Tires Flat Tire!!

[SMJ]

I had a flat tire!! I was pretending the PT was a tank and pushing through some dense brush using the grapple. At first I thought I had a puncture. Wasn't the case. The wheels can be reversed for even a wider track. These are the 15 inch wide turf tires for the 1445. They have a plugged hole for a valve on the inside rim of the wheel. The plug was knocked out by a vine that had wrapped around the axle. Once I found the plug, it was easy to fix. But I think a larger diameter plug might help. Has any one run into this problem before?

 

[Chechnya]

We call someone to fix our kubotas/skid steer tires when we cant which is rare sometimes. Lasttime they pulled 20 nails out.

 

[tracdoc]

I'm new to the Forum, and I am eagerly waiting to take delivery of my 425 with the next production run in June.

As a newbie, I had been wondering about flats, and why no one has mentioned using "Slime" in their tires. I have had excelllent flat protection with bicycles, ATV's, etc. Have you or any other TBN'ers used it? It would seem to be a good insurance policy against a lot of the hazards one would expect to encounter while playing, 'er, I mean working with these units.

Thanks for your input. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I use slime in my 1845 turfs. I've still had to plug some leaks, but seldom.
I've got some bar treads on the way and have bought Gempler's toughest sealer for them. I'm not sure they'd handle a valve-sized hole, but great for thorns and nails.

 

[pajoube]

Welcome to the wonderful world of PowerTrac owners. Waitiing for that production run will seem like years.
I work my 425 very hard in almost all types of ground conditions and have had only one flat tire (nail). I use turf tires year around and have been very happy with them. When I experience more flats, I will put slim in each tire.
PJ

 

[DML]

I just got a flat two days ago myself. The same thing happened. Although, I don't think it was a plug, it was another valve. I hadn't reversed the tires, but the inside valve got nocked off. The guys at the tire shop said that PowerTrac probably put two valves in so you could fill with substance on one side while letting air out the other. I didn't say anything, but it didn't make sense to me at the time. I remember somebody posting that powertrac recomends NOT filling the tires.

 

[tracdoc]

Someone had mentioned prior on the Forum that the double valve (inboard + outboard) was a function of PT using the same wheelsets for some of their double-wheeled models. As I recall, the 1845 uses the same front wheels (slightly larger tire) as the 425. That way you can fill (air) both tires w/o removing a wheel, and you can put wheels back on in random order, w/o regard for which is inner and which is outer on those models.

The Slime I would not think to be the equivalent of conventional "loading" the tires, since the volume of the goo is just enough to roll around inside to seal off any punctures, as opposed to being a full load of liquid for weighting purposes.

 

[MossRoad]

We have mentioned slime before several times. Do a search of the Power Trac forum for slime and you will get some hits.

I run it in my front tires and it appears to have stopped the small leaks that I was getting.

 

[dturnmire]

I've had my PT-180 (twin cylinder 18hp engine) for a few days now and already have experienced two flat tires. I called a tire place and they said they have a sealant they use (1/2 to 1 gallon of it) which is very effective but I am leary because of some of the things I have read about the tire motor failing. A gallon of this sealant is probably not the same as having the whole tire filled so I'll probably go ahead and have it done. Do you think It would be acceptable to have only one tire done since it is the same one going flat?

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I have Slime in all my 1845 tires, and have bought some sealant from Gemplers for bar treads which are on the way. It isn't the same thing as loading the tires with liquid, and I've never heard of a problem due to the weight of the quart or so you put in. I recommend you put it in all four tires. It's a little pricey, but really works. It's easy to put in yourself, and available at Gemplers, other on-line stores, and a lot of auto supply places.

 

[marrt]

Charlie,

Did you order the Bar tires from Power Trac or did you find another source? Did you get wheels too?

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Marrt:
I bought the wheels from Power Trac when I was in Tazewell getting the post pounder. The tires are coming from a supplier that Hans Luginbuhl deals with in PA. For some reason, Power Trac wanted a lot more for the tires and mounting than I see on the net, and Hans was sure his people could get the tires. Unfortunately, we haven't yet able to connect for me to get the tires.

 

[MossRoad]

I think I bought the Slime at a local auto store or big box store. I purchased four 1 pint bottles. I put one bottle in each front tire and still have two left. I will not load my tires. Loading the tires would be pointless, for me at least, because I want the machine as light as possible as it is my primary lawn mower. I don't have any major traction issues with my turf tires. For loader work on loose material, loading the fronts would accomplish nothing as they are the pivot point. Loading the rears would add a few pounds, but I don't want to do that as it could cause undue stress on the center joint. I like the unit just the way it is, so the slime was the way to go for me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BobRip]

I had a slow leak on one of my front tires. It's been a slow leak until recently and I could not isolate it. Lately I have been adding air every day or two. I took it off and found several leaks around the rim on one side. I let the air out, broke the bead by putting the bottom of the high lift jack on the tire and jacking on the hitch on my Tundra. I then cleaned off the rim and tire. It looks like a lot of dirt got in there. I am not sure the leak is completely fixed. Has anyone got a suggestion to make this seal better? I thought about painting the rim on the inside.

Bob Rip

 

[J_J]

Napa sells a can of tire bead sealer. Just clean the edge of the rim real good and put a light coating on the tire and rim.

 

[Bob999]

Install a tube.

 

[BobRip]

Thanks J_J and Bob999. I think I will try the bead sealer first and then the tube if that does not work.

Bob Rip

 

[BAGTIC]

I have had three 'flats' on my 425 since I got it in May. I just reached 50 hours.

The first flat was a broken valve stem incurrted while moving downed tree tops. The local tire shop put in a new stem for $1.75 total (parts and labor). Very reasonable.

The second flat was due to a slow leak. I got tired of pumping it up by hand every week and have just added some sealant but don't know yet how it is going to work. Too soon,

*** The third flat is more problematic. I popped one of the foam tires off the rim on my mower wheel.

Does anyone know how to get them back on???? A screwdriver doesn't work nor does a vise. I took it to my neigbor, who rebuilds real tractors as a business, and we soaped it up and put it in his 30 ton hydraulic press. No luck. At $50 dollars a pop plus shipping, etc. those little wheels are pricey. If I knew who made the wheels I would contact the manufacturer for advice.

 

[jfh28]

Just did the same thing. Came to the conclusion that I was not getting it back on myself. Tire places by me said it was too small for their machines. So I took it to a local JD dealer. He had some trouble with it but did get it back on.

Jack


*** The third flat is more problematic. I popped one of the foam tires off the rim on my mower wheel.

Does anyone know how to get them back on????