Tires Foam or no Foam

[chesaw]

Hello, just bought a new 4740 hstc, will be deliverd
next week. I will be filling rears with rim guard, What
do you folks think about Foam in the front tires? I have
thorns and sharp brush on the forest floor on my land.
The dealer says to go with the foam but I have heard
that it is hard on your steering and bearings. Any help
would be welcome on this issue, I have to make up my mind soon.
Wayne

 

[powerstroke444e]

Foam them all you will never have a flat. My b26 has all four and the M5400 has the foam in the fronts and had a L3300 with foam fronts no problems with probbly 2000+hrs between them. Wish we would have done foam on the rears of the m5400 every time it gets a flat.

 

[V1Rotate]

The fronts on my TC29D are foam filled and they work great. The weight of the foam is not carried by the wheel bearings so there should no extra stress on the axle.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Wayne the only thing I have foamed are the two front tires on the ZTM. I am thinking moving to soild steel tires so they will be softer on rough ground.

It only had 27 hours on it when we got it and the PO had it done before the first flat.

Michigan Seat Highback Suspension Seat, Model# V-5300 | Suspension Seats | Northern Tool + Equipment

This and letting the kids do the mowing saves my butt/back.:laughing:

Now if I got more than a flat a week....

 

[Wolfy]

Gempler's sells a heavy duty rubber tube guard for thorn protection.

 

[Texas Fella]

Foam is a little harder on the steering joints. The real issue with the foam is that there is no shock absorbsion in the tires anymore. This causes a rough ride, and can, in some cases, cause pre-mature fatigue on parts (due to the costant "beating" they take). having said that, there are plenty of users who have foam filled tires and have not had an issue. If you are the only user, and use it for relitively "light" duty, there should not be an issue.

 

[Carykong]

I opted for rubber tire liners inside the tire to protect the inner tube. You get protection plus keep a smooth ride. Good results for me. You can always foam if all else fails.

 

[chesaw]

Thanks for all your responce's, This is an amazing site and I really
look forward to posting more when my kubota show's up next week, I am
sure I will have more question's then. I will have my front tire's filled
with foam, I will not be driving on roads and it will be used mostly with
the FEL and a grapple. Again Thank you all.
Wayne:thumbsup: