front tire roll-off question

[Grumpy Old Man]

Bobcat said not to run foam filled tires in the CT235 I had.

I have to ask WHY ? weight ? - - ride quality who cares it's a tractor -- tire wear ?

 

[94BULLITT]

I have to ask WHY ? weight ? - - ride quality who cares it's a tractor -- tire wear ?

I don't know.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Do foam-filled tires put more stress on the steering components of the front end?

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

Do foam-filled tires put more stress on the steering components of the front end?

Probably but i would rather change a tie rod end than roll over a loaded tractor

 

[wotalota]

Was the valve stem ripped off the tube? If yes then you probably spun the tire on the rim and this can be caused by to low of pressure or lots of traction available to that tire trying to pull/push the rest of the tractor around.

I didn't see it but that is the impression the tire shop gave me, that the tube or stem had torn. The first time they thought they had nipped it when replacing the tire. When it kept happening they said the tubed stem couldn't take the stress/spin and advised going back to tubeless. Because of the ongoing slow leak problem I was in the habit of keeping the tire inflated above recommended pressure when using the bucket and checking it before each days use.So I don't think that was a problem. Forgetting to get out of 4WD and/or backing out from loading the bucket while on pavement might have contributed to the problem. Never had an issue with the front tire on the other side.

 

[RickB]

Do foam-filled tires put more stress on the steering components of the front end?

Steering components, axles, bearings, pretty much everything.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

Steering components, axles, bearings, pretty much everything.

What is the cost of a serious injury ?

 

[RickB]

What is the cost of a serious injury or death ?

Anyone that flips a tractor on its side because of a flat front tire is very likely to be doing something stupid that was the real cause of the overturn. Foam filled tires aren't going to fix that because with rock hard filled tires he was probably going to break a tie rod end followed by an axle shaft, then roll it over anyway. Having a tire go abruptly flat in the course of normal operation won't cause a rollover. Foamed tires do have their place, but that place isn't everywhere; there are drawbacks to most every tractor choice and foam filled tires are no exception.
Taking the initiative to monitor tire pressure and make repairs when needed so tires stay inflated are two necessary precautions that adequately address the concern.

This topic is not appropriate for the playing of the imminent death/doomsday card. I'm not buying it.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

I was inferring that the reason Bobcat says not to run foam-filled tires was to avoid warranty claims when the linkage breaks or fails. It was a response to the question, not a recommendation.

 

[RickB]

I was inferring that the reason Bobcat says not to run foam-filled tires was to avoid warranty claims when the linkage breaks or fails. It was a response to the question, not a recommendation.

I'm certain you are correct. Similarly, skidsteer manufacturers require that steel tracks NOT be installed over filled tires or solid tires of any kind. This goes back to the days before rubber tracked SSL's were commonly available and a popular option was steel tracks over the OEM tires. Axle and bearing problems were the reasons.

 

[oldballs]

As a former BX2660 owner, I experienced one front tire that would consistently loose psi. This was three years ago and several BX owners were having similar problems on the front. My fix was to use a bead sealer on the rim. I did a lot of heavy FEL work thereafter and never had a leak problem or a tire to roll off. With heavy FEL loads the tire psi is increased. After the initial leak problem was fixed, the tires stayed right where I set them.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Can we surmise your conclusion is that the bead sealer was worth the money? There is an earlier post in this thread indicating it is expensive.

 

[Bird]

With tubeless tires on my Kubota B2710, I tore the valve stem out of the left front tire once while moving (pushing) a big load of brush with forks on the FEL bucket. And the only time I rolled one off the rim was when I forgot the front tires were inflated to the minimum instead of the maximum, and I was using the forks on the FEL bucket to lift a pallet with a full 55 gallon barrel of gasoline out of the bed of my pickup and then turned to take it into the shop and rolled the right front tire off the rim. The ratchet strap around the tire enabled me to easily re-inflate them each time.

 

[crazyal]

I've only had the tire debead once. I let the pressure drop too low and the tire spun on the rim. Just as I saw it spin the tire lost all air. Unlike a car the tractor wheels don't have a lip that holds the tire bead in place like a car so once it starts to go it just slides off.

 

[oldballs]

Can we surmise your conclusion is that the bead sealer was worth the money? There is an earlier post in this thread indicating it is expensive.

Currently a 1 qt can or Rim & Bead sealer (#147749) sells for $22.50, which would probably be a lifetime supply for the average person. Gemplers.com is where i bought mine several years ago and the stuff still works.