Flat tire

TresCrows · Apr 30, 2001

Today I noticed my BX straining a bit and it felt "funny." It couldn't have been the dead Cottonwood tree that was causing it to strain as I pulled it through the woods and over a dirt birm--no way--since after all a BX cannot pull a huge Cottonwood tree out of the woods anyways so I am told since it is not a "real" tractor---then I noticed ---I had a flat tire, well that expalins it. Heck, maybe it was all just a dream and then I woke up in the shower! Problem is I went out to check on the Little BX and darn if it doesn't have a flat tire!!!!!! could it be? J (actually JR)

Charliebrn · Apr 30, 2001

I might suggest you get at least the fronts filled with Jel. I did that to mine after two flats in just a little over a week, and they are great! The new jel is much better than the old foam, the tires still have their bounce just as they did with air, just no leaks, ever.

BTW, I did the same as you, yanked a Cottonwood out of the ground out back, broke an 8,000# strap before I used the log chain. Must've dreampt that too, as no way my BX could break that strap or yank that tree. Funny thing is, there is that new strap, frayed and in two pieces, in the garbage can this morning.....hmmmm....

JudeK · Apr 30, 2001

I know this is off the subject- but

I've only got 5 hours on my new BX and one of the things I did was to clear a small area for a garden.

The only thing I couldn't do was remove a red cedar stump about six inches wide.

Do I have to "dig" down on all sides of the stump? Should I just keep getting the edge of the FEL under it and try to pull it up? Should I go out with my axe and chop it out?

Any suggestions? It seems that the both of you have some experience with stump removal.

RobS · Apr 30, 2001

JudeK, I did some stump digging/pulling this weekend. I had a maple tree, about 8" in the fencerow where I'm putting in a driveway. I cut it about 5' up so I'd have some leverage. Neither my tractor or 4X4 truck would budge it. I ended up digging with my FEL about 3' down on two sides of the stump (I'll be taking dirt out of here anyway, so digging didn't matter to me). Be careful if you use the corners of your bucket for digging and/or lifting with the bucket curl. It can put a lot of twisting in your loader frame. I finally got this thing out with about 2-3' of dirt ball. A 4 in 1 would have been nice to grab it and shake some dirt, but at least it's out. I don't know about cedar roots, but I was pulling 6-8 inch sassafras with no problems. This maple had a much more robust root system.

Hope this helps /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

TresCrows · May 1, 2001

Not sure but I think Ceder trees tend to have a lot of lateral roots. You might try the ax to break some of the bigger ones and then push pull on it with the tractor. My two Sthil saws are a big help with stubborn trees but stumps just take patience and probably some digging. J

JATO_RaT · May 1, 2001

I would think that the slime for your front wheels would be a big asset. You can use it for most tractors, real or not. Rat...

JOR_EL · May 1, 2001

Hi Scott, /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

What's the brand-name of that "new jel"?
Is "filling" with it a do-it-yourself job, or is special equipment required?
Expensive?

Thanks,

Larry

Charliebrn · May 1, 2001

Larry,

They call the jel "Soft-Fill" by a company called Arnco. It has to be installed at a shop, as it's actually mixed just before putting it in the tire, and then it cures in the tire. It sounds to me that it's quite a job. Cost? I have turfs on my BX, and the cost was $65 each for the fronts. I haven't done the rears yet, but it would cost $195 per tire. Keep in mind that it does add weight which could impact the lawn (the main reason I haven't done the rears yet). It added 45# to each front, and the rears would have an additional 144 lbs each if I did that.

The advantage to this stuff is that it doesn't have a major impact to the behavior of the tire on its ability to handle shocks, etc. My dad's tires that were filled with foam acted as if he were running on tires made of steel...real kidney jugglers....

Scott

RJohnson · May 4, 2001

Larry,
Try this link http://www.wekeepitup.com/foamfill.htm

Randy

Steve_MA · May 8, 2001

JR,

I also got a flat in a front tire. I bought the 5.00 twist and turn tool with tar-like strips in a repair kit at CAP and it has held up so far. It did feel very strange when the tire went flat, so I got off the tractor because I thought it was me, some days you've got it and some days you don't. My wife discovered a roofing nail in the tire which I must have picked up in the woods.

Steve