tire foam

[Carlsbarn 0]

Has anybody ever filled rear tires with foam for weight and run-flat tire?

[MikesRJ 555]

Foam isn't going to add a lot of weight to the tires, although it will keep them from going flat. Your better off getting wheel weights, or filling with anti-freeze liquid designed for tire use.

Oh, and B)

[Rollerman 290]

I've had a few sets of my rear tires filled.

Some call it foam but I'm not real sure what it actually is.

The tires still remain pliable, won't leak, give a normal ride & are really heavy.

I have a set of the 22X 7.50 size common on the 300 series filled that have to weigh close to 100 pounds apeice then a set of 18.50X8's on a Lawn Ranger that weight 55 pounds apeice.

I like it better than liquid filling because you don't have sloshing, leaks, or rust damage to the wheel from corosive liquids.

The down side is it's semi permanent & you can't remove the filling from the tire, but since it won't ever leak repairs are not needed.

If the tire needs replaceing it will need to be cut off so the rim can be reused.

[d180man 5]

Foam isn't going to add a lot of weight to the tires, although it will keep them from going flat. Your better off getting wheel weights, or filling with anti-freeze liquid designed for tire use.

Oh, and

Hi and i dont know about (Foam isn't going to add a lot of weight to the tires) we have a small bobcat that runs 23 tire and they do get heavy when you put it in them just like Rollerman sead ! it has is good and bad ! but we love no more flats ! :party:

[bitten 134]

Yes heavy and no more flats, also a lot stiffer meaning that there is not much give which might mean a little less traction B)

[truckin88 104]

this si the proper stuff to use (note there are other brands, this is just one):

http://www.rimguard.biz/

[Audioshot 2]

The industry slang is called "foam" because it is intended to replace the air pressure and still deflect like a fully inflated tire. It is a liquid polyurethane that cures into a rubbery solid so it acts like a rubber ball. Its intent is to "flat proof" your tires used in extreme chunking conditions like scrap yards and quarries. Tons of people (Waste Mgmt) put it in their front-end loaders because it acts as a ballast. and totally maintenance free. It is VERY heavy. Trust me, your tires will be heavy, you may not need wheel weights. The disadvantage is when your tires finally wear out, you have to cut the tire and rubber fill off the rims with a saw-zall but that's not that hard to do.

Arnco Superflex fill is the best stuff out there and it is about $1.75 /lb to inject in. The rear 23x9.50-12" tires on my 310-8 would take about 75 lbs in each tire to do. I filled my snow blower tires. Most earthmover tire companies have Arnco injectors there so you may want to check locally.

http://www.arnconet.com/flatproofing.htm

[Rollerman 290]

Yes heavy and no more flats, also a lot stiffer meaning that there is not much give which might mean a little less traction

This seems to be a popular myth.

The "Foam" I had placed in my tires will let the tire deflect or move just as if it were filled with air.

I mean 4 to 8 PSI...not 50 either.

this si the proper stuff to use (note there are other brands, this is just one):

That is one option yes, but rim guard will leak if you puncture the tire.

I guess I got wise to the use of foam from work, they (work) had some of the equipment tires done...mostly the fronts on backhoes.

It helps as a counter balance & there is no need to call the tire repair to fix a flat.

I have seen Rim Guard used too & know it will leak out from a puncture, sliced tire or valve stem be it accidental or vandilism....I also know the "bosses" get grouchy when there is a puddle of Rim Guard on the outside of a tire.

Yeah I'm sold on foam....the only negative I can think of is moveing the tires when they are not on the tractor.

[rickv1957 73]

Some of the tire foam sets pretty hard giving a harsh ride, Rick

[Sparky-(Admin) 22,058]

Does it get stiffer in the cold? What if your foam filled tires are sitting in a cold garage on a concrete floor for a month (between snowfalls say)? Will they develop flat spots?

Very interesting topic here !

Mike.......

[Audioshot 2]

The Flexfill is pretty spongy. I think it has a 20% deflection (but I'm not 100% sure). You would want that stuff otherwise your teeth will rattle out of your head if they use the renew "hard" fill. I've never heard of it flat spotting.

[Rollerman 290]

Some of the tire foam sets pretty hard giving a harsh ride, Rick

I would say your seeing something similar to a solid rubber tire then?

The Poly or "Foam" is really pliable.....kinda like Stretch Armstrong

Does it get stiffer in the cold? What if your foam filled tires are sitting in a cold garage on a concrete floor for a month (between snowfalls say)? Will they develop flat spots?

Very interesting topic here

[Kelly 1,030]

I bought a Kubuta a few months ago from a guy that got it from work they built trailers and had the tires foam filled, they are still soft like filled with air, I took the valve cap off it looks like reg. foam not sure how heavy they are I never had them off yet, but they are 30x12.5x15's so I'm sure not light, they filled the fronts also because all the screws on the floor, heck I don't think I will need chains there is so many screws in the tires.

I also have a pair of 4.80x8 tires that are filled with what looks like black silicone they are about 30lbs each and hard, very little give to them.

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Has anybody ever filled rear tires with foam for weight and run-flat tire?

Sounds like a pretty solid theory and I am sure it has its place but I dont think it would be very heavy. B)

[Rollerman 290]

Duke your welcome to come over & do the bounce test?

I'll bounce one of those 22X7.50's at ya & see if you can catch it. B)

[Kelly 1,030]

There is a pair of ags 23x 8.5 they say 100lbs each

[Audioshot 2]

Quite a few ice rinks have the Zamboni tires filled as well as the larger aircraft tugs. If you know the sizes, I have charts at work that give me the weight it will add to the tire wheel assembly based on the volume of the air chamber. If I remember the front 16x6.50-8" tires will add about 45lbs each, the 12" rears are between 65-75lbs (based on the 8.50/10.50 aspect ratio.

[Kelly 1,030]

And that is plus the weight of the tire and wheel correct???

[Audioshot 2]

Yeah, the resin is sold by weight. So the 8" fronts take 45 lbs of the flexfill. It's injected in via the valve stem (with the core removed) and you drill a small hole in the tread on the opposite side to vent the air out. Over time when the tread is worn off, you take a saw-zall with a long wood blade and cut down through the tread and sidewalls on opposite ends of the rim and the tire and fill come off the rims in two pieces. Sort of looks like a doughnut when you break it in half.

It's easy for a small tire, but sux for a larger 29.5-25 on a Cat 980.

[rick 245]

Okay, I'm sold on the "foam", I need to find somewhere to have it done!

[Audioshot 2]

Look up any large truck tire dealers that also do earth mover tires. Ask if they do the Arnco or other Polyurathane fill. There is a place in Plymouth, Ma but it's best to find a local place due to the heavy weight of the final product. Trust me, it almost messes with your head. It seems like they are filled with liquid lead, yet they still bounce.

[TunaSlayet 89]

Just got a price for 24x12x12 tire filled at the Sullivan tire commercial location in Plymouth. An impressive 89 lbs per tire at 210 dollars EACH!! Not for nothin, but you can typically buy cast iron for 1 dollar a pound. That is a little rich for my yankee blood. Are there any alternatives to the Arnco line of products? Or am I really going to pay 420 dollars for foam...