Tires BX24 blowout! Don't fill your front tires!

[ACHINBAC]

If you've been following my recent posts you'll know I have filled all four tires (to 75%) and have bumped up the pressure relief to 2000psi. Last weekend while finishing the wood pile for next winter (lot of load way out on the FEL carrier) I noticed a pretty good crush on the front tires. I bumped them both to 24psi vs 22 and helped a bit. On the way back to the garage I noticed a bump on the right front tire - turns out the outside bead had been stretched and was just short of blowing off the rim.

Have finally found the weak link regarding bumping up your pressure - after much time on the web have found no front turf tire available with more than four plys (stock is OTR GRASSMASTER 4 ply 18x8.5x10 rated for 850lbs @10mph).

Local dealer wanted $155 for new tire (without mounting) but was able to order direct from OTR for $37.50 plus shipping on the web . Am going again with stock oem and will keep all posted (am draining the other front). If anyone knows of a beefier turf let me know.

Advice is don't fill your front tires. The relatively small volume of air left in these tiny front tires after filling does not fly with a heavy load on the front end.

Dave

Ps: Yes, Wax, that IS carpet on the carrier .. . .

 

[big bubba]

yes, you're correct. thinking that some extra weight in the front via fluid in the ft. tires would help with FEL work ( on mx5000) I asked a K mechanic about it. although fr. bumper weights are ok on various models, filling ft. tires may void warranty as the 4wd system is not designed for the extra weight in the tires. a point to debate, I guess. but it's a mute point for me as I upgraded for a larger M series. good luck, I'd steer clear of it. bb

 

[LBrown59]

yes, you're correct. thinking that some extra weight in the front via fluid in the ft. tires would help with FEL work ( on mx5000) I asked a K mechanic about it. although fr. bumper weights are ok on various models, filling ft. tires may void warranty as the 4wd system is not designed for the extra weight in the tires. a point to debate, I guess. but it's a mute point for me as I upgraded for a larger M series. good luck, I'd steer clear of it. bb

My BX
manual clearly says don't fill front tires.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Local dealer wanted $155 for new tire (without mounting) but was able to order direct from OTR for $37.50 plus shipping on the web .

Your dealer could have ordered you a tire and rim though wholegoods rather than parts and gotten it for about half that price.

 

[Bedlam]

I think its because you cant compress water .. like air.

 

[KeithInSpace]

My BX
manual clearly says don't fill front tires.

There's also something abot not filling the rear tires or running wheel weights with the BH installed. That hasn't hurt me yet.

Also, it's particular about not having the MMM installed with the BH installed. You've been OK with that, haven't you?

That said, I'm not sure of the benefit of filling the front tires other than a marginal lowering of the COG. Clearly this is a reason to allow more flexibility in the front tires than filling offers...

 

[radioman]

OUCH !! that really has to suck. After upgrades to your machine and now a blowout. What's next ? Honestly, have you noticed any better steering/traction with the front tires filled with liquid ballast ? If you do noticed a difference, perhaps a foam filled fronts would help instead for a stronger tire ?

 

[ACHINBAC]

Radio,
It would have really sucked if I hadn't made it back to the garage. After I filled all the tires I noticed much less bounce over rough ground & didn't notice any difference in the steering. The dealer recommended foam, but I'm afraid it would take all the bounce (cushion) out of the front end resulting in to much shock to the loader and frame. I'll go back to unfilled stock fronts for the time being til I can find a 6 ply tire and keep the rears filled 75%. I may find they are ok without the fluid and might try boosting the psi to 24-5 when carrying something heavy.

Keith I don't use a mmm so can't comment. My backhoe and loader are always on though.

Bedlam, I'm hoping that is what caused the bead to deform.

Messick's, - the local distibutor is a weasel & not Norfolk power who offered a price similar to yours (great company who I originally purchased the BX from) unfortunately they could not get a new tire/wheel assembly in til next week & we need the tractor this weekend.

LBrown, You are a classic. I'm a little old to get spanked. My manual also clearly states the same. I also drilled & welded the piss out of my ROPS. Any thing you'd like to add regarding that?

 

[Bedlam]

LOL Too funny. But is there a concern that the bucket lip could cut the truck tire? LOL

 

[TheFlatlander]

Brown, You are a classic. I'm a little old to get spanked. My manual also clearly states the same. I also drilled & welded the piss out of my ROPS. Any thing you'd like to add regarding that?

That's really funny! Although the manual also says not to, I also removed almost all of the safety decals. They were ugly and depressing.

Just went to garage and compared the turfs and R4's and they are both 4 ply rated. The R4's seem to have a stiffer sidewall and I thought that they were better under load. Both are rated at 22psi full capacity. the manual from Kubota gives two different recommended pressures, with the R4 being higher. From what I can find on line the R1's are also 4ply.
Fronts are as follows:
R1 rated at 820# @ 10 mph
Turf rated at 850# @ 10 MPH

Anybody know the rating for the R4?

Tires are 18x8.50.10nhs