Foamed Tires

[Day Radebaugh]

I do a lot of pasture management work with my Roxor and would like to try to minimize flat tires as much as possible. The plan would be to "foam" the tires, which involves injecting a rubber compound into them and eliminating the air. There are two questions that arise. First, will the spindles and the other suspension components handle a large increase in weight? Second, would these aluminum rims that I have be able to seal all this gunk inside?

Opinions appreciated.

 

[txroadkill]

Definitely be more weight and maintenance as a result. Will it work? I don’t know but I think it would. If you need stronger spindles torque king had some they made. Only way to find out is to do it and see what issue pop up. Not sure how much heavier you’d be but factor that in as well if you’re ever spraying in wet pastures. I bet you’d be adding at least 200 lbs if not more to your total weight. If it was me I’d opt to do the liquid seal products like slime to reduce weight as well as make it easier to change tires in the future. From what I understand once they’re foam filled you’re pretty much stuck with the tire on the rim permanently.

 

[Arizona Johnny]

Another available option would be an internal bead lock that can be used with your wheel. Coyote Enterprises makes a bolt less internal bead lock. Especially an airbag within the wheel. Here is the link, hope it is helpful. https://www.coyoteents.com/beadlocks/

 

[lcp]

I considered the same thing and discussed it with a friend of mine that owns a local tractor dealership and offers the foam filling. He advised against it due to the added weight, difficulty in changing tires when they're worn, and the rough ride. He said I'd be better off pumping a liquid tire sealer in them like I've been doing. The main problem we have here is mesquite thorn punctures. I've always used slime, but there may be better ones available.

 

[AZROX]

I would not inject anything into tires to make them "solid". The tires will never balance. If your machine is just creeping down a pasture, that's probably not a concern. Even at 10-15 mph, however, the machine might ride as if you had egg shaped wheels mounted.

Why don't you look for 16 inch skid steer, loader, or tractor tires? Just have a local shop tell you if they fit the rim. There are also a number of guys on YouTube who run tractor tires on their Roxor (mud buggy). I'm sure they would respond if you messaged them.
You can find loader tires for about the same price as an equivalent size pickup tire. Ebay has always some surplus tires listed.
Loader tires are made for low speed, but that seems ok for your use case.

At the speeds you go over pastures, I would not worry about weight as long as it is balanced (as in a commercially produced tire). If you go down the road, weight does matter.

 

[txroadkill]

It would help with the weight but not be good for high speed road driving but if he could find some used tractor/skid steer tires that have some age not only will they be thicker plys helping with the punctures but generally those old tires have really hard rubber which will also help them when it comes to punctures. Maybe some old hard tires with a tube inside to help hold the air (thinking bead and maybe minor dry rot leaks, just a precautionary measure) would be the hot ticket to fill his needs.

 

[Day Radebaugh]

Definitely be more weight and maintenance as a result. Will it work? I don’t know but I think it would. If you need stronger spindles torque king had some they made. Only way to find out is to do it and see what issue pop up. Not sure how much heavier you’d be but factor that in as well if you’re ever spraying in wet pastures. I bet you’d be adding at least 200 lbs if not more to your total weight. If it was me I’d opt to do the liquid seal products like slime to reduce weight as well as make it easier to change tires in the future. From what I understand once they’re foam filled you’re pretty much stuck with the tire on the rim permanently.

That's a good suggestion, thanks. We use a lot of slime out here on the farm.

 

[Day Radebaugh]

Another available option would be an internal bead lock that can be used with your wheel. Coyote Enterprises makes a bolt less internal bead lock. Especially an airbag within the wheel. Here is the link, hope it is helpful. https://www.coyoteents.com/beadlocks/

Thanks!!! Was unaware of this.

 

[Day Radebaugh]

I would not inject anything into tires to make them "solid". The tires will never balance. If your machine is just creeping down a pasture, that's probably not a concern. Even at 10-15 mph, however, the machine might ride as if you had egg shaped wheels mounted.

Why don't you look for 16 inch skid steer, loader, or tractor tires? Just have a local shop tell you if they fit the rim. There are also a number of guys on YouTube who run tractor tires on their Roxor (mud buggy). I'm sure they would respond if you messaged them.
You can find loader tires for about the same price as an equivalent size pickup tire. Ebay has always some surplus tires listed.
Loader tires are made for low speed, but that seems ok for your use case.

