Tire Question and................

[Nomoregears]

Well, I buried the tractor last night and it took a better part of the day undoing it. I'm now the proud owner of a new winch. While the tractor was stuck, the front tire went flat. This didn't help matters any. Could used aircraft tires be used instead of the 4-6 ply tires available? Would have a lot more plies.
Next question. Other than washing all the mud and crud off the tractor and greasing the front end, should I check anything else while I'm servicing it? The front tires and axle were buried in mud.
Can I mount a receiver hitch(for the winch) on the top of the bucket without any ill effects? Is it Ok to pull on the top of the bucket like that? I want to mount the winch in the event I get stuck again.

 

[Soundguy]

I'd check the front axle fluid. Most likely it has a breather.. you know what happens to a warm axle that is submerged in muddy water... it cools down.. and water gets sucked into the breather as the air inthe front axle cools and contracts, creating a vacume.

Thus.. at best you have a milkshake ( emulsion).. at worst.. you have a grinding compound (grease&sand)

Soundguy

 

[jbrumberg]

Nomoregears:
I've been there with my Ford 1100 so I can share your embarassment . Howdid you get stuck? Jay

 

[jimmysisson]

Can I mount a receiver hitch(for the winch) on the top of the bucket without any ill effects? Is it Ok to pull on the top of the bucket like that? I want to mount the winch in the event I get stuck again.

***********
I'd think you want the winch mounted to the tractor frame, front or rear, not the loader. If you're pulling sideways at all (not unlikely) you wouldn't want to be pulling the loader - you might tip the whole thing over. Also stresses on the loader could spring it. Careful.
Jim

 

[RickB]

Airplane tires generally require multi-piece rims. It will be difficult or impossible to match the rolling radius and loaded circumference as needed. They do not have tread that will provide any amount of traction, which will get you stuck all the more often. The likely cause of your flat, if not punctured, was underinflation and tubeless mounting. Might as well keep the tires inflated properly and learn the tractive limitations of your tractor. Don't mount the winch on the loader for the stated reasons.

 

[SteveInMD]

Why did the tire go flat? Was it a puncture, or did it get forced off the rim?

If you frequently get punctures you can use Slime (or other brand) sealant in them. If you have trouble with them coming off the rims you can use a tube in them (even though they are a tubeless tire.)

 

[Soundguy]

Perhaps even foam filled.

Soundguy

 

[daTeacha]

Think about making some type of mount for the winch that would fit where front weights normally hang. If you do it right, the winch wouldn't need to be there all the time. Maybe it could be hung on with pins like a receiver hitch ball or pintle hook is

 

[Nomoregears]

I managed to get stuck near a swamp. I had made multiple passes through an area that was spongy. Everything was fine until I broke through the mat of vegaetation. I tried to use the loader to get myself out and basically dug myself a hole. We used everything to try to get it free.
I checked the front axle and it looked OK. Since the tractor is scheduled for maint. I'll do the front axle over just to be safe. I've had 2nd thoughts about attaching the winch on the tractor. The amp draw for this winch @ full load is 350 amps. I'm not sure a tractor has a large enough altenator and there is no room for a 2nd battery.
The tire flattened due to bead separation. Trying to turn it in the mud didn't help. It sports a tube and liner now. I had a Ford 4000 "67" which had 20 ply tires on it. These were from the air line industry. Even 20 ply aren't safe from Honey Locust.

 

[Fredex]

Even 20 ply aren't safe from Honey Locust.

Several years ago a customer came to my brother's tire shop and had new rear tires installed - older tractor with tube-type rims. A month later he was back. He went brush hogging a large honey locust patch - had 50-100 thorns in each new tire - non in his old front tires. Cost him another set of rears. Should have worked the locust before new tires. New tires are thorn magnets. Old tires get hard and tend to break the thorns before they puncture, but some still get through.