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

[Oldpath05]

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?

I'm not worried about ride either, it's when the front of my tractor comes off the ground I dont want it slamming back down on tires with no give. Seems so I heard the tractor dealer say that they can adjust the stiffness but not sure. I was just turned off by taking a week and shipping to MA, if my local tractor dealer could've done it and could adjust the hardness I might of paid $150.00ea. My tire size is 7.50/16 yours might cheaper, and think this has to be done by someone that knows what there doing, it's not regular spray foam so I dont think theres a do it your self kit.

 

[5030]

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.

Me thinks you need to buy a REAL tractor and not a toy with tiny wheels and skinny tires. I never have any tire issues with my M9's.

 

[AndyMA]

Blow them up

 

[oosik]

I have ag rims and Goodyear tires on my Kubota M6040. Never had a puncture or deflate problem. More in character - I've never had a problem with the tire on my wheelbarrow either.

 

[Smokeydog]

I had similar issues with the front tires on the B20. TLB have higher lift capacity adding to the problem. The Bobcat dealer directed me to the proper foam tire installer. Filled tires are heavy but have lots of bounce. Also deflect when picking up a load or driving over a rock. Really could not tell a difference except flat free for over 2500hrs. Only down side is the cost and couple of days.
New B26 replacement used Gemplers bulletproof tire sealant at first and no trouble for 4 years.

 

[galstaf]

I had similar issues with the front tires on the B20. TLB have higher lift capacity adding to the problem. The Bobcat dealer directed me to the proper foam tire installer. Filled tires are heavy but have lots of bounce. Also deflect when picking up a load or driving over a rock. Really could not tell a difference except flat free for over 2500hrs. Only down side is the cost and couple of days.
New B26 replacement used Gemplers bulletproof tire sealant at first and no trouble for 4 years.

Any idea what the brand and type of foam they used was? It sounds perfect! I guess I am not understanding what is so difficult about adding foam to a tire that you have to have them shipped away to some wizard to have them do it for you! :laughing:

Surely it can't be that dmmn hard, right?!?

 

[ultrarunner]

The shop I used asked what density I required... they offered 3 basic choices.

Then they drilled holes in the sidewalks which let the displaced air out as the hot foam was injected under pressure.

The tires were also Branded... Foam Filled.

I wanted to take the tires home but was advised not too as they needed to lay on their sides until the foam set...

The owner said moving or bouncing the tire with uncured foam might be lumpy or out of round.

The foam added a lot of weight too.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've owned several Kubotas and different models. Had the one front tire goes flat on almost all BXs. My F and ZD both had one tire go flat a couple of mothss ago (Aired them both up and never went back down). My MX5400 popped the air out of one when on concrete with huge heavy stone in front bucket, I banded it with ratchet strap and aired it up. Several days later it went flat. I took to tire shop and they said they couldn't find any leak and aired it up for only $21. A couple weeks later and flat again and came half off rim. Took to another tire shop and told them to put a tube in it and for only $43 they did and it has been fine every since. I've tube done front tire on BXs several times over the years and they were new BXs. The tires seem to not seal air tight on one front rim on the BXs. I think factory has batches of not up to specs rims and they put just one on some of the BXs and thankfully not two on each machine.

 

[moship]

Perhaps the front tires rolling off with heavy FEL loads, is indicative of inadequate rear ballast and not all tire quality.

 

[Smokeydog]

There are different densities of foam. Tractors like skidsteers rely on their tires for some flex for cushion and traction. The Bobcat owner/dealer warned all foam is not the same and knew how to keep their customers happy and productive.

The tire foam installer did tires once a week. Drop tires off Monday or Tuesday and pick up on Friday or the following week. That was thirty years ago so things change.

Helped a buddy buy a used B20 from a Kubota dealer years ago. The dealer had installed brand new foam filled tires on the front with new rims. Always wondered where they got them?!? Same size on the B26.

To answer your question what brand or kind of foam? I don’t know. If I needed to foam tires today it would take some effort to find out the best way. Insulation foam is not tire foam. Everyone recommended foaming new tires so that’s what I did too. Might consider doing the rears too if dealing with demolition debris routinely. Flat tires are time and profit killers. Hard to wear out R4 tires on little tractors.

Used the B26 for grade work around a rebuilt spring house yesterday. Strong probability of picking up metal in the tires.