Tire sealant ?

NIXON · Aug 20, 2003

I'm quite sure this question has been pounded to death ,and then some . But, about how much sealant is considered adequate for tractor tires (420-70 24 rear) (10-16.5 front ) I plan on using "Slime" as it's available to me locally .
Thanks , John

chrisjbell · Aug 20, 2003

I hear great things about Slime. My tractor dealer told me that a customer claims it sealed up a hole made by a T post, which seems like a far fetched story, but....

It'll tell you on the container how much you need. If you need conversion help (to figure out volume for your tires) your dealer or a tire person should be able to do that for you - 'fraid I can't /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif...

JohnMiller3 · Aug 20, 2003

( I plan on using "Slime" )

Hi,

Did ya fill out the bank loan papers...? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Slime would be rather pricey in that quantity... you may want to consider foam filled instead...

NIXON · Aug 20, 2003

John . Being new to this , I would have thought tire sealant a "cheap"alternative to Foam . Can You shed some light on this for me ? Thank You ,John

Docsknotinn · Aug 20, 2003

I wouldnt want to be the one to change a tire with either product but I hear the foam can be especially tuff although based on other discussions I have heard it seems a superior product if you are expecting numerous punctures. The slime is pretty reasonable at the TSC here. Dave

Henro · Aug 20, 2003

When I got my tractor last year I immediately got a front flat when clearing some ground that in the old days must have been a bit of a dump for someone.

I got the tire fixed and inquired about foam filling the fronts. On my B2910 Kubota it cost $70 each for the fronts. The rears would have been $247 each...and had I gotten a rear flat I was going to foam the rears too. I thought about it overnight and went back with two front tires the next day and had them foam filled. They had to keep them for a day to make sure they were properly cured.

I drove over a lot of glass...broken bottles and such. No rear punctures so far. Loaded my rear tires later with WW fluid...I guess the thicker rubber on the back [R4 tires] makes a difference.

Slime worked pretty well for me in bicycle tires...now they were tubed tires...but eventually always leaked. Tubless tractor tires seem to be different animals as most reports here are favorable. I guess having that bicycle experience in the back of my mind drove me towards foam filling. A side benefit is the extra ballast of the foam filled tires. They are quite heavy.

But as they say...foam is forever... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Still, I am very happy I went the foam route for the fronts.

Docsknotinn · Aug 21, 2003

I have had the same experience. My main area that I till was a stageing area for a logging operation once upon a time. I keep finding beere bottles, traps all kinds of things that like to puncture the fronts. I also carry a sprare front tire/rim. No problems with the rears and I am glad about that as I REALLY dont want to have to muscle one of those around.

MikeIIA · Aug 21, 2003

The one time I used a tire sealant was on my boat trailer tire a few years ago. I think the brand name was "fix-a-flat".
Left it in the tire for a year and eventually had to take it in to a filling station to replace the valve stem.
You shoulda heard the guy cuss working on the tire. The sealant had corroded the rim and leaked all over his tire changer. I ended up replacing the rim.
I don't think I will be using a tire sealant again.

Hambone · Aug 21, 2003

There is an alternative to fix a flat and slime. This stuff is based with linseed oil and washes right away, unlike slime.
I buy it at United Tire Management in Indpls.
We use it in some large truck tires. I have pulled a screw driver out and it sealed. It has rubber products instead of fibre as the sealer. Here is a link..
http://www.linseal.com/

chrisjbell · Aug 21, 2003

I wouldnt want to be the one to change a tire with either product but I hear the foam can be especially tuff 

The foam sets up so that it is basically a solid. To get the tire off they have to cut them from the rims. But until the tire completely wears out you won't be getting a flat /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif...