Tractor Tire Condition Questions

[Dougster]

I've got a 2004 Mahindra 4110 w/FEL & Bradco 509 backhoe, which I bought used. It came with Titan R4 Industrial-type tires (tubeless/nylon) which I believe to be the orignal stock tires. The fronts are rated 6 ply while the rears are rated 8 ply. They are not filled. At about 150 or so hours, they are still "like new" except for the following:

The front left tire came to me with two adjacent plugs in the sidewall; very close together but different type plugs. There appears to be no cut or other surface mark between them, but I'm guessing they originated from the same incident. There is no bulge in the sidewall, although the plugs are sticking out from the wall about half an inch (cut back from a full inch when I bought the tractor).

Yesterday while working, I noticed a new 3/4" to 1" straight vertical cut or split in the right rear tire. It's in the tread area, but centered between treads. It is bulging a bit, possibly indicating that whatever cut it went down into the outer nylon cord.

Both tires are holding air fine for now. I know tire damage can be quite common on a utility tractor, but I fear one or both of these tires could leave me stranded someday far from where I can care for it. I got a price of $185 plus tax installed for a replacement front tire and am considering it. I'm sure the rear tire will be much more $ and hassle if it needs replacement

Questions: 1) Do these large tractor tires tend to split with age? Or is it likely that I hit something sharp? 2) How thick is that rear tire in the tread area but between the treads? 3) Can such a bulging split or cut be patched or repaired in some way to avoid further splitting/damage? 4) Would two protruding, adjacent plugs in a front tire sidewall be enough to warrant tire replacement (or at least owning a ready spare)? and 5) If I do end up buying any replacement tires, would upgrading to a higher ply rating help to reduce damage or reduce the number of flats? Or would it just increase my load carrying capability?

TIA,
Dougster

 

[dsgsr]

Just put some tubes in them and they'll be fine, Titan R-4's are tuff tires. I've got 3100 hours on mine and have put tubes in the fronts and haven't done anything to the rears and I run over rock piles stumps and just about everything else with no problems, and they're only half worn out

David

 

[Dougster]

Just put some tubes in them and they'll be fine, Titan R-4's are tuff tires. I've got 3100 hours on mine and have put tubes in the fronts and haven't done anything to the rears and I run over rock piles stumps and just about everything else with no problems, and they're only half worn out
David

Thanks David! That's very reassuring... and a great idea. Why didn't I think of that!

Dougster

 

[Birdman]

I would stay away from tubes if it was me. If the front tires are not leaking I would just buy a good plug kit in case you get another hole and add some Slime. If you go with tubes and get a flat it means the tire has to come off the rim to be repaired, if you leave them tubeless you can just plug it on the tractor and keep working.

 

[pennwalk]

If Santa is good to you cash wise you could have them filled with foam, then not only would they never go flat on you but they would have some serious weight which would be great for traction.

Chris

 

[dsgsr]

Birdman is right you can just plug it on the tractor, but slime is a nasty thing to work with if you do have to take the tire off at some point. Although plugging saves time if you're in the middle of a job and can't stop unless you get a hole like my last one (pulpwood hook half way to the handle) I could put my finger in the hole with no problems

David

 

[Dougster]

I would stay away from tubes if it was me. If the front tires are not leaking I would just buy a good plug kit in case you get another hole and add some Slime. If you go with tubes and get a flat it means the tire has to come off the rim to be repaired, if you leave them tubeless you can just plug it on the tractor and keep working.

Good point... but let me ask this: Wouldn't adding a tube sort of be like belt and suspenders on a tubeless-type tire? ... i.e., two barriers to air escaping assuming you sealed up the wheel's stem hole properly? Even if a nail went all the way through the tire and punctured the inner tube... couldn't you just patch the (outer) tire temporarily and still make it back home? Also remember that I am most concerned about that small bulging split in the rear tire growing worse. I don't think a normal plug would help that split if it grew more and gave out.

I guess I've become much more concerned after reading another thread here about the bead breaking on a tractor tire after getting a flat. While probably rare if quick action is taken, the plug kit wouldn't help in that case unless the bead could be re-secured.

For me, it's all about *not* getting the tractor stuck out in the woods on a remote property where my truck and trailer can't get to it. It's my worst nightmare. Whatever it takes to avoid that predicament is going to be worth every penny to me.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

If Santa is good to you cash wise you could have them filled with foam, then not only would they never go flat on you but they would have some serious weight which would be great for traction. Chris

I hear you Chris, but I transport too often and my 10K (gross) equipment trailer is right up to the limit it can carry with this ~7,000 lb beast as is. With loaded tires I'd be over and the cops around here would nail me for sure!

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Birdman is right you can just plug it on the tractor, but slime is a nasty thing to work with if you do have to take the tire off at some point. Although plugging saves time if you're in the middle of a job and can't stop unless you get a hole like my last one (pulpwood hook half way to the handle) I could put my finger in the hole with no problems David

Good Lord David... do they make plugs that big for tractor tires? Guess I never thought about it. I assume you had to do a tire replacement right there where it happened... yes?

Keeping working is the least of my problems. I'm just worried about making it back to my equipment trailer and home... or, if the tire is in stock, straight to the tire dealer!

I am not a big slime guy. Never have been. Like you say... awfully messy for whoever has to dismount that thing. Yeech!

Dougster

 

[dsgsr]

For me, it's all about *not* getting the tractor stuck out in the woods on a remote property where my truck and trailer can't get to it. It's my worst nightmare. Whatever it takes to avoid that predicament is going to be worth every penny to me.

Dougster

In that case I would invest in an extra set of wheels & tires all mounted, by an ATV (4-wheeler) with small trailer and some tools like a cordless impact wrench with and extra battery,sockets. With the loader and backhoe on you wouldn't need a jack but maybe a few jack stands.