J B Weld wheel repair

[Soundguy]

Excellent advice on the new drill out hole. I did my best smoothing it over, likewise with the patch, I gave it a fighting chance.
That's why I didn't want to weld it myself. My welder is not gas assisted and I splatter a lot.

i've always just used a stick welder... they are notheing but spatter.

that's what a grinder is for.

 

[Kent B]

There they are!!
I had to hold off on the rear tires until I can find my best price. Locally the prices range from :dollarsign: $250.00 to $440.00 :dollarsign: each not counting tubes or mounting.
I am calling the local Firestone dealer today. 11.2 x 24 Ag tires.
The local John Deere dealer put me on infinite "hold", plus hung up on me once, then never called me back after taking my request.:thumbdown:

update: I found GCR / Firestone tire center with "Samson" brand for $196.83 plus mounting and tubes. That looks like the best price.

 

[Kent B]

Now I am looking into "foam filling" the rears. The old tires are Firestone with plenty of tread. The rubber is cracking but the insides of the tires look good.
So I would be disappointed if I bought cheap tires and they didn't last. If I buy a tire like I have it will cost $500 a piece.
I guess I will have to think on it for a while.
The good news is that the front tires are installed and they look pretty good. JB weld patches are holding for now.

 

[CliffordK]

A lot will depend on how much you are using your tractor, and whether you are storing it in the barn. If you are taking care of them, with intermittent use, new tires could easily last 50 years or so.

I've decided to upgrade the tires on my Freeman Baler because I could watch the MONSTER cracks opening and closing as the wheel rotated. And, if I get everything working, I may end up driving it on the road a bit. If I was just keeping it in one place, I might drive it until I blew a tire, but even so, it would probably happen during the worst possible time. Foam, of course, would likely prevent blowing a tire, or at least allow it to happen slowly.

 

[Larro Darro]

You did a great job with the rims, Kent. I think they will do fine.

I did a patch job on a plastic fuel tank with J B Weld this week. The tube cost a lot less than the five gallons of gas that leaked out.

 

[Soundguy]

get some paint and paint the tires.

paint with uv protectants can be had. the uv protectant will let the paint take the uv hit mostly.. vs the tires..

bu the time the paint wears off the side walls yuo will be down the line a while.. with tires that have been a lil more protected.

 

[acraiger]

Kent,
Just wondering how the JB Weld is holding up. I have the exact same problem with my rear tires on my tractor. I'm going to try your fix with the JB Weld to patch the hole by the valve, and drill a new hole for the valve.

 

[Kent B]

My JB Weld is holding strong. I only patched the front wheels though. My rear wheels were still solid.
I recommend taking your time to make sure that all the edges are smoothed down before applying the JB Weld. Since that stuff takes hours to cure it continues to settle / flatten out before it dries.

I made my patches from angle iron. After cutting to the right size I clamped them in the vise to hammer in some curve so they would fit better in the wheel. I also used the bench grinder to help smooth out the edges before installing.

I never even think about it now. After painting the wheels I never notice the patch unless I look for it. They haven't lost any air since the fix. I did have new tubes and tires put on so it should keep on keepin' on.

Good luck.
Kent

 

[acraiger]

Thanks for the excellent advice. I think you did an great job. Hopefully mine turns out just as good.
Here is picture of my rims after attacking it with a wire wheel. May try the grinding wheel to get it down to the bare metal before applying the JB Weld and patch to the hole spots. Then get as much of the rust off the rest of the rim. Then a coat of Rustoleum Reformer, then a coat rustoleum paint.
The tubes were filled with calcium chloride that leaked, and was probably eating at the rim for quite some time. It was a real pain getting the tire off.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thanks for the excellent advice. I think you did an great job. Hopefully mine turns out just as good.
Here is picture of my rims after attacking it with a wire wheel. May try the grinding wheel to get it down to the bare metal before applying the JB Weld and patch to the hole spots. Then get as much of the rust off the rest of the rim. Then a coat of Rustoleum Reformer, then a coat rustoleum paint.
The tubes were filled with calcium chloride that leaked, and was probably eating at the rim for quite some time. It was a real pain getting the tire off.
View attachment 342981View attachment 342982

If you are going to the trouble to fix it with a patch and paint, I would get the entire rim abrasive blasted and ready to paint. The blasting will also give the JBWeld something to hold on to. I would get my plate patch ready by heating and beating to shape, then get it blasted, put on the JBWeld and when hardened, apply the primer to prevent rust bloom. KentB did a fine job on his rim. Your hold is much bigger but a piece of 10 gauge plate might work fine and should give you plenty of strength.
I patched the plastic fuel tank on my LS tractor over 2 years ago and it is still holding. The new tank (supplied under warranty) is still in the box taking up room in my shop. I suppose I should put it in the attic for storage to get it out of the way. JBWeld if excellent material.