Tires BX24 blowout! Don't fill your front tires!

[ACHINBAC]

If you've been following my recent posts you'll know I have filled all four tires (to 75%) and have bumped up the pressure relief to 2000psi. Last weekend while finishing the wood pile for next winter (lot of load way out on the FEL carrier) I noticed a pretty good crush on the front tires. I bumped them both to 24psi vs 22 and helped a bit. On the way back to the garage I noticed a bump on the right front tire - turns out the outside bead had been stretched and was just short of blowing off the rim.

Have finally found the weak link regarding bumping up your pressure - after much time on the web have found no front turf tire available with more than four plys (stock is OTR GRASSMASTER 4 ply 18x8.5x10 rated for 850lbs @10mph).

Local dealer wanted $155 for new tire (without mounting) but was able to order direct from OTR for $37.50 plus shipping on the web . Am going again with stock oem and will keep all posted (am draining the other front). If anyone knows of a beefier turf let me know.

Advice is don't fill your front tires. The relatively small volume of air left in these tiny front tires after filling does not fly with a heavy load on the front end.

Dave

Ps: Yes, Wax, that IS carpet on the carrier .. . .

 

[big bubba]

yes, you're correct. thinking that some extra weight in the front via fluid in the ft. tires would help with FEL work ( on mx5000) I asked a K mechanic about it. although fr. bumper weights are ok on various models, filling ft. tires may void warranty as the 4wd system is not designed for the extra weight in the tires. a point to debate, I guess. but it's a mute point for me as I upgraded for a larger M series. good luck, I'd steer clear of it. bb

 

[LBrown59]

yes, you're correct. thinking that some extra weight in the front via fluid in the ft. tires would help with FEL work ( on mx5000) I asked a K mechanic about it. although fr. bumper weights are ok on various models, filling ft. tires may void warranty as the 4wd system is not designed for the extra weight in the tires. a point to debate, I guess. but it's a mute point for me as I upgraded for a larger M series. good luck, I'd steer clear of it. bb

My BX
manual clearly says don't fill front tires.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Local dealer wanted $155 for new tire (without mounting) but was able to order direct from OTR for $37.50 plus shipping on the web .

Your dealer could have ordered you a tire and rim though wholegoods rather than parts and gotten it for about half that price.

 

[Bedlam]

I think its because you cant compress water .. like air.

 

[KeithInSpace]

My BX
manual clearly says don't fill front tires.

There's also something abot not filling the rear tires or running wheel weights with the BH installed. That hasn't hurt me yet.

Also, it's particular about not having the MMM installed with the BH installed. You've been OK with that, haven't you?

That said, I'm not sure of the benefit of filling the front tires other than a marginal lowering of the COG. Clearly this is a reason to allow more flexibility in the front tires than filling offers...

 

[radioman]

OUCH !! that really has to suck. After upgrades to your machine and now a blowout. What's next ? Honestly, have you noticed any better steering/traction with the front tires filled with liquid ballast ? If you do noticed a difference, perhaps a foam filled fronts would help instead for a stronger tire ?

 

[ACHINBAC]

Radio,
It would have really sucked if I hadn't made it back to the garage. After I filled all the tires I noticed much less bounce over rough ground & didn't notice any difference in the steering. The dealer recommended foam, but I'm afraid it would take all the bounce (cushion) out of the front end resulting in to much shock to the loader and frame. I'll go back to unfilled stock fronts for the time being til I can find a 6 ply tire and keep the rears filled 75%. I may find they are ok without the fluid and might try boosting the psi to 24-5 when carrying something heavy.

Keith I don't use a mmm so can't comment. My backhoe and loader are always on though.

Bedlam, I'm hoping that is what caused the bead to deform.

Messick's, - the local distibutor is a weasel & not Norfolk power who offered a price similar to yours (great company who I originally purchased the BX from) unfortunately they could not get a new tire/wheel assembly in til next week & we need the tractor this weekend.

LBrown, You are a classic. I'm a little old to get spanked. My manual also clearly states the same. I also drilled & welded the piss out of my ROPS. Any thing you'd like to add regarding that?

 

[Bedlam]

LOL Too funny. But is there a concern that the bucket lip could cut the truck tire? LOL

 

[TheFlatlander]

Brown, You are a classic. I'm a little old to get spanked. My manual also clearly states the same. I also drilled & welded the piss out of my ROPS. Any thing you'd like to add regarding that?

That's really funny! Although the manual also says not to, I also removed almost all of the safety decals. They were ugly and depressing.

Just went to garage and compared the turfs and R4's and they are both 4 ply rated. The R4's seem to have a stiffer sidewall and I thought that they were better under load. Both are rated at 22psi full capacity. the manual from Kubota gives two different recommended pressures, with the R4 being higher. From what I can find on line the R1's are also 4ply.
Fronts are as follows:
R1 rated at 820# @ 10 mph
Turf rated at 850# @ 10 MPH

Anybody know the rating for the R4?

