Foam filled tires...

IchabodCrayne · Jul 21, 2018

There has been mention of foam filled tires here.
I would like to explore this option.
Anyone with input regarding cost, weight, ease/difficulty of install, longevity, performance etc.?
(apologies if there is already a thread. I did several searches that returned nothing specific.)
P.S. Any info cold temp specific would be great. My tractor will be in use at temps below -20 C

MAD777 · Jul 21, 2018

Curious also. Weight & cost are pretty clear cut, but what advantages /disadvantages are there when tire is punctured, among foam, washer fluid & rim-guard?

4570Man · Jul 21, 2018

A foam tire is solid. They’ll never go flat. The disadvantage I can think of are cost, harder ride and getting the tire off when it’s worn out.

sdquick · Jul 21, 2018

My thoughts (for what they are worth) are that some of the benefits that the tire provides (cushion and shock absorption as well as traction by forming to the ground ect) are lost with foam tires. I have seen these (on the internet) on some new equipment and seem to be the best of both worlds.

mercdv · Jul 21, 2018

Just my opinion, I'm personally not a fan. You trade one set of problems for another set of problems. I think they definitely have their place especially in environments where the risk of punctures is extremely high and a constant problem. I would get them if I worked in that type of environment. I'm just not a fan of the ones I have ridden on. The ride was rougher and they can develop deformities if you aren't careful. I've also heard they can develop flat spots if sitting too long in certain conditions. I'd think the ride would be even worse in severely cold weather. I don't know because I live down south.

I might be old school but the only thing besides air I think you should put in your tractor tire is fluid for traction if needed. I keep a tire repair kit on hand and just keep things simple.

DMW · Jul 21, 2018

Done right (not from a can) foam filled fronts on a SCUT are great. Never rolled a soft tire off the rim , or puncture in 12 years (600 hours) of use. They still look good, but the unfilled rears are getting weather checked and developed a slow leak. Filled fronts add about 25lbs per tire (18x8.5x10), assists with steering control using a rear snowblower. Foam filled rears will be hard on the kidneys without a suspension seat, and add hundreds of pounds of weight. Very difficult to remove or install. A SCUT with a backhoe would not benefit from filled rears. The hardness of the foam used is dependent on the PSI rating. They can make the foam harder or softer. The forklift tire shop I dealt with did foam filling once a month. Dropped off on a Thursday, filled on Friday, cured over the weekend and picked up for use on Monday.
Try contacting Home • OTR Wheel Canada. Their closest shop is in SSM, but they should be able to give a ballpark cost/weight depending on the size of the tire, and possibly refer you to a shop in Thunder Bay. Every mining operation in the north uses foam filled or solid tires, I wouldn't worry about using them in the cold.

4570Man · Jul 21, 2018

sdquick said:
My thoughts (for what they are worth) are that some of the benefits that the tire provides (cushion and shock absorption as well as traction by forming to the ground ect) are lost with foam tires. I have seen these (on the internet) on some new equipment and seem to be the best of both worlds.
View attachment 563657

I’ve only seen those on 1 piece of equipment besides a lawn mower and it was a backhoe at the landfill. I bet they make foam filled tires look cheap.

mercdv · Jul 21, 2018

4570Man said:
I’ve only seen those on 1 piece of equipment besides a lawn mower and it was a backhoe at the landfill. I bet they make foam filled tires look cheap.

Yes...yes they do....

Michelin X Tweel SSL - Google Search

Rustyiron · Jul 21, 2018

4570Man said:
A foam tire is solid. They’ll never go flat. The disadvantage I can think of are cost, harder ride and getting the tire off when it’s worn out.

It's not that bad to remove a worn out foam filled tire. A little sawzall work and your back down to a clean rim in no time.

Nick359 · Jul 22, 2018

DMW said:
Done right (not from a can) foam filled fronts on a SCUT are great. Never rolled a soft tire off the rim , or puncture in 12 years (600 hours) of use. They still look good, but the unfilled rears are getting weather checked and developed a slow leak. Filled fronts add about 25lbs per tire (18x8.5x10), assists with steering control using a rear snowblower. Foam filled rears will be hard on the kidneys without a suspension seat, and add hundreds of pounds of weight. Very difficult to remove or install. A SCUT with a backhoe would not benefit from filled rears. The hardness of the foam used is dependent on the PSI rating. They can make the foam harder or softer. The forklift tire shop I dealt with did foam filling once a month. Dropped off on a Thursday, filled on Friday, cured over the weekend and picked up for use on Monday.
Try contacting Home • OTR Wheel Canada. Their closest shop is in SSM, but they should be able to give a ballpark cost/weight depending on the size of the tire, and possibly refer you to a shop in Thunder Bay. Every mining operation in the north uses foam filled or solid tires, I wouldn't worry about using them in the cold.

