Are All Kubota Front Wheels/Tires Garbage, Or Is It Me?

[Gary Fowler]

I have a Kubota B26 and fronts have never been a problem with air leakage. I did roll one of the rears off when working on a hillside due to low air pressure and my fault for not checking them. I haven't had any issue with flat tires due to leaks. MOST tires including car tires will leak down a bit over time, some faster than others so you do need to check them at least 2-3 times per year (or more). The problem with my tires is that they are so stiff that even when low, they don't appear to be, so a tire gauge is needed to make sure they are pressured up enough. The front tires can be broken from the bead and still not bulge like a low tire.

 

[Grandad4]

Tires have never given problems on our BX in 11 years of use, including lots of FEL use. Can't even remember when the fronts last needed air or the wheel lugs tightened.

With all the problems you've had, it makes me wonder how much air you're keeping in your front tires, and how often the tire pressure and lug nuts are torqued to specs. Underinflating the fronts especially can lead to separating the bead slightly, debris getting into the bead, etc. Aggressive operating technique can make it worse.

Do you mow with the BX? If so, do you remove the FEL and BH for mowing? Much better mowing experience for the machine and operator if all that weight is left off while mowing.

 

[abeal]

1 BX, 1 B, 1 L and 1 M. The BX turf tires were getting a lot of thorns in the beginning. I think they both have tubes now and have been pretty good since then.

 

[4570Man]

We have multiple Kubotas and have never had this problem.

 

[sd455dan]

I apologize in advance for the negative thread subject, but I seem to have bad luck with Kubota's front tires. When I had my little G series garden tractor, the front tires would always go flat. When I got my BX25 about 6 years ago, they had to replace the stems of the turfs because the fronts were going flat. Last year, I picked up some AGs, and these fronts are now going flat. In fact, a couple weeks ago (albeit after several weeks of non-use and sitting int he cold), I went out to a totally deflated tire that unmounted itself from the rim.

I almost always have the compressor nearby, so it's not the end of the world, but it IS awfully annoying. Should I invest in different tires, or is there something I can do to keep them better maintained? Should I go get some Slime and use as a preventative measure?

On a separate note, I have had several instances where the lug bolts on the front wheels have rattled themselves loose, and twice I have looked down to see a hole where the lug should be. Lost and gone forever, until I run it over with the mower. I have temporarily fixed the problem with blue Loktite, but I don't love the idea of using thread locker on the lugs. But it seems to be working so far.

So does anyone else have problems with their front wheels? My rears have been good, but not the fronts.

Don't have a Kubota but do change and fix my own tires-have had lots of leaks on the log splitter , wheel barrows, and riding mowers front tires.
It has been the tubeless tire/ wheels giving me headaches.
I finally gave up on slow leaks on these small tires and tubed them, leak free now.

totally agree it IS IRRITATING to keep finding low or flat tires.

 

[KYKub]

My BX2200 seemed to have one of the fronts go flat, then the other would go. Dismounted them from the tractor and ran the old soapy water test. Turns out they were leaking through minute cracks in the sidewalls. The entire side of the tire would bubble.

Then I installed tubes a couple of years ago and they have never gone flat since. Moral: Install tubes.

Yep, what he said. Between vehicles, tractors, mowers, trailers, etc., I can't remember the last time something didn't have a slow leak. Put a tube in and be done with it.

FWIW, I'm not sure why tubeless is preferred. I'm sure there is a reason since that's about the only way tires are manufactured now, but I've never regretted putting a tube in a tire! Just did a tire on my wife's SUV and one on my pickup a couple of weeks ago. Satisfying to watch the tire not leak!

 

[GPintheMitten]

You might try tubes.

Edit: sorry already brought up. I didn't read the whole thread.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

I apologize in advance for the negative thread subject, but I seem to have bad luck with Kubota's front tires....
So does anyone else have problems with their front wheels? My rears have been good, but not the fronts.

Yeah, but not for the reason you describe. One of the '24's fronts would go flat on a regular basis when new. Finally took it to Les Schwab. They immediately pointed out that the cord bead was exposed and the tire was defective. Took it back to the dealer and they suggested that LS could putty some gunk over the exposed cord. On a new tire on a new machine. Grrrr. I suggested to the dealer that they could swap with a tire and wheel on a stock a machine and they could go to LS... or go somewhere...

Last time I've been back to the dealer. Don't miss them at all...

Z.

 

[oldpilgrim]

i think the use of tubeless tires on a tractor is a really dumb idea. it's just a way for the mfgr to save money.

With all the weight and stress put on a tractor tire, i feel tubes are mandatory.

Use tubes....after you make sure there's nothing stuck in your tire.

 

[DT86]

I think the use of tubed tires is a really dumb idea. Do you know how much faster it is to plug a tire compared to patching or replacing a tube? I would only use a tube when a farm boot will no longer do the job.

Maybe the tire sizes and their characteristics we have experiences with vary greatly and so the feeling toward them do as well.