Tires are 18x8.50.10nhs

 

[wallace]

Why not just foam fill them?

 

[rdsaustintx]

That's really funny! Although the manual also says not to, I also removed almost all of the safety decals. They were ugly and depressing.

I find them to be useful time savers. Whenever anybody asks how I got a particular dent, I just point to the appropriate sticker.

I AM the little guy waving his arms like an idiot as the load rolls off the back of the FEL.

 

[ACHINBAC]

RD Sauced In Texas,

I am the guy waving his arms like an idiot as my tires blow off their rims (sorry about the name, just had a couple myself)

Wallace: Foam might solve the overload problem but was told it takes most of the "cushion" out of the tire - your thoughts?

Tim: The first night I owned the tractor was spent with the heat gun - found a good use for the decals - see the pics (last pic was looking for decals they might have hidden)

Bedlam: Was more worried about the bucket lip than the duallies as 12,000lbs can really put a tweak on the FEL . . . . and those tires have the steel plys I would like to have on the BX.

Dave

 

[TheFlatlander]

RD Sauced In Texas,

I am the guy waving his arms like an idiot as my tires blow off their rims (sorry about the name, just had a couple myself)

Tim: The first night I owned the tractor was spent with the heat gun - found a good use for the decals - see the pics (last pic was looking for decals they might have hidden)


Dave

Now that's hard core and I respect it! My tractor didn't make it past the first night with out removing all of them decals.

 

[big bubba]

You all really need address a few things....1st why fill the tires in the first place? 2nd, inquire if mechanically the machine can handle the way you are adding weight to the front end. 3rd, are there other options to add weight to solve the original problem? Really, if you have a small (but capable) machine, learn it's limitations and live with it. Or upscale. That's why they have larger models. Why all the hype on this thread if you're trying to achieve something the original equipment was not originally designed for? Yeah, I know, it's all about adaptations and project machines, but why place a subcompact on an application it was not originally intended for? all the best. bb

 

[BXinNH]

Sorry, I know this is off topic but what were you doing in the last pic? Other than hunting for more stickers that is....

Matt.

 

[TheFlatlander]

You all really need address a few things....1st why fill the tires in the first place? 2nd, inquire if mechanically the machine can handle the way you are adding weight to the front end. 3rd, are there other options to add weight to solve the original problem? Really, if you have a small (but capable) machine, learn it's limitations and live with it. Or upscale. That's why they have larger models. Why all the hype on this thread if you're trying to achieve something the original equipment was not originally designed for? Yeah, I know, it's all about adaptations and project machines, but why place a subcompact on an application it was not originally intended for? all the best. bb

I actually think the most important part of this tread is a warning to not fill the front tires. The newer tires have a little less air capacity than the older models as they made the rims a bigger diameter to control side wall flex.

as far as the OP getting the maximum out of your tractor while staying with in spec. > Count me in!

 

[ACHINBAC]

Big B,

If you look at my public profile under hobbies it reads "Fixing Things That Aren't Broken". It's a "Curse?" I inherited from my Dad. It's also I believe, what has made our Nation great. Though as an old schooler feel that last statement may be in jeapordy as I run into more slackers than doers as I get older - won't expand or this post will get stomped.

I looked at the B26 and found it was beyond what I needed on my 2 acre property and for the few outside projects I would be doing with it on my jobsites. The BX is probably the only tractor I'll ever own and will keep all posted as I tweak, and then break one thing or the other.

Takin' one for the team . .

Dave

 

[ACHINBAC]

BXNH,

Remember the first heartbreak you got as a teenager?

I had a factory leak where the driveshaft entered the transmission @ that seal. Had to dismantle the canopy structure along with many goodies previously fabbed prior to sending to the dealer - my problem I know. Sent the tractor along with a brief letter requesting (warning them I was an **** sob) a decent tech to take care of the problem (was warranteed).

The tractor was returned with the fuel tank skewed, front cowling mount struts loose, 3 main frame bolts hand tight, leaking hydraulic fittings under the floor pan, rear transverse beam @ rops mount misaligned, transmision drain plug hand tight, wire harness crushed under the seat mount - won't bore you with the rest, but will attach a couple pics.

I didn't dare send it back. I simply dismantled it and checked every single bolt and alignment - took a long day, but was confident when done I had a "factory" tractor back in possesion. I would have handled the seal replacement myself from the get go, but silly me . . . see my statement in the previous post regarding.

On a more positive note am training the two teens not to add to the pile of poop that seems to be building up around us

Dave

PS: Tim you are correct. That's what we're here for - the rest can slack . .

 

[lawn_king]

I tried to find stronger front turfs when i had a B7500, 4 ply was the strongest tire i could get?