Patch or Plug???

[Deere Dude]

Trying to move some stones after a wash out I cut a tire on the stones. The front R4 loaded tire has a small cut about 1/2" long between lugs but only goes through the tire a very little bit. Enough for a smallish pencil lead stream of RimGuard to leak out. I have the fluid out and was wandering what the next step should be; patch at a tire dealer or plug it myself?

 

[oosik]

Well, I guess it depends upon your knowledge of tire construction and structural concerns of a patched tire. How much wear is on the front tires? If you are 4WD and have one new and one used front tire will it still be "balanced" when used in 4WD. Do you have FEL capacity on your tractor? Will the patched tire still carry the load? These would be the items that would concern me. If you do not have FEL and are not 4WD then I would definitely try the patch. Otherwise the risk of a blowout and upset are greater and may not be worth it.

I know exactly how you feel. On a previously owned smaller tractor(Ford 1710) I cut the front tires - yes both - on sharp basaltic lava rocks. Because I did carry near max loads with the FEL - I purchased two new front tires and became much more observant when in the rocks.

 

[EddieWalker]

Sounds like it's time for a tube.

Eddie

 

[George2615]

If its a small hole between the lugs just use a plug gun to put in a plug and blow it back up.

 

[ruffdog]

Sometimes them front tires on tractors with loaders can be tough to fix long term. With the heavy tire flex, depending on location of repair, can be almost impossible to repair.

 

[Deere Dude]

Thanks for all the input. I didn't really want to put a tube in it because then I am stuck with rubber valve stems, and I like steel.

I ended up having a tire guy put a patch on the inside. We will see what happens.

I still have a bunch of digging in the rock pile so I don't want to get new tires until at least I am done with that job.
\

 

[skylarkguy]

I had a tire shop both plug and patch a tire after he pulled this out of it. Its about 1/4 inch diameter....and came out of my honda car tire.

 

[franklinute]

I would prefer to put a "boot" in a tire that carries a load. It is just a large patch. I think they heat the tire where the patch goes
and then bond the boot to the area which is stronger than a regular patch. From what I know tire repair shops won't plug tires for
hwy vehicles anymore.

 

[brin]

I would prefer to put a "boot" in a tire that carries a load. It is just a large patch. I think they heat the tire where the patch goes
and then bond the boot to the area which is stronger than a regular patch. From what I know tire repair shops won't plug tires for
hwy vehicles anymore.

I agree...I hit an aerator spike with the sidewall of my rear tire on my TC-30 and put a 1/2" tear in it...The tire company sent a truck out and he put a boot on the inside of the tire...that was 6 yrs. ago and it fine...I have had no problems . A boot is the way to go..

 

[mikehaugen]

I would prefer to put a "boot" in a tire that carries a load. It is just a large patch. I think they heat the tire where the patch goes
and then bond the boot to the area which is stronger than a regular patch. From what I know tire repair shops won't plug tires for
hwy vehicles anymore.

I have heard that radial tires are not supposed to be plugged. I wouldn't trust a plug on a highway vehicle anyway.

They now use patch/plugs I guess. A combination of the two and supposedly the best... I don't know. On a tractor I would be okay with any of the 3 depending on how big the hole is- patch, plug, boot. I am not concerned with a high-speed blowout at my 12 mph top speed.