foam-filled tires

[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.