Rookie move third time? Front L3400s

[fma1015]

I have 336 hours on a ten year old Kubota L3400. For the third time in the last two years I ran a front tire off the rim. The first time, easy remount. Next time, other tire easy remount with new valve stem. Today, first tire goes off over a little stump strong turn and a wire is sticking out of the tire so no easy remount. I ordered two Titan 7-16 tires for it. Les Schwab told me they might see if they can put a tube in them. They were tubeless tires stock and the Titans are tubeless. He said the rims might be corroded and that is why they are leaking air at the beads. The tractor is garaged kept so the rims don't seem that bad.

Is the rookie move low air pressure and not checking the tires enough? Is it those sharp turns? I use the tractor about the same every year and just started throwing the tires in the last two. Thank you!

 

[Thomas]

Could be both as you said,were you using front loader moving dirt etc, at the time?

 

[Roadworthy]

Even on a ten year old tractor in your damp area you could have corrosion on the lip of the rim. It can be removed. Too low tire pressure can lead to the tire breaking loose from the rim. Lower pressure does make for a slightly softer ride but if you're using the loader you need to bump up the pressure to closer to the recommended maximum. If a tire is punctured it can leak down slowly over time so check the pressure from time to time. We have Russian olive trees on this side of the state. The thorns are long enough and stiff enough to puncture a tractor tire. I've done it.

 

[1stDeuce]

Yup, low pressure = tire pushed off bead in turn, especially if you've got a bucket full of something while turning sharp. If you see the tires bulging much with a bucket full of anything, they're probably in need of a bit more air. And they do go low over time, like all tires.

I also find that the lower they get, the faster they go lower...

That said, running them a bit lower than the "suggested" pressure (which I use more as a "Max" pressure) helps with both ride and traction, and I do it all the time. I just make sure that if I'm running the loader heavy, I take it easy in turns, or if I have a lot of loader work to do and no backhoe on the back, I run them up closer to the suggested pressure.

Tubes will let you run them lower w/o as much risk of de-beading as well. And if you do debead one, don't drive on it, just drop the loader, get the tire in the air, clean any dirt or crud out of the bead, and put air back in. Driving on it seems to destroy the sealing ability of the bead, and makes them leak down even faster.