Its always something......

[N80]

I went to remove the box blade from my Kubota L4400 this weekend when I noticed that the bolt holding the left lower lift arm stabilizer link had fallen out where it hooks to the tractor. That left the stabilizer link flopping there up against the rear tire. It had obviously been that way for some time and I do not know why I didn't notice. I never heard anything. The BB was working properly. I'd checked back there several times when I was adjusting the top link.

In any case, the loose end beat the daylights out of the valve stem on the rear tire. It didn't bust it (no leaks) but it is ruined. Threads are mangled.

Now what?

Should I wait until it needs air before doing anything or should I be proactive and get it fixed now? Getting it fixed will be a bit of a pain. I'll have to let the fluid out (and I really don't know what is in it) and then take it to a tire place. My B-I-L has the (hand) tools to get the tire off the rim, but as you can imagine, it is a major pain. I'm more inclined to take it to a tire place and get them to put a new valve in and then I'll fill it with fluid myself. I wonder if the dealer could do it all? It seems like dealers tend to have tire work done elsewhere, but I can certainly give them a call. If they can fix it I'd let them put fluid back in it too.

 

[mazurrj]

Its inevidable, so i'd get it fixed now. tire pressures more important than i had thought. i put off replacing a bad stem and almost tipped over while on a slope because did not realize one tire was a little low . If the stem is bad then you probly cannot check it and add air, so best to fix now. Unless things are differnet since you have filled tires?
I cannot comment on best way to fix as i just took mine to tire repair and tires are not filled.

 

[Bird]

Yep, I'd get it fixed right away, because if you wait, it'll go flat at the most inconvenient time possible.

 

[john_bud]

Yep, I'd get it fixed right away, because if you wait, it'll go flat at the most inconvenient time possible.

Truer words were never spoken (or written)!

jb

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I went to remove the box blade from my Kubota L4400 this weekend when I noticed that the bolt holding the left lower lift arm stabilizer link had fallen out where it hooks to the tractor. That left the stabilizer link flopping there up against the rear tire. It had obviously been that way for some time and I do not know why I didn't notice. I never heard anything. The BB was working properly. I'd checked back there several times when I was adjusting the top link.

In any case, the loose end beat the daylights out of the valve stem on the rear tire. It didn't bust it (no leaks) but it is ruined. Threads are mangled.

Now what?

Should I wait until it needs air before doing anything or should I be proactive and get it fixed now? Getting it fixed will be a bit of a pain. I'll have to let the fluid out (and I really don't know what is in it) and then take it to a tire place. My B-I-L has the (hand) tools to get the tire off the rim, but as you can imagine, it is a major pain. I'm more inclined to take it to a tire place and get them to put a new valve in and then I'll fill it with fluid myself. I wonder if the dealer could do it all? It seems like dealers tend to have tire work done elsewhere, but I can certainly give them a call. If they can fix it I'd let them put fluid back in it too.

George,

Try calling Farm Bureau and see if they have a tire dealer in your county. In NC, Farm Bureau has tires offered at certain dealerships. In my county a lot of Ag work is done with the tractor tires and they have a set-up for changing and fixing tractor tires. I would think you being in a county with a Agri base FB may have this same set-up.

Also, check your stem, my 3130 has a two piece stem on the rear tire. I have rotated the tire where the stem is at the top, jacked the tractor up to take pressure off the tire and released the air pressure and replace the stem without loosing much fluid. My threads were banged up on the end preventing me from adding air too. If you only have a one piece stem you will have to take the tire off. Mine had a plastic or metal ring at the bottom of the stem and against the rim. I was able to unscrew the stem and screw another in.

If I had to take the tire off I would just take the whole tractor in. I took the rear tire off mine one time for a big nail and flat. Never again , I'll take the tractor in for a rear tire to be fixed if it happens again.

 

[N80]

I think everyone is right, especially Bird. As far as the two piece valve, I think it is a two piece. Didn't have time to fool with it this weekend to see how damaged it was. But, I think the plastic ring you're talking about is cracked.

I don't have a trailer to hauling the tractor is a real hassle. But, its just a 4400 so the rears aren't very big. I'm guessing, but could be wrong, that with the ballast out, two men could get it into my pickup. If I have to take it to a tire place, I'll just have them put air in it and I'll fill it with fluid myself. Next time I'm at my place I'll see if I can just replace the outer part of the valve. That would sure be nice. Being the optimist that I am.......I'm don't have high hopes for that scenario.

 

[RoyJackson]

I don't think you'll have to drain the ballast.
Get that tractor up on jack stands (both sides!!!!) and rotate the tire so the valve is at 12:00 O'Clock, then replace the stem.
If this is a tubed tire...well, you may have to replace the tube (which means draining the ballast). If the stem is into the wheel, you may not lose too much liquid...maybe none at all.

I'd call for a tire service to do this job, BTW. Those filled rears are too heavy to mess around with. Either way, have help (especially if you don't call the tire service). If you plan to do this yourself to save money...well, by the time you calculate your time...your help's time and the work involved, you probably haven't saved a dime.

I wrote jacking up both sides of the rear. Some tractors (my 670 and 790, for example) rears are locked, you rotate one side, the other rotates too. It would be bad if a tire on the ground rotated whilst the other was jacked up.

 

[N80]

Doesn't the valve stem have to be replaced from the inside out?

 

[MOPAULY]

Doesn't the valve stem have to be replaced from the inside out?

Yes, it does, unless the tractor world is magically different then the automotive world. You will have to break the bead in the least to get the tire out of the way enough to access the stem.

 

[JerryG]

Doesn't the valve stem have to be replaced from the inside out?

Just the short stub that is actually made to the tube. Even if it is damaged, If you have a good tire shop they will have a valve stem patch. They just cut the stem off at the tube and put a patch with the stem made on back. The best thing to do is to have tire service come out to fix it. I just had one fix by my local mobile Ag guy about two weeks ago.