That was one of the most informative posts I have read in a long time. Thank you DMW.

The only experience I have with foam is trying to fix a skid steer tire after hours when the job had to get done. After some math to figure out the volume of the tire and a can of big gap window foam, we put three or four cans in the tire popped them then got back to work. Not the best plan but a slime filled tube in a slime filled tire wasn't holding anymore. It got a new tire soon after that, but the job got finished in a rush.

IchabodCrayne · Jul 22, 2018

Thanks DMW.
I'll look into local resources this week.

Still not sure if this is a good option but I've already had a flat front tire for no apparent reason. Aired it back up and it's holding with no repair.

theg · Jul 27, 2018

Solid tire are $$$$$$. Wow.

Texasmark · Jul 29, 2018

4570Man said:
A foam tire is solid. They値l never go flat. The disadvantage I can think of are cost, harder ride and getting the tire off when it痴 worn out.

+1. Pay particular attention to the "hard ride" part!

PILOON · Jul 30, 2018

Texasmark said:
+1. Pay particular attention to the "hard ride" part!

Well since my CUT is top speed of 6-7 MPH and never rides on pavement I for one would not be concerned, also it is chained for winter duties.

Texasmark · Jul 30, 2018

PILOON said:
Well since my CUT is top speed of 6-7 MPH and never rides on pavement I for one would not be concerned, also it is chained for winter duties.

I tried them on the front of a ZT mower that goes about that fast. Reason was I usually ran 5-6 psig in normal pneumatic tires for a softer ride and the tire to rim interface leaks down. So I bought solid tires since one worked on my wheelbarrow. Not the right choice for me.

9501tts · Nov 29, 2018

On my Ford 1920 when I got new tires on the front, 8.00-18 6PR R1, I had them foam filled. At least 15 years ago. Seems like tires cost $150 each and the foam was an additional $150 each. They are very heavy. Steering & ride are fine even at -10* F. The foam has saved me from many flats. Tractor loader is used mostly for rough cleanup jobs like dumpsites and transient campsite abatements. Also have foam fill on the 6 rear tires on a 15 ft. Batwing mower. Pulled lots of sharp objects from those tires - broken coil spring, piece of rebar, bottom of a broken beer mug etc. When mowing an area that looks bad I mow into it going backwards. Saves the tractor tires. Where you need protection from flats, foam is the way to go. The only downside to foam is they don/t dissipate heat. So you can't travel over about 25 MPH. Some people transport batwing mowers over the road by hitching to a the pickup and towing like a trailer. That will ruin the foam fill & tire. I drive the tractor/mower from jobsite to jobsite. Max groundspeed is ~18 MPH. Or have the equipment transported by semi. Works for me.

joeu235 · Nov 30, 2018

I foam filled the front tires of a tractor. We have mesquite thorns and the foam fixed the problem permanently. The added weight on the front was a big bonus. Cost $250 each to get done. One of the best things done to the tractor.

PILOON · Nov 30, 2018

I really want to foam my mains (9.5 X 18 R3's) as they are no longer available.
Problem is no shop ever returns my Email or phone calls, getting quite frustrated.

OK some want to sell me new rims and tires ($$$) but then my fronts are 5 X 12 so I'd have to re rim and tire them as well?

GeneD14 · Dec 1, 2018

When I bought my used B26 TLB 2 years ago it had foam filled front tires. They added foam due to multiple flat tires they had been getting from punctures. The added weight in front is great for loader work, when I need extra down pressure. I think whether I would foam fill my tires in the future would depend mainly on: are punctures likely on my property and can I afford the added expense?

Turbys_1700 · Dec 1, 2018

I looked into foaming my fronts on the 4610 SU but got 18 plys from Gensco instead. Have any of you that foamed the fronts seen flat spots develop? I know that this is an issue on some installations. I've also heard of increased wear on the front bearings and steering components due to the added weight.