At the speeds you go over pastures, I would not worry about weight as long as it is balanced (as in a commercially produced tire). If you go down the road, weight does matter.

Excellent. Thanks very much. I'll look into tractor tires.

 

[Day Radebaugh]

I considered the same thing and discussed it with a friend of mine that owns a local tractor dealership and offers the foam filling. He advised against it due to the added weight, difficulty in changing tires when they're worn, and the rough ride. He said I'd be better off pumping a liquid tire sealer in them like I've been doing. The main problem we have here is mesquite thorn punctures. I've always used slime, but there may be better ones available.

Came across this stuff, which is possibly the industrial strength version of Slime. This seems to be the way to go, at least for a first step.

Tractor Tire Sealant - Tire Protection Kit

TireJect™ tire sealant is the highest rated tire sealant on the market! We engineered the TireJect formula with liquid rubber, recycled tire particles and Dupont Kevlar (Aramid fibers) to outperform our competitors in every aspect; starting with superior puncture performance and ending with easy...

www.tireject.com

 

[ramrod]

Don't know if these would work for you ,been around for years ,but expensive

Michelin Motorcycle Tires 43096 Michelin X Tweel UTV Tires | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Michelin X Tweel UTV Tires with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Powersports Wheel Packages at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[Day Radebaugh]

Don't know if these would work for you ,been around for years ,but expensive

Michelin Motorcycle Tires 43096 Michelin X Tweel UTV Tires | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Michelin X Tweel UTV Tires with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Powersports Wheel Packages at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Yes, I looked at these, and could not find the sizes I was looking for. If I could find the right size tire, I think I'd bite the bullet and be done with it.

 

[Harvey Cannon]

Liquid tube, the brand name. It cost more but really works great. Been using it a long time now and won't dustup your rims.

 

[Dan H.]

Foam works great in tractor tires but I do not think it would be good for the roxor. Too much weight and balance issues. Try a better tire. Maybe think of having a ranch set and play set of tires?

 

[lcp]

I just bought my 2018 and it came with these tires. They aren't good for street use, but they provide great offroad traction and the sidewalls are stiff as hell and that might indicate a thickness that makes them pretty resistant to getting poked.

P78X16C (32X8.50x16) Buckshot Mudder Bias Ply BSW - Maxxis Tire

Find the best brands on National Tire & Wheel for Off Road Tires, Off road Wheels & Accessories for 4x4 Trucks, SUV, and Jeep Vehicles at the best price. Check out now!

ntwonline.com

 

[1BB]

I wouldn't do that. If it worked, the military would do it. The last thing they want, it a flat tire in a hot combat zone. The Russians tried this back in the 80's, but quickly learned that the tires absorb A LOT of ground vibration, that now was transferred up into the vehicles drive train, and caused huge problems with very expensive break downs.

If I was you, I'd get one of these air compressors in an ammo can, that have a tire plug kit in it. They're great, and have a long duty cycle, and air up a truck tire VERY quickly. Make or buy an ammo can mount, and leave it on your Roxor all the time.

Air Armor M240

The Air Armor M420 12V Off-Road Air Compressor is your best tail gunner on the trails. It's 30 AMP, 150 PSI, 3500 Cu In output is great for Trucks, Jeeps, ATVs, & 4x4s

specialopstools.com

 

[lcp]

I have one of these compressors and, in certain circumstances, I carry it in the back of the vehicle I'm in along with a tire plugging kit. It puts out a good amount of air and can even run an impact wrench in short bursts. Mine is close to 20 years old and still doing good.

Puma PD1006 3/4-HP 1.5-Gallon 12-Volt Continuous Duty DC Air Compressor

Buy Puma PD1006 Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Puma 3/4-HP 1.5-Gallon 12-Volt Continuous Duty DC Air Compressor ratings before checking out.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

 

[Day Radebaugh]

Eventually went with these guys:

Tire Sealant | Instant Puncture & Hole Repair - OKO USA

OKO's tire sealant is trusted in the USA and over 80 countries worldwide. Seal holes as you drive and extend tire life by 20%.

okotiresealants.com

Good product, great to deal with.

 

[AZROX]

Thanks for sharing and keep us posted on the effectiveness of the product.

 

[rkoffroad]

I didn't think foam filled worked for anything outside slow moving vehicles. Once it gets a flat/soft spot it's going to be a PITA.