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

[aczlan]

A year after I got my L3400, I started doing a lot of FEL work, wasn't long before my 16" front tires went flat and the tires coming off the rim, second time was the last time, put inner tubes in, maxed out the PSI, that was in 08.

It doesn't help matters when the front tires tip in-wards, so when making a turn with a bucket full of dirt, it creates a lot of side wall pressure on the tire's.

I ran into that this winter with a 7' snowblower on the front of the L3830.
A 1000# snowblower hanging 3' in front of the front axle puts a lot of stress on the tires.

Aaron Z

 

[JWR]

Among front tire/wheel issues with Kubota I don't think anyone has mentioned that some models (my two B2150s being examples) have two-piece front wheels which split apart at the bolt patterns. I have had a chronic leak at a remote location where no one could find a nail in a tire, a leak around the rim or any "normal" leak of any kind. Next time I visited the location -- flat again. A tire dealer finally got to the bottom of it. The air was leaking between the two rim halves. I chose to put in tubes.

 

[ultrarunner]

It would seem OEM tubes on the small size tires would eliminate 50% of the SCUT complaints.

 

[millsan1]

It would seem OEM tubes on the small size tires would eliminate 50% of the SCUT complaints.

Agreed, and if they came filled, it would eliminate 100%, at least on the BX models, IMHO

 

[galstaf]

Agreed, and if they came filled, it would eliminate 100%, at least on the BX models, IMHO

This is an old thread, but I am definitely having ongoing issues. I have slimed my B26, tried the latex based expensive sealer but I guess I am just too hard on the machine. Heavy use of the FEL, combined with construction cleanup means I get a lot of nails and bolts in the the tires.
As others have mentioned, if the loader is full, taking a corner a little too fast with the tires at reduced pressure will push that tire right off the rim.
This has caused the rim to dent as well as I try to nurse the loader somewhere safe to fix it.
By that time, the tire has mud, water and sticks in it and of course that makes it impossible to seal as the slime is now worthless.

So the suggestions are tubes or foam fill.

1. Can anyone give me the pros and cons of foam?
2. What foam do you use? I have seen videos of people using "Great Stuff" but I doubt that would hold up to the heat and pressure of heavy use. Can anyone recommend a brand they have used that has stood the test of time?
3. The tube thing sounds great except I get a lot of nails in the tires, so can a tubed tire also use a Slime type sealant?

 

[George the Beagle]

Foaming the front tires on my BX solved the flat tire problem, but now it rides much harder.

 

[aczlan]

Foam for tires is different than great stuff, it is stiffer and retains it's shape better.
If you are going to foam your tires, IMO put new tires on and have them foamed, don't foam used tires.

Aaron Z

 

[Oldpath05]

Last fall I priced my front tires to get foam filled at local Kubota dealer, the tires were new last spring. I have to take them off, then take to the tractor place, they send them to MA, a week later I get them back at $150.00ea, sales guy said they wont go flat but will be stiffer. My question with foam filled tires with no give, what will that do do the front end... Tires with inner tubes has some give which in my mind is better for shock load with FEL.

 

[galstaf]

Foam for tires is different than great stuff, it is stiffer and retains it's shape better.
If you are going to foam your tires, IMO put new tires on and have them foamed, don't foam used tires.

Aaron Z

The tires still have plenty of tread. I feel like foam would fix the leak issues (I have to top them up every day)

Any recommendations on what foam to buy? I can take the tire off, clean it and fill it. They make DIY kits right?

 

[galstaf]

Last fall I priced my front tires to get foam filled at local Kubota dealer, the tires were new last spring. I have to take them off, then take to the tractor place, they send them to MA, a week later I get them back at $150.00ea, sales guy said they wont go flat but will be stiffer. My question with foam filled tires with no give, what will that do do the front end... Tires with inner tubes has some give which in my mind is better for shock load with FEL.

Not so worried about the ride... just need the tires to be able to take severe stabby stuff abuse.
Is there no DIY kits available? Is the rigidity of the finished tire not adjustable either?