TO FILL OR NOT TO FILL ???

BRIGUY · Oct 27, 2004

I filled the rear tires on my BX23 and wheelhorse. Wheelhorse 23x9.5-12: 7 gal each, BX 26x12-12: 12 gal each.

The BX owners manual does not recommend filling the front tires, but I was thinking of filling them anyway. Any comments???

Henro · Oct 28, 2004

I can't say if filling front tires is wise or not, but I had my front BX2200 tires foam filled. The foam adds a lot of weight to a front tire, as it is heavier than liquid and the tire is filled 100%.

I'm not sure if liquid would add much weight as the tires are pretty small to begin with, and with liquid you only fill 75%...

I have never regretted filling the front tires on either of my tractors...but it really is hard to gage how much difference it makes. I really did it for puncture protection on the larger tractor...but on the bx I did it for increased stability.

Don't know what a front tire would weigh with liquid in it, but if my memory is not flawed, I think the foam filled fronts came in at 58 lbs each when filled...

bczoom · Oct 28, 2004

( The foam adds a lot of weight to a front tire, as it is heavier than liquid and the tire is filled 100%.)

Henro, Thanks for that info. I thought the foam would be lighter. I was told the foam will also reduce the stress on the front tires when using the FEL. (without it, I can see mine go darn near flat. Can you tell me if it does help when running the FEL?

Henro · Oct 28, 2004

Bczoom,

I think the foam in the fronts makes a difference, but I only have a loader on my B2910 (not on the bx) and foam filled the tires about the second day I had it due to front punctures...

My tires don't go anywhere near flat regardless of how much I work the loader on the larger tractor.

One thing I can say for sure is the time I visited Nixon, back when he was Cerberus, I tried his L3130 and when I picked up the loader the amount of bounce in the front tires startled me. I think because of my being used to the more rigid feel of the foam filled fronts on my tractor...

All in all I like having foam filled front tires and if I ever got a third tractor... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif ... I would foam fill the fronts on that one too... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob_Skurka · Oct 28, 2004

if I ever got a third tractor... 

Seems to me Mrs Henro has been gone for about a month, that would have been plenty of time for another needed tool to follow you home /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Heck, she even left you the opening to get another unit when she put that pin hole in the paneling leaving you the note about fixing the comode. Just based on that, you need something to carry the tools to make that repair. Might I suggest you could easily justify a mid-size Kubota with a FEL to hoist up the tube of wood putty that will be used to fill the pin hole. After all, you wouldn't want to strain your back bending over to pick it up.

chucko · Oct 28, 2004

My dealer told me not to fill the fronts

bczoom · Oct 28, 2004

Henro,

Thanks for the info. It's kind of low on the list of things to get done since 95% of the time, mine works fine without. I probably should get more air in mine though. If I recall, it's not very expensive but they want you to bring the tires to them and they need to keep for a couple days. Does that sound right? Did you use Scander?

chucko - What was the dealer's reasoning for not filling with foam?

LarryG · Oct 28, 2004

How did you find out where to get them foam filled ? There is a company called ARNCO that fills tires with some kind of polymer for flat protection but not around my area. I would like to get my BX tires filled to avoid any flat problems. Also, how much did it cost to get them foam filled? Thanks.

Henro · Oct 28, 2004

Bczoom,

Yes, you need to leave the tires overnight so they are sure to be cured before you use them. And since they don't foam everyday, that can add a day or two delay in getting them back. Scander tire did mine...

LarryG,

I asked my dealer who foam fills tires and he told me where to go...to a local place (more or less). I think the front tires for my BX were about $38 each(a couple months ago), and the fronts for my B2910 were about $47 each(two years ago).

I do remember that foam filling the set of four BX bar tires would have cost about $300 total. I decided to use WW fluid in the rears...not as heavy but sure keeps the pocketbook a bit thicker... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It was hard to part with $300 for foam filling when the set of four tires AND wheels cost $296... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif