Foam filled tires...

IchabodCrayne · Jul 21, 2018

There has been mention of foam filled tires here.
I would like to explore this option.
Anyone with input regarding cost, weight, ease/difficulty of install, longevity, performance etc.?
(apologies if there is already a thread. I did several searches that returned nothing specific.)
P.S. Any info cold temp specific would be great. My tractor will be in use at temps below -20 C

MAD777 · Jul 21, 2018

Curious also. Weight & cost are pretty clear cut, but what advantages /disadvantages are there when tire is punctured, among foam, washer fluid & rim-guard?

4570Man · Jul 21, 2018

A foam tire is solid. They’ll never go flat. The disadvantage I can think of are cost, harder ride and getting the tire off when it’s worn out.

sdquick · Jul 21, 2018

My thoughts (for what they are worth) are that some of the benefits that the tire provides (cushion and shock absorption as well as traction by forming to the ground ect) are lost with foam tires. I have seen these (on the internet) on some new equipment and seem to be the best of both worlds.

mercdv · Jul 21, 2018

Just my opinion, I'm personally not a fan. You trade one set of problems for another set of problems. I think they definitely have their place especially in environments where the risk of punctures is extremely high and a constant problem. I would get them if I worked in that type of environment. I'm just not a fan of the ones I have ridden on. The ride was rougher and they can develop deformities if you aren't careful. I've also heard they can develop flat spots if sitting too long in certain conditions. I'd think the ride would be even worse in severely cold weather. I don't know because I live down south.

I might be old school but the only thing besides air I think you should put in your tractor tire is fluid for traction if needed. I keep a tire repair kit on hand and just keep things simple.

DMW · Jul 21, 2018

Done right (not from a can) foam filled fronts on a SCUT are great. Never rolled a soft tire off the rim , or puncture in 12 years (600 hours) of use. They still look good, but the unfilled rears are getting weather checked and developed a slow leak. Filled fronts add about 25lbs per tire (18x8.5x10), assists with steering control using a rear snowblower. Foam filled rears will be hard on the kidneys without a suspension seat, and add hundreds of pounds of weight. Very difficult to remove or install. A SCUT with a backhoe would not benefit from filled rears. The hardness of the foam used is dependent on the PSI rating. They can make the foam harder or softer. The forklift tire shop I dealt with did foam filling once a month. Dropped off on a Thursday, filled on Friday, cured over the weekend and picked up for use on Monday.
Try contacting Home • OTR Wheel Canada. Their closest shop is in SSM, but they should be able to give a ballpark cost/weight depending on the size of the tire, and possibly refer you to a shop in Thunder Bay. Every mining operation in the north uses foam filled or solid tires, I wouldn't worry about using them in the cold.

4570Man · Jul 21, 2018

sdquick said:
My thoughts (for what they are worth) are that some of the benefits that the tire provides (cushion and shock absorption as well as traction by forming to the ground ect) are lost with foam tires. I have seen these (on the internet) on some new equipment and seem to be the best of both worlds.
View attachment 563657

I’ve only seen those on 1 piece of equipment besides a lawn mower and it was a backhoe at the landfill. I bet they make foam filled tires look cheap.

mercdv · Jul 21, 2018

4570Man said:
I’ve only seen those on 1 piece of equipment besides a lawn mower and it was a backhoe at the landfill. I bet they make foam filled tires look cheap.

Yes...yes they do....

Michelin X Tweel SSL - Google Search

Rustyiron · Jul 21, 2018

4570Man said:
A foam tire is solid. They’ll never go flat. The disadvantage I can think of are cost, harder ride and getting the tire off when it’s worn out.

It's not that bad to remove a worn out foam filled tire. A little sawzall work and your back down to a clean rim in no time.

Nick359 · Jul 22, 2018

DMW said:
Done right (not from a can) foam filled fronts on a SCUT are great. Never rolled a soft tire off the rim , or puncture in 12 years (600 hours) of use. They still look good, but the unfilled rears are getting weather checked and developed a slow leak. Filled fronts add about 25lbs per tire (18x8.5x10), assists with steering control using a rear snowblower. Foam filled rears will be hard on the kidneys without a suspension seat, and add hundreds of pounds of weight. Very difficult to remove or install. A SCUT with a backhoe would not benefit from filled rears. The hardness of the foam used is dependent on the PSI rating. They can make the foam harder or softer. The forklift tire shop I dealt with did foam filling once a month. Dropped off on a Thursday, filled on Friday, cured over the weekend and picked up for use on Monday.
Try contacting Home • OTR Wheel Canada. Their closest shop is in SSM, but they should be able to give a ballpark cost/weight depending on the size of the tire, and possibly refer you to a shop in Thunder Bay. Every mining operation in the north uses foam filled or solid tires, I wouldn't worry about using them in the cold.

That was one of the most informative posts I have read in a long time. Thank you DMW.

The only experience I have with foam is trying to fix a skid steer tire after hours when the job had to get done. After some math to figure out the volume of the tire and a can of big gap window foam, we put three or four cans in the tire popped them then got back to work. Not the best plan but a slime filled tube in a slime filled tire wasn't holding anymore. It got a new tire soon after that, but the job got finished in a rush.