Need to patch/plug loaded tire on my Kioti

IXLR8 · Feb 22, 2025

Hi folks, one of the rear tires on my kioti has a slow leak. The leak is near the bottom of the tire as I can't see any juice running along the tire and the valve stem is at the top. But there is certainly juice all over the floor. Any suggestions on the best way to plug the leak on a tire that is loaded with beet juice. I haven't rotated the tire yet to find the leak as the battery is dead and I am away for the next 2 weeks. I need to be prepared for when I get back to the tractor to get it fixed asap. I don't know anybody within an hours drive who I could call to fix it for me. Thanks

Carl_NH · Feb 23, 2025

Do you have a bottle or a floor jack and know someone could lift that side, block it up, then rotate the tire to take the pressure off until you return? Is the BH on or a rear blade?

IXLR8 · Feb 23, 2025

Carl_NH said:
Do you have a bottle or a floor jack and know someone could lift that side, block it up, then rotate the tire to take the pressure off until you return? Is the BH on or a rear blade?

The backhoe is on, but the battery is dead and the tractor can't be started. There is also not enough room in the shop to lower the stabilizers to lift the tires. I also don't trust the folks who would be available to do the work. It will be 2 weeks before I can get back there to work on it.
What do I use to plug the hole when I get back? Will a regular tire plug work or will I need something special to deal with the beet juice?

Carl_NH · Feb 23, 2025

Depends on the damage to the tire if it is the tire that is leaking, I would have thought you would have seen this leaking a while ago? If its a screw or some minor puncture, plugs work well, it's worth a try, I've used plugs in my R4 front tires and they hold well. I like the ones with glue and stringy rubber strips as they push/pull better with the glue as lube.

LouNY · Feb 23, 2025

If your tire has puncture that is leaking with the beet juice I do not believe and ordinary plug installed from the outside of the tire will hold. There is a good possibility that your "leak" is in the bead mounting area. If so more air pressure may help.
The only long term way would be either pumping the tire down and breaking it down to install a plug patch from the inside. And then using a good bead sealer after a good clean up of the rim and tire bead area.
Another option that could be considered is a stop leak product designed for liquid filled tires.

HYDRO 1500™ 5 Gallon – MULTI SEAL and FlatOut – Tire Sealants

IXLR8 · Feb 23, 2025

Carl_NH said:
Depends on the damage to the tire if it is the tire that is leaking, I would have thought you would have seen this leaking a while ago? If its a screw or some minor puncture, plugs work well, it's worth a try, I've used plugs in my R4 front tires and they hold well. I like the ones with glue and stringy rubber strips as they push/pull better with the glue as lube.

Tractor is at the house I sold last year, still moving stuff out of there. Folks came to look at the house to rent fully furnished, before they left they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Due to cancer treatments I have only been able to get up there twice this year. When I was last there at Thanksgiving is when I found the leak and that the battery was dead. Didn't have time to look into situation then. No sign of liquid coming from bead, or valve. Rim was still 8" from the floor at that point.

the old grind · Feb 23, 2025

My Rim Guard leak a week ago was from low tire pressure for not having checked it vs from a puncture. When I backed it up to the shop and went for the air hose the beads came loose and I lost a liter or two.

I heard 'em reseat when I added air, and I crossed my fingers. No leaks since, as when I went out to move 8" of snow this week. (550' d'way & turnaround)

A hole in the tread or between lugs should show itself pretty plainly. Be sure whether you have one or just low pressure like I let happen.