Tires Can this tire be repaired

Steve777 · Feb 26, 2017

Went out to do some light snow plowing today but did not get very far. After pushing the first pass of snow off I notice a strong pull to the left, and when I went down to look the left front tire was completely flat. I dragged the tractor back using the front bucket to hold the front end up, and took that wheel off. After letting it warm to melt out all the snow I tried filling it with air again. There is a pretty big leak, just under a cut maybe 1" long in the sidewall. This wheel already has a tube in it, so the leak must go thru to the inner tube as well.

My question for this group is what, if any, are the options for fixing this tire. I know on a car it would be trashed, but this tractor is off road and rarely gets up to 10mph. It seemed that if the tire was removed one could patch the sidewall and put in a new inner tube. Is that not advised?

What do folks recommend?

And just in case, where does one go for small tractor tires? And what is the correct size front for an S470D (it has 5-12 Firestones on it now).

TIA

oosik · Feb 26, 2017

If you can get a GOOD patch on the inside of the tire and with a new tube it should be OK. If you lift heavy loads with FEL or grapple - check the patch under load as that is probably the most strain the tire will experience. A 1" cut in the sidewall should not damage the tire that much.

You could take the tire to a repair shop and have them put on a hot patch.

oldnslo · Feb 26, 2017

There used to be the option of putting a "boot" inside of a tractor tire. This was extra stiff patch that went over the hole. If you you have a farm tire store in your area possibly check with them.

George2615 · Feb 26, 2017

If the tread is still decent, I'd do as you said. Remove tire, patch the sidewall or install a boot, install new tube. The inside sidewall patch will have to be good, possibly vulcanized. If not, and the patch doesn't hold it will tear up the new tube in a short time.

Most people who need tires would go through their dealer. Depending on price, if I needed a tire I'd look online for tires and change my own. My tractor insurance covers tire damage but fortunately I have not had to use it yet so don't know how much or if a service call or labor is covered.

Steve777 · Feb 28, 2017

Thanks. Had a tire shop dismount the tire. Patched the tire and the tube. Now I just have to figure out how to get the last bead back on the wheel. I have done this before with larger car tires years ago and don't recall it being this hard. With this small 12" tire there just doesn't seem to be enough "give" to get the last 1/4 of the bead over the rim.

Is there some trick I am missing, or is it back to a tire shop with a machine?

JerryK · Feb 28, 2017

Sometimes, with the way the rim is made, it is easier to work from one side than the other. Check the side profile of the rim, and maybe you will have to start over. Generally, The smaller the tire/older the rubber the more of a pain it is.... Good luck, Jerry...

Ford850 · Feb 28, 2017

If you're not already, push the bead down to the center of the rim so it has more slack when you pull that last part over.

oliver28472 · Mar 1, 2017

Put some liquid soap on it.

Soundguy · Mar 1, 2017

in the past on old tractor tires I have laced them like stitching with bailing wire or other.. then installed a boot and or patches inside, then a tube.

you'd be surprised at how long a stitched up tire than run when it's just doing field work at 5mph.

Steve777 · Mar 3, 2017

Well I finally gave up, tire is just too small and old to be stretched that far by my hands anyway. Quick trip to Discount Tire and they got the tire back on the rim (but oddly they would not fill it due to liability).

Got it home and filled it to spec (18#). It holds air but the cut in the sidewall opens some (1/4" or so) at pressure. I am a bit concerned about whether it will hold together under load. May have to take soundguy's advise and do some stitching to hold this cut together.