to foam or not to foam?

[wasabi]

in a previous thread on light foam in tires, JJ pointed out the high cost of commercial foam would buy a lot of tires. consensus seems to be foam is great but expensive. that, together with another pair of flat tires, got me thinking about diy foam.

so, assuming we have inner tubes...and appropriate volume calculations...what if one were to get the requisite number of cans of "great stuff" (insulating foam in a can), which come with a short bit of small guage tubing to direct the stream...we replace the short tubing with a longer piece...position tire so valve stem is at top to take advantage of gravity...remove the valve...insert tube and fill away, occaisonally repositioning the can's tube for more even distribution of foam.

while I know next to nothing about the differences in density of foams or their "structural" qualities, I do know that great stuff dries up pretty hard...yet somewhat felxible

might this work? what is the downside? thoughts?

 

[2458n]

The great stuff when flexed repeatedly does not stand uo and becomes dustlike.

 

[Gravy]

Maybe the latex based "low-expanding" foam would be flexible enough? Somebody try it and report back...

 

[MossRoad]

I wouldn't use that stuff in my tires. Why? I have no idea, but is just seems like a bad idea. :laughing:

As for getting stuff in tires, position the tire with the valve up high, remove the valve stem and let the tire go flat with the weight of the tractor on it. Connect the stuff you want inside the tire, like a bottle of heavy duty slime, jug of beet juice, etc... and start filling it. Use the FEL to take the weight of the tractor off the tire and it will most likely suck in a bunch of the stuff. Repeat as necessary to get it all in the tire.

 

[BobRip]

The slime has reduced my flats to zero.

 

[jfh28]

Agreed Bob. I have the bulletproof slime from gemplers in mine......haven't had a flat in over 4 years.

 

[ultrarunner]

Mine are foamed (BX23) and noticed improves hillside stability and better backhoe operation... although, the reason I did was too many weekends spoiled by flats...

 

[BobRip]

Agreed Bob. I have the bulletproof slime from gemplers in mine......haven't had a flat in over 4 years.

That's what I am using. Great stuff.

 

[wasabi]

I ran a test by filling a gallon size ziplock with foam...let it set up for a couple of weeks...then drove over it...it did compress a little but not much and then it sprang right back to shape. now whether it would hold up over time i don't know..

 

[woodlandfarms]

So,,,, I just re-read all this.... At my new job we build puppets.. They are made out of all types of crazy foams. I am going to go talk to the tech and see if they have a foam idea for my tires.

I have to say, though. This year I have not had one flat. I think it is related to the fact that the poor machine has been doing so much hard work over the past 4 years clearing our property.