Repairing Tire Punctures

[GeoHorn]

I was mowing this week and noticed the left front tire was low.

It had been low about 6 mos previously…and I added air …(30 psi spec’d)… and noticed the Schrader-valve was slightly ”loose” in the wheel (“rim” is what we used to call it) … so, I tightened the Nut on the valve…and soapy water showed the leak stopped. It’s been that way for 6 mos.

Then this week it’s low again. So… I tightened the Schrader-valve–nut some more…and it began to leak WORSE!
I figured the valve needed replacing…. so I removed the wheel.

Took it over to my H.F. Tire-change-machine…and let the remaining air out…. then compressed the tire/bead down from the “wheel” to access the valve… and Discovered it was equipped iwth a TUBE…. And the Schrader-valve was TORN where it was vulcanized to the tube.

I had a new/spare Schrader for a tubeless-tire…. Took a ”chance”…Installed it, and aired-up the tire.

Yep. Two or three leaks from tiny holes/punctures made by THORNS during the previous tractor-owner’s experience apparently.
The “surprise” for ME was that the tire was no longer ”tubeless” …(if ever it was..don’t really know. The opposite side has the same type/style schrader…so it’s likely got a tube as well.)

I bought this M4700DT in 2018 with 400 hrs on it. I am the 3rd owner. It was first sold and placed into service in 1996. It’s in very good shape and the tires are about 80%…. so I’m contemplating this flat-tire situation.

MY previous tractor was a Very-Used/abused 9N Ford. When it’s main/rear tire was punctured … I did the poor-man’s “fix”…. I installed a “Plug”. It held up for 10 years of mowing and I gave the tractor-away with that plug still holding just fine.… so, I had the thought to put plugs into THIS tire…but I know that “plugs” are not the best type tire-repair. (and one of the punctures is in the Side-Wall of a ”Lug”…. never a good place to repair a tire……
And, faced with a tire that previously had a tube ….. …

I’ve ordered a 9.5-22 tube from the Amazon. ($34) I can only hope it’s not as poor-quality as so-many tubes are these days. It should be here today.

That’s the report so-far. The tube should arrive later today.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GV3VT3JQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

(About a year ago I found online a tractor dealer in KY that offered a Pair of N.O.S. front wheels w/tires for $500.…exactly the same as on my tractor. I considered buying them …and only decided against it because it’d take $$$ for shipping.

Hind sight.

Anyone know if it was “standard” for these tractors … (when “new”)… to have tubes?
.

 

[6869704x4]

If it would hold air tubeless I’d run it that way.

 

[bbxlr8]

Did this dance with one front of mine (L) multiple times - Tried plugging but had multiple close together (all my fault btw). Defaulted to tube & had to replace once already due to ripping the stem (again me).

I also used the HF manual changer and gave up, and had a tire shop help last time
Used justtubes.com and ordered a spare JIC. Pay close attention to pressures now, especially before a lot of loader work.

Been fine over the years minus my stupid moments

 

[SDT]

I was mowing this week and noticed the left front tire was low.

It had been low about 6 mos previously…and I added air …(30 psi spec’d)… and noticed the Schrader-valve was slightly ”loose” in the wheel (“rim” is what we used to call it) … so, I tightened the Nut on the valve…and soapy water showed the leak stopped. It’s been that way for 6 mos.

Then this week it’s low again. So… I tightened the Schrader-valve–nut some more…and it began to leak WORSE!
I figured the valve needed replacing…. so I removed the wheel.

Took it over to my H.F. Tire-change-machine…and let the remaining air out…. then compressed the tire/bead down from the “wheel” to access the valve… and Discovered it was equipped iwth a TUBE…. And the Schrader-valve was TORN where it was vulcanized to the tube.

I had a new/spare Schrader for a tubeless-tire…. Took a ”chance”…Installed it, and aired-up the tire.

Yep. Two or three leaks from tiny holes/punctures made by THORNS during the previous tractor-owner’s experience apparently.
The “surprise” for ME was that the tire was no longer ”tubeless” …(if ever it was..don’t really know. The opposite side has the same type/style schrader…so it’s likely got a tube as well.)

I bought this M4700DT in 2018 with 400 hrs on it. I am the 3rd owner. It was first sold and placed into service in 1996. It’s in very good shape and the tires are about 80%…. so I’m contemplating this flat-tire situation.

