Tire cracks?!?

[RSR]

I have a new (2 month old) LS tractor with 25 hours. In looking it over this morning I noticed both front wheel have chunks of rubber that are breaking off the leading and trailing edges of every tread lug. (See picture attached) While some lugs don't have chunks broken out yet, you can see where cracks are forming.

They are all aligned with the center of the tire, where there is flashing, I'm assuming, from the fabrication process.

Has anyone noticed this before? Is this normal, or something that should be claimed under warranty?

 

[Diggin It]

Do they happen to be Carlisle tires?

 

[RSR]

Do they happen to be Carlisle tires?

Yes, they are. I just found a prior thread with an identical problem. Those tires had a manufacture date of 08/19. Mine are 09/19. It looks like a bad batch of tires.

 

[Diggin It]

OK, I was going to point to that thread, but wanted to clarify the brand.

 

[ovrszd]

I'd start by going back to the dealer. They are going to immediately tell you they don't warrant tires, that you need to go to the tire manufacturer. I'd then ask them to help you in that regard. Then you'll know how good your dealer is.

After that, I'd look thru my paperwork from the purchase for warranty information regarding tires and follow that path.

 

[Hilbilly]

I have a new (2 month old) LS tractor with 25 hours. In looking it over this morning I noticed both front wheel have chunks of rubber that are breaking off the leading and trailing edges of every tread lug. (See picture attached) While some lugs don't have chunks broken out yet, you can see where cracks are forming.

They are all aligned with the center of the tire, where there is flashing, I'm assuming, from the fabrication process.

Has anyone noticed this before? Is this normal, or something that should be claimed under warranty?

View attachment 634320

Looks like you took pictures of the tires that came on my new tractor.

I think I am the person you are referring to in the other thread. The good news is ( well for me anyways) Carlisle replaced both of my tires without argument and did it very quickly. The only cost I will be out, is the cost of removing and replacing the tires. They might cover the cost but I figured I would eat it and just run the tires I have now, until they give out and then replace them. More than a fair trade in my opinion.

I was very impressed with their response to the issue.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[jmc]

I think I am the person you are referring to in the other thread. The good news is ( well for me anyways) Carlisle replaced both of my tires without argument and did it very quickly. The only cost I will be out, is the cost of removing and replacing the tires. They might cover the cost but I figured I would eat it and just run the tires I have now, until they give out and then replace them. More than a fair trade in my opinion.

I'd probably try to "use up" the defective tires too but there might be a risk of the rubber failing in the structural part of the tire too, like during loader work.

 

[ovrszd]

Pure speculation on my part. I think it is a fault in the forming and pouring of the tire. I don't think there's any structural strength issue. I'd be just like Hilbilly, I'd run em. Only problem is the replacements will have an old shelf life before he gets to use them unless he ruins one by accident. Most tires have a shelf life and are dated on the sidewall somewhere. It's common to see an unbelievable sale price on tires because they are reaching the end of their shelf life for warranty purposes.

 

[jmc]

I'd be just like Hilbilly, I'd run em. Only problem is the replacements will have an old shelf life before he gets to use them unless he ruins one by accident. Most tires have a shelf life and are dated on the sidewall somewhere. It's common to see an unbelievable sale price on tires because they are reaching the end of their shelf life for warranty purposes.

I'm a believer in tire shelf life after a recent event: 20 year old tires with 100% tread since the dump trailer they were on doesn't get used much, and only locally. Pressure gets checked before taking it out. Empty trailer at highway speed or less and one tread completely delaminated. Replaced all four afterward.

 

[Paystar]

I emailed Carlisle when all the sidewalls cracked on my 2013 Kubota when I got it new. They were very good to deal with. Shipped me 4 brand new tires free of charge. I was impressed.

But the new ones have very big cracks that opened up in the sidewalls the first season I had them on. And my tractor is never left outside.

But they don't lose air so I'm not going to worry about it any more.

 

[Texasmark]

I just put a new set of Carlisle F1 8x16s on my 2400. I too noticed what you are describing along the center line of the tire, chunks about an inch across on the leading edge of several of the lugs. This occurred after I ran a few 800# round bales down a country road: (small) rock embedded in asphalt (the way country roads are maintained in TX.) all weather road. The tires were obviously (opinion) recently vulcanized and apparently had not been subjected to Ozone damage (opinion) like tires I had on the 6530 when I purchased it new.....which had the concentric rings emanating from where the lug emerged from the main carcass made by Titan....on brand new tires....which didn't shed lugs of rubber when subjected to much higher loads on the same road surfaces.

Soooo having had both, (not being a tire manufacturing person) I'd assume the amount of "Plasticizers" incorporated into the tread determine how soft is the tread and being softer is more prone to chunks being torn off by road surfaces and such, but not cracking, not having been exposed to the sun sitting out in the back lot where new tractors are received (minus tires and wheels) and the tires and wheels are added. (Ref. Google Maps of Rome, Ga, Branson headquarters back lot.)

