buy an extra can of the cement so you have plenty, those little tubes they give you always dry out so there's nothing but a little booger looking thing in there when you open it. I've used slime in bike tires with tubes, it's a mess but it helps if you have a puncture. Also likely to ruin your tire guage unless you move the valve to 12oclock position and clear the air with your finger before checking with guage.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I consider tubes useful to prevent slow leaks like around rims, but probably not useful if you anticipate lots of punctures. I'd leave the tubes in the rear and if you get a flat use a plug just like there's no tube. If you ever have to dismount the tire you can remove the tube but it won't hurt anything in there. Get yourself a plug kit before you need it, flats always happen on holidays 15 minutes after the stores all close. And buy an extra can of the cement so you have plenty, those little tubes they give you always dry out so there's nothing but a little booger looking thing in there when you open it. I've used slime in bike tires with tubes, it's a mess but it helps if you have a puncture. Also likely to ruin your tire guage unless you move the valve to 12oclock position and clear the air with your finger before checking with guage.

I bought a tire repair kit a couple of years ago from Advance Auto. It has the plugs and a tool that reams the hole out and then put a sticky plug on the tool, shove it in the hole all the way thru then pull it back out part way, cut the end off and keep on driving. No glue in a can, only whats on the plug and it is sticky. Used mine a couple of times and plugs still holding. It's a definite recommend for those tire punctures. Check FatWallet.com for Advance Auto and you'll find discounts all the time that make their prices a bit more reasonable and some times even real bargains.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Are the rear tires tubeless and someone has just installed tubes? You can convert tubeless to tube but not the other way around. If they are tubeless and someone put tubes in them, there must have been a reason, like they wouldnt hold air for instance.
I think if I had lots of cactus and thorns, I would get all the tires foam filled. Then the tires would be good till tread wore out. I have heard that they are a bear to get off when needing to replace them though. Might be good if you can leave the tubes in the rear if that is possible with foam filling.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Amazing new tires.........................


Michelin Tires... Absolutely SCARY looking...


Look for 'em in August.


These tires are made in South Carolina, USA.


SEE THROUGH TIRES


Radical new tire design by Michelin.


The next generation of tires.


They had a pair at the Philadelphia car show.

Had just left this forum and picked up my email and this was in it. This may be our answer to the thorny tire problem.:thumbsup::laughing::thumbsup:

 

[72chevyblazer]

Are the rear tires tubeless and someone has just installed tubes? You can convert tubeless to tube but not the other way around. If they are tubeless and someone put tubes in them, there must have been a reason, like they wouldnt hold air for instance.
I think if I had lots of cactus and thorns, I would get all the tires foam filled. Then the tires would be good till tread wore out. I have heard that they are a bear to get off when needing to replace them though. Might be good if you can leave the tubes in the rear if that is possible with foam filling.

The tractor is new and came from the dealer this way. The tire are from Titan and they do indicate that tubes are required. When I asked the dealer about sealant he said I would need to take the tubes out before I put sealant in. The seems odd if the tires need tubes.
He also mentioned foam filling before the deal was done but said they didn't recommend it because of the weight. I don't know how much heavier that would be than filling the tires with rim guard. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[72chevyblazer]

I consider tubes useful to prevent slow leaks like around rims, but probably not useful if you anticipate lots of punctures. I'd leave the tubes in the rear and if you get a flat use a plug just like there's no tube.

I'm curious how the valve stem would seal to the rim if I plug the tire? Is the plug going through the tire and tube?

 

[Mac in PA]

I use to work on industrial equipment and some of the units were used in foundries. This has got to be the worst environment for any type of equipment. Not only does the sand cause excessive wear but the small sharp pieces of metal everywhere destroy pneumatic tires.

We would have the tires foam filled for these applications. This makes them a little heavier but they never go flat again.

Removing a foam filled tire after the tread wears down can be a challenge if it's not on a split rim. That's when a Sawzall comes in handy.

Off hand I don't know how much weight the foam adds. If you're considering foam then I suggest calling a tire dealer to find out the difference in weight.


Mac

 

[jonyyuma]

You can have the tire filled with solid foam at the forklift repair shops...There is a slime formula for tubed-tires available too, in gallon containers..

 

[bulldog69]

I wouldn't advise foam. It will ride like a brick and the weight is hard on axles and seals. When you get ready to change tires get ready for fun. We ended up just throwing our skid steer wheels in the junk pile and buying new. It was cheaper to buy new wheels than what the tire store charged in labor to remove the foam.

I use slime in both type tires and it works great. It may take a gallon or two in the rear to keep it covered good. I love the stuff though, it's a life saver to me.