MY previous tractor was a Very-Used/abused 9N Ford. When it’s main/rear tire was punctured … I did the poor-man’s “fix”…. I installed a “Plug”. It held up for 10 years of mowing and I gave the tractor-away with that plug still holding just fine.… so, I had the thought to put plugs into THIS tire…but I know that “plugs” are not the best type tire-repair. (and one of the punctures is in the Side-Wall of a ”Lug”…. never a good place to repair a tire……
And, faced with a tire that previously had a tube ….. …

I’ve ordered a 9.5-22 tube from the Amazon. ($34) I can only hope it’s not as poor-quality as so-many tubes are these days. It should be here today.

That’s the report so-far. The tube should arrive later today.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GV3VT3JQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

(About a year ago I found online a tractor dealer in KY that offered a Pair of N.O.S. front wheels w/tires for $500.…exactly the same as on my tractor. I considered buying them …and only decided against it because it’d take $$$ for shipping.

Hind sight.

Anyone know if it was “standard” for these tractors … (when “new”)… to have tubes?
.

Absolutely astonished that you could successfully plug a rear tire on any N series Ford. Such tractors were produced with "non-tubeless" rims, all had tubes, and just about all had CACl inside the tubes at one time or another. Plugs do not work with tubes or CaCl.

Yes, I bought tubeless tires with new tubeless compatible rims for my 51 8N sometime in the 90s and ran it tubeless thereafter with only air in the tires but N series Ford tractors so equipped were/are rare, indeed.

 

[hedgerow]

Geohorn If it was me I would forget the tube. I am sure it started off tubeless. I would just plug the holes you find and put some of your favorite tire sealant in it and call it a day. If it wasn't for tire sealant in my skid loader my MX6000 and my bush hogging tractor and I almost forgot the Kubota side by side the the wife's Cushman I wouldn't get anything done other than fixing flats. I get around too many thorns with those pieces of equipment. I know no body likes tire sealant but it works.

 

[GeoHorn]

Geohorn If it was me I would forget the tube. I am sure it started off tubeless. I would just plug the holes you find and put some of your favorite tire sealant in it and call it a day. If it wasn't for tire sealant in my skid loader my MX6000 and my bush hogging tractor and I almost forgot the Kubota side by side the the wife's Cushman I wouldn't get anything done other than fixing flats. I get around too many thorns with those pieces of equipment. I know no body likes tire sealant but it works.

That certainly was/is a consideration. I have sealant in my RTV and in a Kawasaki Mule and in the Craftsman Lawn-tractor.

This tube-equipped tractor has performed just fine since 2018 when I bought it used…. so I plan to replace it with another tube…. but your suggestion certainly has merit !

(BTW: The sealant I’ve come to appreciate and trust is “Flat-Out” , made in Spring, Tx. It was reviewed by “Project Farm” and proven to actually seal up to a 3/8” hole in tires…so I gave it a “try”… because the product known as “Slime” proved absolutely worthless around here in Mesquite-thorns, and caused wheels to rust internally and made a MESS when dismounting the tires.
The ”Flat Out” is actually re-useable. When a tire on the Mule was Sliced beyond saving… it was removed, the “Flat Out” scooped out and poured into the replacement tire. Easy Peasy, and not particularly messy either. Flat-Out comes in several flavors….even a highway-tire version, something not found in other sealants.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQCCQLP?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2

 

[GeoHorn]

Well… the tube just-now-arrived…. and It does appear to be thick, pliable, heavy-duty, genuine butyl, with a good metal schrader stem…. ..not the cheap “plasticized” thin stuff often found these days.
EDIT :: THIS TUBE FAILS TO HOLD AIR. PURE JUNK. WASTED DAYS AND HARD WORK DISMOUNTING/REMOUNTING TIRE ON THIS JUNK.

 

[GeoHorn]

Update: Just finished installing the new tube.

Found a “nail” opposite the valve-stem in the middle of the tire tread, and pulled it out with pliers.

Installed the new tube and it went easier than expected using a tire-spoon.

RE-installed the tire and wheel.

BTW, the tube which came OUT of the OEM Bridgestone tire… is also a Bridgestone made in Japan. Therefore, I believe it was original to the tractor. Identical appearing schrader-stem on the opposite side as well,

 

[GeoHorn]

EDIT: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION TURNED OUT TO BE MY ERROR. THE TUBE IS ACTUALLY SEEPING AIR FROM EVERY SEAM. JUNK!