 

[RSR]

Looks like you took pictures of the tires that came on my new tractor.

I think I am the person you are referring to in the other thread. The good news is ( well for me anyways) Carlisle replaced both of my tires without argument and did it very quickly. The only cost I will be out, is the cost of removing and replacing the tires. They might cover the cost but I figured I would eat it and just run the tires I have now, until they give out and then replace them. More than a fair trade in my opinion.

I was very impressed with their response to the issue.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Yes - I followed your advice from your prior experience, and contacted Carlisle. They asked for the exact information you had said was needed. The lady told me I should hear back within 2 business days (I submitted it on Friday afternoon).

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm thinking we are heading to a Europe standard where tires MUST be replaced because they expire... sad but tires seem to have shorter life spans.

Case in point... one of my friends restores WWII vehicles where 100% authenticity equals big money.

He had WWII surplus Jeep tires from 1945 and they are not cracked... still were in the original cosmolene type wrap when he bought them...

I have antique cars with tires I bought new from Wards in 1973... no issues... the nylon tires I am sure will outlast all of us... they simply do not age.

We can send a man to moon but can no longer make tires to withstand exposure to the elements for more than a few years.

Bridgestone replaced an entire set with severe sidewall cracks... the Dealer made some calls... 4 years old and 5,000 miles...

Neighbor been buying all the family tires since 1960 from an independent with 4 locations... he went in and said what gives?

 

[Industrial Toys]

So why do you think equipment tires (like Carlisle) crack and generally vehicle tires don't? I would say, they make the vehicle tires with liability in mind and don't care about that in the equipment sector. What else could it be?

 

[Diggin It]

We can send a man to moon but can no longer make tires to withstand exposure to the elements for more than a few years.

Planned Obsolescence. There is no money in making products that last. The money is in making products that must be replaced more often. Manufacturing has advanced to the point of nearly being able to schedule failures no matter how well the consumer maintains the product.

 

[ultrarunner]

Tire manufacturers actually welcome forced replacement to generate sales and limit liability...

I just replaced tires with sidewall cracks... tread was 50% measured but the tires had significant cracks and were 9 years old...

For some reason trailer tires seem to be the worst when it comes to longevity... especially dual axle rigs... could be the scrubbing on tight turns where I have seen a tire literally peel off the rim on a canyon switch back...

 

[PILOON]

I had severe cracking on 800 hr tires so replaced to the tune of $900 + just to be safe.
Next spring, only 3 months and 25 hours later I made warranty claim due to severe sidewall cracking.
While I did negotiate a partial settlement* I was never able to find another pair as my size no longer exists. ( and tried everywhere, Can Usa and offshore)

Was all great rep said they would 100% replace but I had to give them my 3 mth old tires but sorry we don't have new ones.
(they were Goodrich, sold to Goodyear then Firestone and now Michelin)

* OK, I got $300 (1/2 of actual tire cost) but still can't find replacements of correct size to work with my 4 x 4 fronts.
(fronts are on 12" rims so hard to go smaller.)
Closest I can match is jeep/truck tires (285/75 R18) but the needed size is also a rare.
For a correct match my diameter needs to be 34.25 inches.

Did a lot of research ! To change rims or modify existing ones plus tire purchase would actually exceed my tractor purchase cost.
Very frustrating to say the least.

Actual factory tires are 9.5 X 18 R3

 

[Texasmark]

Tire manufacturers actually welcome forced replacement to generate sales and limit liability...

I just replaced tires with sidewall cracks... tread was 50% measured but the tires had significant cracks and were 9 years old...

For some reason trailer tires seem to be the worst when it comes to longevity... especially dual axle rigs... could be the scrubbing on tight turns where I have seen a tire literally peel off the rim on a canyon switch back...

I'd say it was because trailers usually sit for long periods and most folks don't jack them up off the ground thus removing them from sitting in the elements, or effects of air loss and sidewall compression, or protect them from Sun induced ozone. Additionally, not using the tire prevents the plasticizers in the tire formula from moving through the tread on a continuous basis, keeping the natural and artificial rubber molecule adhesion limber and glued together......info gleaned from a tire designer's comments. Sorry if it hurts your national pride, but I find Asian tires, especially Korean tires to have the most plasticizers, slicker/shinier rubber and for me, longer lasting both in tread wear and smooth surface without cracking.

 

[ovrszd]

I've ran Korean made Hankook tires on my heavy trailer for years. Currently have a set on one of my Super Duty trucks. I've gotten exceptional service from them.

I noticed the last 4 I bought for my trailer were made in China. I'm nervous about that. Time will tell.

 

[Diggin It]

Tires just aren't holding up that well any more. I put a set of Pirellis on one of my cars thinking they'd be a high durability, long lasting tire for the low amount of driving I do. Though they lasted over 9 years, I think I got less than 20K out of them instead of the 50K+ they were rated for. Part of it was an alignment issue, but not all of it. They just didn't wear well at all.