foam-filled tires

[BoFuller]

I just bought a used telehandler and I know a few people that have one and they all have foam-filled tires. What are the pros and cons? And is something you can do yourself? I didn't write down the tire size, but the sucker weighs 26,000 pounds.

 

[srs]

Bo, I'm guessing the biggest "pro" about foam filled tires is you never get a flat. You could drive screws into the tire and it would never go flat. The "con" is probably cost to have the tires filled and I'm guessing it's not a do-it-yourself project.

 

[Rustyiron]

The last time I fooled with them was on Skid Steer tires, I don't think that much would be different on a TH. There were 2 types of fill, solid (new) foam, and "chunk" filled where they would fill it with as much used chunks, and then the rest with foam around the voids. As far as I know, the only down side is when a tire eventually wears out, the tire needs to be cut off and the wheel cleaned up. Me & a buddy did this and it was not too bad of a job. The chunk fill was cheaper. If you're working around the typ. const site, and after a few flats, and either paying for a service truck for a field repair, or taking that heavy mother off and hauling it to the tire shop.......... go with it. They (TH) are getting popular with the larger farms where I suspect this need is much less.

 

[tuoysRme]

Bo
I am not sure there are any cons expect maybe cost. I had rear tires on my bx 2360 Foam filled. For weight and better tire wear. No flats, it cost my about $150 per tire. The front tires will cost $70 per tire. It's not something you can do yourself. Pros, no flats, better tire wear, you could cut right thought the tire with no effect, as far as your operation of the equipment. The tire will stay together. If you replace a foam filled tire you have To cut it off. I am sure there are benefits to the handling of the telehander with foam fill tires. in short you can rest assured, that you can drive, over anything that would damage a air filled tire. Causing you down time, and possibly money.

Brian

 

[firejunkie]

Do not do the chunky filled, the tires will go lax in no time, no support. What type of machine is it, Lull, JLG, Gehl, Skytrack, Gradall? 5k,6k,8k,10k,12k lbs? call OTR industries, or Solideal inc. They supply my company with 1000's of reach forklift(telehandler), skidsteer, Boom lift tires every year. Mostly they do exchanges, you purhase the tire already mounted, and give them back the "cores" (old tire and rims). If they do not have rims already for the unit, you must give them your rims, and they will mount the tires to them, turn around is typically 3-5days.

 

[BoFuller]

Gradall 534 C-9, 9,000 # lift, 40 ft

 

[lilranch2001]

Gradall 534 C-9, 9,000 # lift, 40 ft

the only con I can think of is most manufacturers of tractors specifically say foam in the tractor tires will void their warranty

I do not know if it is ok with Gradall or not

Back 25 years ago when I was running plant maintenance, all our pneumatic tires would go flat every other week it seemed, so I had our tire vendor foam all of them, then after that I started spec'ing solid pneumatic tires

 

[Wnc3]

Stiffer ride. Heavy weight, so it is like having 4 big flywheels to get rolling and stop. Therefore, a little harder on the driveline and brakes.

No more flats. Multiple operators and I would do it.

If you are the operator maybe wait and see.

I have them on a articulating loader.
I have seen people running skid steers down to the thread and foam.

 

[firejunkie]

Most telehandlers list them as options including Gradall (which was purchased by JLG a few years ago)In fact they are pretty much standard issue now. I can't say exactly on price as I use national accounts, but you are probably looking at $800-$1000 per tire. Is that Gradall rear steer only?

 

[BoFuller]

the only con I can think of is most manufacturers of tractors specifically say foam in the tractor tires will void their warranty

I do not know if it is ok with Gradall or not

It's a 1996 bought from private owner. I don't believe warranty is an issue here.
And the friends I know who have Gradalls are using foam.

 

[BoFuller]

Most telehandlers list them as options including Gradall (which was purchased by JLG a few years ago)In fact they are pretty much standard issue now. I can't say exactly on price as I use national accounts, but you are probably looking at $800-$1000 per tire. Is that Gradall rear steer only?

Can't tell you yet. I haven't been on it yet. My neighbor accepted delivery for me. This weekend will be my first look at it.

 

[Ken45101]

the only con I can think of is most manufacturers of tractors specifically say foam in the tractor tires will void their warranty

Deere sells some sort of solid flat proof tire for their skids.

Ken

 

[EddieWalker]

After years of fighting flat tires and wasted days getting them fixed, I foamed the front tires of my full sized backhoe and compact tractor. I forget the cost, but $150 each sounds a bit high, but not by much.

They weigh a lot more, but the ride is about the same. I think I have more traction, but can't say for sure. Mostly I forget that they are foamed unless it comes up. I never have flats any more and haven't missed a day of getting things done because I'm fixing a flat tire. Whatever the cost, it's worth it if you miss out on a couple of days doing what you want to do.

I never heard of the chunk method. My tire shop sent my tires off to get it done and it took about a week to get them back. They said that they scrape the rim when I need new tires and I can just do it over and over again. My tires where 8 years old and the tread was still good, but not like brand new, so I bought new tires before doing it. Since I only drive on dirt, I expect the tires to last at least a dozen years or more.

Eddie

 

[jonyyuma]

I only knew about the liquid that they pump into the tire? The fork lift company will do it..Don't know the price as it was by the pound, but with crude and oilgoing up I am sure the rubbery foam is much higher now..We have them run until the foam shows thru the cord? They do make a harder ride. I am considering doing my 6 year old titan front tires on my Bota? Let us know your current Quote of filling one , please?

 

[firejunkie]

He can tell you a price but remember these are large tires, so the price will be high. There is a difference in "foaming a tire" some of the lower cost methods are to fill it with chunks of rubber/foam and fill the voids, another uses a lower density foam the quite a few tire shops use, ok for small tractors and lighter skid steers, larger units like this Gradall tend to use a very high density rubber foam that almost dose not expand at all (expansion rate of less than 20% volume, verses cheaper stuff that can expand 30% or more) nearly 30,000 pounds without a load puts a high amount of strain on those tires, lower quality foams will break down more quickly than the tire will, they will start to have ripples and bubbles, soft spots, and you could split the tire.