Should I fill my front tractor tires with foam?

[KubotaToy]

I had my R4 fronts foamed on my Kubota B2710 when I lived in Kansas due to the Locust trees, worked great and I did not notice the ride as I always keep max air in them anyway. Did not have the backs done since I did not seem to be having problems with them. One thing I did was put new tires on although I still had plenty of life in the old ones because it is a no going back process. I also had my skidsteer tires foamed from new, it was cheaper than solid tires by a bunch.

Would not foam anything where I live now but in locust country I would.

BTW- shop around for a spare set of rims and tires, I found a set on a parted out tractor I picked up for half the price of new ones. That way you can have a foam set and a spare if you ever want to go back.

 

[redka]

That's a good idea.

 

[redka]

I had my fronts foamed on my JD5403 2wd after reading other threads here. Cost $150 each. It does make for a bit rougher ride, and the tires much heavier, about 150 pounds...I could be wrong on that though. I used my receiver hitch deer hoist to get them out of the truck. No more thorn punctures.

 

[gzfrt9]

Purchased a used JD 5520 with 541 loader 4 years ago. The front tires R1's were foam filled. We haul round bales with it. Mostly paved roads. Love these! I have run these tires until I now can see the cords! Between now and late August I will be replacing tires and foam filling them again.
The ride is great, no problem with heavy loads. My son likes to grab a round bale on each tine and load two at a time.
What I have learned is once loaded, it's cheaper to foam fill the second set. Because they chunk the second set. Meaning they take foam from tires and put back in then use a bit more to bind together.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I foamed all the tires on my b26 and the fronts on m5400 never a flat on a Saturday when I only have a few hours to get something done. Every utility tractor I own will have foamed front and rear tires going forward.

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

Yes, I have a couple of them, including the biggest one, which is a hoss to handle.

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

Well, $266 and 194 lbs. later, I got that first front tractor tire foamed. I wish I lived somewhere where it is cheaper. The tire is now so heavy, I'm going to have to get some help to even stand it up and get it out of the trailer, much less mount it.

I watched the guy do it and he explained the process, which was very interesting. The huge 3 phase electric powered machine grinds up previous old fill - and they've got a lot of that - then mixes it with 2 liquids and out it comes in a hose which goes into the tire valve (after the stem is removed, of course). A hole is drilled into the top of the tire for the air to escape, and when the tire is full to 50 PSI, they put a screw in the hole and cap the valve (necessary for 48 hours until cured).

The next time the other front one goes flat, I'll have it filled.

 

[Cord]

Sounds like foam is the solution you are needing. They are uber heavy though and ride like a buck board. I've had them in the past and just hated the ride, but loved their durability.

Oh, and replacing the tires when they are worn out can be very expensive.

 

[joeu235]

I filled the front tires on a JD 6403 because of mesquite thorns. Also needed more weight on the front when using the sprayer and the tires ended up as cheaper weight than suitcase weights.

Also occasionally drive it over the road and it really isn't that bad.

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

Followup: It was quite a job yesterday to get the wheel/tire on the tractor. Two of us couldn't lift the darn thing and we couldn't quite get it lined up using the front loader control. Finally, we figured out lifting the opposite front wheel would work better and voila!

BUT, when I get the other one foamed and it's too heavy to lift, about the only way I can think of is to lower the opposite foamed tire onto a transmission jack, then slowly jack it up until the holes line up.