Foam tires or replace?

[Phredee]

One of the front tires (Ag tires) on my BX23 got a thorn thru the sidewall for a slow leak. I am now faced with a decision. The tire dealer suggested a tube, but I don't like the idea because if I get a thorn thru the tread area I can plug it in the field, but not with a tube installed, so that option is out. I was shopping for a replacement tire when I found where some people were filling them with foam for a "no leak" fix. I'm not familiar with foam and wondered about the downsides and if it would work OK with the heavy loads of a full bucket? I can see where it would be heavier and a stiffer ride, but is that so bad?

Help please.

 

[AStanton]

I was told by someone in the Kubota service department, that foamed front tires make your frontend prone to wear. Changing a front tire is one thing; changing a loaded rear tire is a whole other animal.

 

[dex3361]

Is the hole to large to plug? Another option is to have a boot plug placed on the inside. Like this type boot Plug

 

[Deano]

Put slime in my front tire years ago and never looked back!:thumbsup:

 

[Phredee]

It is a small hole in the sidewall that is leaking, so plugging is not really an option. The tire already has two plugged holes in the tread area. The slime idea also crossed my mind, but I have not had good luck with it in the past. I guess something I didn't ask was recommendations on where to buy a 18X8.5-8 tire.

 

[SanDucerro]

My L3130 lives on a thorn infested farm - we have Huisache trees which produce some of the most evil looking thorns you have ever seen. When I bought the tractor 10 years ago I had Slime put in the R4 tires. If I recall correctly, the dealer put 35 lbs in each rear and 15 in each front. I have never had a flat and I've never even added air. Not sure why your experience with Slime was different, but I'd swear by the stuff. In my book it's awesome!

 

[Phredee]

Thanks, Maybe I'll try it again. I know I didn't put that much in and it was years ago. My biggest problem is Honey Locust.

 

[tomf]

My fronts would leak slowly from the tread area so I put a plug in the where I identified the leak. Then I noticed that there multiple slow leaks. I didn't want to have fronts with numerous plugs so I put Slime in them. Much to my amazement I've never had a problem since. This was probably 10 years ago.

 

[SSdoxie]

Luckily I haven't had issues with the tractor tires, but lawn mower tires were a constant pain for a few years. I tried slime, following the recomendations on the label, with poor results. Finally got tired of it and filled every tire with as much slime as I could pump into them then added a little air to correct pressure and no problems for 3 years now.
Foam will harden to a solid mass and is much heavier than slime or similar product. The foam will not allow the tire to flex, plus with the added weight it will wear tread much faster, then when tires is worn out you have to replace tire and wheel. That extra weight and no give in the tire will add to wear on front axle components.

 

[RaydaKub]

Thanks, Maybe I'll try it again. I know I didn't put that much in and it was years ago. My biggest problem is Honey Locust.

Holy crap! That's just evil! The only thing fit for a tree like that is a chainsaw, and the sooner the better!

Welcome aboard, Phredee!