Snow JD990 in the Snow and Cold

[johnbilt]

Hello All

I got my first rude initiation into winter snowplowing this last week. We received a good dump of snow, over 2 feet, in a few days. Then the winds kicked up to about 50, which blew the stuff into really nice hard drifts up to 4 and 6 feet deep.

I had two problems. One, the temp dropped to -15F, and my filters gelled up and the engine quit. Two, the engine quit as I was stuck in a drift with 2WD only, because the right front tire came off the rim. While cleaning the filters and cranking the engine, eventually the battery died also. Some days are better than others !! Oh well, I enjoy a challenge.

I solved the diesel problem with a Napa product that reliquefies the gelled diesel. I cleaned and filled both filters and was able to get the engine to catch finally. I then refilled the tank with winter diesel and added Powerservice additive to protect down to -40F.

The local diesel pumps only have #2 mixed diesel, rated to -10F. I can personally verify that temp rating....

I was able to put a ratchet strap around the tire and get the bead reseated, so I could drive into the heated shop. I needed the 4WD to get through the drifts. I have had the front tires come off a couple times. This time I let the tires heat up to get rid of the ice and snow crusted into the bead. Then I let all the air out, and cleaned around the bead with a cloth on both sides. I applied a liberal amount of universal tire cement/sealer to the bead on both sides and pumped them up. I set the pressure to 45psi, which is max.

I have been able to run now with no further problems. The pressure drops to about 40psi in the cold. I guess I had the fronts set to only about 25 psi this summer, and when the temp dropped, so did the pressure and I lost the seal at the bead. Hmmm.

Anyone else with this problem ?? These are the industrial R4 tires.

John

 

[ducati996]

I feel for you thats all i can say with your post. You had so many things happen all at once that I wa shaking my head.
Too cold for me.....you at least have a Cab when plowing?

I would say thats the rudest awaking !!

 

[SteveV]

Something seems weird to have beads unseating like that. Even with 25 psi, you should be able to slide sideways without pulling that bead off the rim. Maybe we're running a big plow or a snowbucket? My other thought is that the rims are damaged or the wrong size for the tires(spinning inside the tire). If anything the cold would stiffen up the tire and make it harder to unseat. I suppose there's no guarantee a snowmobile would start either. At least a sled dog would give your hand a lick if things were going that bad! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif SteveV

 

[johnbilt]

Hi

I was quite surprised myself to see the tire off the rim !! I would have to guess that the hard rubber compound in the Titan tires contracts a bit with the cold. Which in turn causes small leaks around the bead. Eventually the tire loses enough air that it pulls away from the wheel.

I checked the wheel stamp and it is marked as a Titan wheel 16.5 X 8. The Titan website identifies a variety of bead designs. I noticed that these do not "pop" on the bead like a standard auto or truck tire.

They press against the rolled edge on the wheel, but do not expand over a lip or rim to seat tightly out to the edge.

I find this failure hard to believe. I was hoping that someone may have some additional info concerning this problem. I should probably call my local dealer and discuss it with them.

John

 

[yellowsocks93]

John, I would talk to your dealer about that tire problem before you get hurt. Just imagine pulling a loaded wagon or something along those lines. I noticed my rims are maked June of 2000 and my tractor came from the factory but I have had zero problems with the rims and tires.

 

[SteveV]

My approach to the dealer would be something like, if it can't handle snow, what is it like with a bucket full of gravel? At FEL capacity with rear ballast (or your rear blade), it still shouldn't roll tires. SteveV

 

[johnbilt]

Hi

I've had the tractor since last summer. I've hauled gravel, dirt, logs, dug stumps, etc... No problems ever until the cold weather came.

It doesn't have anything to do with the load.

I suspect that the bead would stay on the rim as long as there is pressure in the tire. It must have leaked down to zero with the cold. Then as I was trying to run around in 4WD, the rim spun loose. The tire still holds the tractor up since it is so stiff.

I'll check with the dealer tomorrow and see if they have had any other reports of this problem.

John

 

[F350Lawman]

Don't feel bad last year on the way to a racquetball tournament I forgot to add the additive to my Ford PSD and got stuck. It was around 0* that night and when I got the truck running the fuel was too thick to go through the fuel filter and I got stuck. Seem it ran for awhile but the holes started waxing up in the filter and I got stuck right in the middle of the highway on a huge hill. I had to roll a dead truck down in reverse on the shoulder to get off the ramp, while avoiding traffic. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif My racquetball partner was not happy after I had convinced him to take my truck...not good!

Luckily there was a gas station and a quadruple dose of additive later it finally de-gelled. Now I don't forget the addtive. Probably the ONLY downside to diesel ownership /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have a JD 790 and my tires are WAY lower pressure than that without incident ( the defporm pretty god with a full bucket). Seems like something is up with yours????

 

[johnbilt]

Hi

I spoke with the local dealer today. They are not aware of any specific problems with this tire/rim combination. They did mention that using the diff lock and turning tight can put tremendous side loading on the front tires, and should be avoided. I don't know if this was a factor.

I feel that I have fixed it with the bead sealer at this point, but they want to know if I have any further troubles. If I do, I'll probably take a tire and rim to them for inspection.

There are other discussions on tractorbynet concerning temperature and tires. I would conclude that it is prudent to check my air pressure each day before I get started. The R4's do not show obvious low pressure signs until they come off. Even then the tractor drives fine, unless you need 4WD !

Thanks All,

John

 

[PerryWhite]

I haven't had any cold related tire problems
with my 4310 but back in Jan 1999 when I still had
my Minneapolis Moline Jetstar I had problems with the
rear tires coming loose from the bead in -10 F weather.
Fortunately I was able to reseat the bead without much trouble. For my day job I work as a computer systems
engineer for CAT. I do know that they have special
wiring harnesses for machines that are used in an Arctic
environment. Basically, all of the wiring insulation is teflon
because and insulation with rubber can't withstand
the -40 to -50 F temps because the insulation is so brittle
it crumbles like peanut brittle with the slightest movement.
I don't envy you having to survive in -40 F temps.
Good luck.