Tire Loading Trouble

[GregJ]

I was so excited this evening. I had it all planned out. This tire loading with windshield washer fluid was going to be easy. I got my 48 gallons of 75cent Wallymart washer fluid, a slick little adapter that hooks up to the valve stem with a relief valve and hose adapter and my drill pump all set up. I pump in the first couple of gallons with a couple of minor leaks at my connections which I tightened and things looked good. There was a little washer fluid on the floor from that, but it seemed to keep growing. Finally I crawled under the tractor and looked..... the fluid was pouring out of the inner seal. Evidently when I released the air from the tire the bead unseated. It won't hold pressure now at all, air or fluid. Any suggestions? My thought is to take both wheels in to the local tire shop and get tubes installed. I was hoping I wouldn't have to, but in this case it might be best. Anybody else have this problem?

Greg

 

[rdbrumfield]

Jack up the tractor so the tire stays round and beaded. You might have to just put the air to it to rebead it.

 

[Bird]

Greg, did you jack up the tractor just enough to barely lift the tire off the floor to start with? That's the first step before you let the air out. And as already stated, if you do it now, you may be able to just add air and reseat the bead, then start over with adding the fluid. If that doesn't let the bead reseal, then wrap a strap or cable of some type all the way around the center of the tire tread and tighten it (I've used everything from rope to come-a-long for the purpose). As you tighten it, it will cause the bead to spread against the rim. Then start airing it up, and start loosening the strap or cable as soon as it starts taking air without it leaking out at the bead. You're not having an uncommon problem, but it's pretty easily corrected.

 

[herbenus]

Same thing happened to me, and I came here for help too. As was said, jack up tractor (I put jack under drawbar and it picked up both sides no problem), and strap or boomer and chain around tire and tighten like cr#p. There's plenty of threads here with detailed instructions. Like you, I was also about to bring tires to an "expert", but the experts here saved my bacon.

 

[GregJ]

I did jack the rear end of the tractor. I have a backhoe, so I just used the stabilizers to lift the tires of the ground. I did try refilling with air and no luck. I have used your trick with a belt clamp around wheelbarrow tires before, so I know that works, but on a tractor tire....? I would assume a come-a-long might work. I have been operating in a lot of mud lately, so I am a little concerned about some sand or dirt getting into the seal. I need a new tire on my utility trailer, so I think I will remove the tractor tire and put it into my utility trailer, drop it off at the local tire shop and ask them to reseat the tire, while they replace the tire on my utility trailer. This way, I will know that I have a clean, tight seal.
After sleeping on it, I realized that a tube would significantly reduce the volume of fluid I could fill with. I'm going to continue to try to go tubeless. I'll remember that trick with the come-a-long if I have problems in the future.
Thanks for your replies,
Greg

 

[GregJ]

OK.... After my 2nd cup of coffee, I finally came to my senses and decided, why save that come-a-long trick for the future. Why not try it now, before I go throught he hassle of removing the wheel, hauling it in, paying to have the wheel reseated, hauling it home and then reinstalling the wheel. I just went out to the shop, hooked up the come-a-long with a length of chain, tightened it up, filled the tire and it is holding pressure as we speak. Total time invested.... about 10 minutes. Thank you Bird! I'll let the tire sit today under pressure to make sure I don't have any leaks and then continue the loading process tonight if all goes well.

Thanks again,
Greg

 

[GregJ]

Well.... I tried to fill my tire again this afternoon and had the same problem, even with the come-a-long and chain around the tire. It held air all afternoon, but as soon as I released the pressure and started pumping liquid in, it leaked on the inside bead. I finally took it in to the local tire shop. I learned a lot there. I have 12-16.5 R4 tires on my B7500. The tire guy told me that all .5 size wheels have a problem holding a bead. He showed me the difference. All .5 size wheels have a smooth taper,(he didn't know why) with no lip on the inside of the wheel. All other wheels have a small lip that the bead snaps over and it helps hold it in place. He said it is very difficult to hold a bead on a wheel like mine at low pressure. I ended up installing a tube and he gave me a few pointers on how to load it. He was also very impressed and excited about the idea of using windshield washer fluid instead of calcium or antifreeze. He hadn't ever heard about it, but it made good sense to him. He hates calcium. So, maybe tomorrow evening I'll have time to load a tire.

Greg

 

[B7500]

Greg,
I'm reading with interest your issues on tire loading. I, too have a B7500 with the same tires. My question to you is how did you figure you need 48 gallons? If I calculate right that will add over 350 lbs of added weight. GREAT!! The funny thing is my dealer tried to talk me out of tire loading saying I was only going to gain a few pounds and it would be of no help since I already have weight of a BH. Most folks in this forum are for tire loading so I would say it wold be beneficial.
-Terry

 

[GregJ]

Terry,
I found a spec sheet from an earlier post that showed the suggested load capacity for a 12-16.5 tire as 21-23 gallons. I bought 48 gallons because they were 6 gallons to a case - 8 cases and I figured I could use whatever was leftover in our cars. We buy it all the time anyway. I too have heard pros and cons about the need when you have a BH. I made the decision based on any additional weight that I can add to the lowest, widest point on the tractor can only add to the stability of it. It's not a huge amount of weight, but it is in the right place. I have had my tractor on 2 wheels a couple of times and it is a "religious" experience. I just want to do everything possible to stay safe, both in how I operate the tractor as well as equipping it with everything possible to help me keep it safe. I would assume this might help with traction as well. I'll keep you posted on how this progresses.

Greg

 

[PJR]

Hi Greg:

I have read post about using antifreeze to fill tires but people say it is to costly.
Here in western WA. the auto wrecking yards give it away for free or you could try a large truck shop.

Free is a very good price! It saves money for more 3pt. toy's I mean tool's to get the property just the way she wants it.

PJR