Further edification for anyone who runs into this kinda-thing:
When I installed the tube…I FIRST inflated it “mildly” using an air-gun in the ”vacant” schrader-stem….then allowed the tube to “relax”…then did that again…. Before installing the schrader-valve itself (needle-valve some call it).

Before installing the tube…I ran my hand thoroughly inside the tire to detect any thorns….(and found rusty remains of an old nail which I removed)… THEN I sprinkled Generously… “baby powder” (talc) inside the tire…to lubricate/allow the tube to avoid “chafe-ing” …. something I was taught as an aspiring aircraft-mechanic..

I then did the double-inflate-deflate the tube…before actually pressurizing the tire completely to the specified 30n psi.

I installed the completed wheel onto the tractor…check the pressure again….it was down to 25 psi.
I re-inflated to 30 psi…. then checked the tire all-around…and discovered a “jet” of air streaming from one of the previous Thorn-Holes.
“DANG!”

(I must have “missed” a thorn still inside that tire somewhere,….thought I.)

Over the next half-hour that tire lost pressure 3 times ! ! !

I removed the wheel AGAIN…. I removed the tire from the wheel AGAIN…. I pulled the “new” tube out…. inflated it to check for a puncture so I could “patch” it…..

….Nothing. It’s air-tight.

SOOOooooo…… That’s my experience…Hope it helps anyone else. Apparently an air-pocket was trapped between the new tube and the old, punctured tire….and the new tube could not completely “fill” the old tire…. until those air-pockets escaped via the existing Thorn-Holes. (that’s my theory, anyway)

I’ve re-checked that tire for any existing thorns…. re-assembled the tube-in-tire …and re-installed the wheel on the tractor.

I’ve re-adjusted the tire pressure 3 times now…and the air has stopped exiting the old/existing thorn holes. It has rested over-night….and …Yep…this morning it’s flat again.
I’ve aired it up to 30 psi again…. hopefully this works out to be fine, ready for work.

Just thought that experience might be useful in the future….. to anyone who runs into this problem.

THANKS TO ALL for participating and offering advice.

 

[Russell King]

Sounds like you need to add Flat- Out to the new tube!

I would assume that you did not get the tube (by itself) up to the 30 psi level so it wasn’t leaking, but when you get to 30 PSI there is some point in the tube that can’t hold the pressure any longer, so it let’s go and gets flat.

 

[GeoHorn]

Sounds like you need to add Flat- Out to the new tube!

I would assume that you did not get the tube (by itself) up to the 30 psi level so it wasn’t leaking, but when you get to 30 PSI there is some point in the tube that can’t hold the pressure any longer, so it let’s go and gets flat.

I blew that tube up sufficiently to be worried if I added any more air, it might be damaged. It was At LEAST as large as the finished tire3 size.
It was pretty taut….when I poured soapy-water all over it…. and Zero Bubbles. So, I dried it, and re-installed it.

EDIT: AS IT TURNED OUT…. RUSSELL IS CORRECT. THE TUBE MADE EVERY APPEARANCE OF BEING “GOOD”…WHEN IN-FACT…. IT LEAKS SO IMPERCEPTIBLY AT EACH SEAM AS TO MISLEAD ME. I NEVER WOULD HAVE BELIEVED THIS TUBE IS SO POROUS…AS IT SEEMED TO “PASS” THE SOAPY WATER TEST.
IN FACT, IT IS FULL OF MICRO-LEAKS…AT EVERY SEAM. NO MORE AMAZON TUBES FOR ME.

 

[GeoHorn]

Sounds like you need to add Flat- Out to the new tube!

I would assume that you did not get the tube (by itself) up to the 30 psi level so it wasn’t leaking, but when you get to 30 PSI there is some point in the tube that can’t hold the pressure any longer, so it let’s go and gets flat.

Russell…. YOU ARE CORRECT after-all!

That damn tire is FLAT AGAIN. If the tube is inflated….soapy water is poured over it…. no large bubbles or streaming bubbles occur.

BUT…if you WAIT a few minutes…. sure-enough… AT MANY SEAMS where the tube was vulcanized…. a tiny line of FOAM…will slowly appear. It is very misleading….but that’s what is happening.

I’ve called our local tractor-tire dealer and the are offering a new tube at similar price ($35) ..and they confirm they have also experienced defective “micro-leaks” in inner tubes acquired from Amazon.

OK…so I”m going to go back and EDIT my earlier “praises” for this tube. DANG IT!

Thanks for the input everyone!