Tire Question

[Steve_S]

My BX2200 has an issue with air leaking from the left rear. I didn't purchase filled tires as I got wheel weights instead. My question is, since I can't find the leak, can I use some sort of alternative method like fix-a-flat or something? Or can't I use that in a tractor tire? I just don't want to have to go buy a new tire cause they are a little salty. I have the bar tires. The only thing I haven't done yet is try the soapy water method of finding leaks, which I will try this evening. I am just thinking that I have used fix-a-flat or similar product in my trucks before and it worked great. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Easy solution... Find yourself a deep water puddle, back the tractor's left rear tire in the middle of it, let stand a few minutes and wait for the bubbles... try different positions of the tire and you'll find it.

You can get some tire plugs under $1. and do it yourself... as long as it not leaking at the rim or sidewall.
Good luck, you'll do it!

P.S. How many cans of that "tire goop" do you think you'd need to fix that leak?

 

[Charliebrn]

Where did you get the weights? My dealer said that they weren't available... Then again, I have turfs, so maybe that still holds true...

 

[Steve_S]

Well, when I bought my BX about 2 months ago, by dealer gave me the option. He just simply asked if I wanted filled tires or wheel weights. I guess he ordered them from Kubota but I can't say for sure. They are Kubota orange. Turfs shouldn't make a difference. The "wheel" size stays the same whether it is bar or turf tires on it. The weights attach to the wheel, so I would ask your dealer again. Or try another one.

 

[GlueGuy]

If the leak is because of a nail or something in the tread area, the fix-a-flat stuff might work OK. However, I wonder how much of the stuff you might have to put in there?

OTOH, if it's leaking through a leak in the rim/sidewall, you'd probably have to put a couple dozen cans in there to get it to seal up (or however many it would take to fill up the tire that high.

I would go for a big trough filled with water and look for the bubbles. Another way would be to mix up a batch of soap & water in a spray bottle and spritz it around the rim, etc. Again looking for bubbles.

The GlueGuy

 

[WVBill]

I was told by a "tire guy" once that the "fix-a-flat" products (the ones in the aerosol cans) are temporary fixes only. On the other hand, a product called "Slime" (It's green and you can get it at Northern Tool / Harbor Freight and other places) is a permanent "from the inside out" sealer.

 

[TresCrows]

You should demand the dealer fix it or replace the wheel. I had a GT once that had the same problem. I finally after years of dealing with it removed the tire from the rim and rewelded the joint between the wheel halves--leak went away---you have a bad wheel with a pinhole in the weld somewhere--make them fix it. Wheel weights are available for the BX--tell your dealer you want them--if that is what you want. As much as the BX costs you should not have to deal with a leaking wheel--as to my GT, I gave it to my dad and it is still going strong and someday I will probably reinherit it. J

 

[Bird]

The soapy water method is the best I know to find the leak; check both tire and wheel. I definitely would NOT use the aerosol fix-a-flat stuff; however, there are a number of products on the market that can be put in the tires to "prevent" or seal small leaks. I've had good luck with one called AmerSeal that I used to get at Tractor Supply Co. But you usually put a couple of quarts in small tires and up to a gallon or more in larger ones.

Bird

 

[Boondox]

Forget the aerosol stuff. A friend of mine had the same problem as you and had great results with green Slime. Only problem was it lost its viscosity in the winter. Will let the group know if it returns to the slimy state once the weather warms up.

Pete
www.gatewaytovermont.com

 

[Thomas]

Friend of mine try that fix a flat and got into a mess..yep stop the leak but somehow the product got into the valve stem and he couldn't add air.
Maybe if you took the tire on the rim to a tire center they should be able to fix it in a snap,{hope you didn't dent your rim}and should be the end of your leak.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Rick Jay]

Hi sdsjr3,

If your luck is like mine, your solution won't be this simple, but it still might be worth a shot.

Check to make sure that the valve core is firmly tightened in the valve stem. If it's loose, air will leak from the valve stem core.

Just a thought.

Good Luck,

Rick

 

[Steve_S]

Well I spent about an hour examining the tire and slowly dripping soapy water over it and found the hole. It is definately a puncture from a nail or the like. So I went to the local Pep Boys and found a good leather tire patch kit (7.00, not bad!) and we'll see how that works.

 

[richfromPA]

hey,
dont use fix a flat unless you are a female with no other choice, cause most of them cant change a flat. no offense wives, hehe. if you use that fix a flat and the hole doesnt seal and you need to remove the tire and patch from the inside, you will play hell the clean that crap out and make the patch stick. believe i learned the hard way. the ole ladys mini van had a leak and it was from an old plug repair and lazy me put some fix a flat in there and it didnt work so my buddy took it to his dads shop and removed the tire to put in an internal patch and had one big mess. the best repair is the internal patch. just isnt much fun without a tire machine.
rich

 

[Thomas]

"the ole ladys" /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif I hope your wife doesn't take a peek at that one, /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif nor uppermich {Pat} yikes... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[gerard]

ditto about the danger - a. I wouldn't use the fix a flat product in your case - it's a temporary emergency fix on the roadside and you should tell the mechanic it was used before they break down the tire. Since you found the leak from a puncture a plug should work fine - I found two nails in my first month of operation - plugs work fine since tires aren't really high pressure anyway. (Although an inside patch IS the best I wouldn't try breaking a tire down without the right tools).

 

[richfromPA]

HEY ROY,
sorry for the caps, but i remember that maryland incident last year. wasnt the guy using a torch on the wheel? thats how i remember. wasnt it near newark, de? but anyway yer right i didnt even think to post that. and as i think, im gonna throw the OLE LADYS, haha, can away!! she can just plug it up with some of the kids gum or an ear waxy "Q" tip. i do know that the leather tire plugs will far out live rubber ones.
rich

 

[Rowski]

Ditto to the safety concern. I have heard of tires exploding when the technician inserts the rasp to clean out the hole for the plug. The rasp causes a spark on the steel cords. But most of the time they make a big mess when the tire is dismounted (breaking the bead). I gotten that stuff on my face and clothing more than once. As mentioned a real pain to clean up to prep for patching. Another problem is how to dispose of the tire with the stuff in it?

Derek

 

[Roy]

Rich; I think it was about a year ago. And, yes, I do remember there was one element about the story which made you think 'the idiot', but don't know if it was a torch. Wasn't it also actually a younger guy? I will try to find the story.

Roy