Dealing with thorns and tires

[Jd5203]

Simiar to jd5203 recommendation. Tire Shield from Midwest Equip is pumped into the tire via the valve stem. It uses kevlar fibers to seal and repair the puncture. I use it on all of my equipment as our place is covered with hedge and black locust trees. I have not had a flat on any piece of equipment that I have treated. It is more pricey but it sure works. They have some interesting videos about the product on their website.

That's what it is, the price for this stuff will save you thousands that you would spend replacing your tires.

 

[kj3]

Thanks everyone, sounds like I will look into Tire Shield.

Since the thorns could be laying around for a couple of years that means many opportunities to pick one up. Someone telling me they have lots of thorns but still no leaks is a good indicator. And from your locations it sounds like the Tire Shield can make it through the freeze cycle and still work. :thumbsup:

 

[Hiptfarms]

I've got Osage Orange and Honey Locust but have had the most flats from cedar, believe it or not. I apparently have a habit of driving over hidden eastern cedar limbs that are lurking in the tall grass and winding up with slivers in my Kubota's front tire tubes. They patch up just fine. I've considered the foam but I was told by my local tire guy that it makes for a rougher ride if you have to take your tractor on the highway for any distance.

Good luck with the sealant and don't worry too much about the Osage Orange. They are worse though when they dry out. Green ones aren't too tough. They do bend somewhat - unless of course you happen to step on one. Then, they grow horns and shoot straight up through your boot soles!

 

[plumbstraight]

years ago I had some mowing and the flats were killing me. Hawthornes. What I did was make a set of tracks. Never had another flat and it just took a day to build. Somewhere in here is a pic of what and how. Will try to find it. What I did was pick up some 8inch channel, cut it just a couple inches longer than the tire is wide. Cut up some chain into 3 links each and welded one end to a channel and the other to another. I just laid out the channel flat side up and started putting the chain on. I measured the tire circumference and made it a bit short. I used some 3/8 flatbar on the sides to keep the track centered on the tire. When I got it ready I backed up to it and ran a rope through the spokes and under a channel backed on up and stopped at the other end. I had put a piece of wood under the last channel propping it up. Let some air out of the tire, connect the ends and reinflating. Worked perfect, did each tire the same. Used 6inch channel on the front. Not another flat, tractor would go anywhere I pointed it no problem. I still have those, only used them that one time, but it saved me over 15000 in labor as I would have had to cut it all down and send through a chipper. The mower took care of them and I finished the job myself without help.

 

[plumbstraight]

found it and brought it back up under TRACKS. Hope this helps, a bit overkill, but they worked.

 

[kj3]

plumbstraight, those are awesome tracks. :thumbsup:

You never have to worry about thorns from trees that were cut down.

My situation just changed, the tractor wouldn't start yesterday seems to be spurting a mist of fuel out of the cylinder. So at least I know the fuel is getting in there.