Thorny Problem in Front Tires

JW Axtell · Aug 24, 2008

I have been clearing/mowing brush with an old Ford Jubilee. Unfortunately a good one third of the brush is thorn apple. Those pesky thorns are embedding themselves in my front tires causing slow leaks. The tires appear to be the standard ribbed agricultural type with tubes. Any advice or hints on how to stop this or at least limit it some?

jimNCal · Aug 24, 2008

You can slow it down by putting fluid or Slime in the fronts OR, you can end flats for good by filling the fronts solid, with a 'foam rubber'.
I had this done to ALL of the small tires on my place, from wheelbarrows, to riding mowers, to wagons, hand trucks, etc.

I get it done at a local forklift repair shop and it has been worth EVERY penny. NO more lost daylight or $ due to a flat.

JoshuaGA · Aug 24, 2008

Anyone know of a good DIY kit?

JoshuaGA

cadet trooper · Aug 24, 2008

I feel your pain ran into that many years ago just mowing hay up next to our woods with thorny Locust I had a piece in my knee for a few years after fixing a tire in the shade. IMHO here's what I would do write these tires off when you're through because you may have several working there way in to the casing so over time it will be an ongoing problem. Now please forgive me Iatireguy but I would pump in a can of that tire goop knowing your tire guy will give you a ration of crap for doing it but you make them feel better if you buy a fresh set of front tires when you're done. BTW watch those rear tires too I don't know about thorny apple but with thorny locust you can run your hand over the tire and feel them sticking out. I would think about either finding number one a crawler with 3pt hitch and pto number two a heavy duty brush hog pull type with ratchet height adjust for a crawler with just pto and along with number two and old steel wheel tractor that will get er done. I would do this in the late fall (Indian summer) while they are dry and breakup easier so they can rot away by spring or soon. Good Luck CT

Dave BN · Aug 24, 2008

I was going to suggest filling the tires with foam like jimNCal says. Pricy, but no more flats. Dave

msb · Aug 24, 2008

Take an old inner tube and split it on the inner circumfrence and use it as a liner between the tube and tire. The thorns will be deflected by the liner and never penetrate the tube. Gemplers sell liners for that very purpose but it is easier and cheaper to make your own .Just cut the valve stem off and cut out about 2 inches of the inner circle.

www.gemplers.com

DR Darren · Aug 24, 2008

that foam rubber, does it get rock hard or retain a little flexibility to retain smooth ride or flexibility of the front tires when your turning?

thurlow · Aug 24, 2008

Used airplane tires; there's a place in Houston that sells them, either mounted or just the tire; never have a flat again. The name has escaped me (CRS disease), but someone else will know..............

jimNCal · Aug 24, 2008

It's kinda soft actually. Not as giving as air but, definitely not rock hard. You can make a lump of it give if you squeeze it in your hand and it'll breakup if rubbed against rough wood.
Best money I've ever spend on any of my equipment.

larry cook · Aug 24, 2008

went tubeless on my fronts on my 640, put a quart of slime in each. no problems now, was having alot of flats due to mesquite thorns.
larry cook

larry cook · Aug 24, 2008

google gensco aircraft tires. used them on peanut trailers and never had any problems
larry cook

GA Dave · Aug 24, 2008

I don't know how big an area you are clearing but I had about a two acre spot that they were thick in. I walked it marking them with orange tape. My neighbor cut them with a chain saw and I paid a few of my grandchildren to pull them all into one place. Yep, I furnished the gloves too. Then I bushhogged with no problem. David........

Anonymous-0 · Aug 24, 2008

I know it is a Jubilee and it probably has real narrow tires on the front but, maybe try some used 10 ply truck tires or some old forklift tires I think that some of them are atleast 12 ply!

T_Bone · Aug 25, 2008

Hi JW,

I agree, get the "green Slime with fibers" (brand name) as they will plug a 1/4" hole in a tire, about $32gal delivered. Works on both tube and tubeless tires.

We use this in AZ for cactus thorns and it works very well. After hitting a catus, you have two choices, green Slime or replace the tire and tube.

T_Bone

Anonymous-0 · Aug 25, 2008

If you've got the room to do this, here is what I've seen the orchards do: Cut the bead and part of the sidewall off'n an old scrap tire that will fit over the outside of the tire on your tractor. Deflate your tire, install this ersatz tire shield over your tire, re inflate, and your done!

massey harris steve · Aug 25, 2008

Many many moons ago when I was in high school, i worked after school at a local gas station that did a large tire business. did a lot of tire repair for the state highway dept.. kept me busy fixing flats with thorns. Good job security I guess

Anonymous-0 · Aug 25, 2008

After spending 20+ years owning the local tire shop I can tell you there is only 1 solution to your problem. That is ,take the tires to your local tire shop and have them foam filled. The green slime, unless they have changed it in the past year, is not a cure for flats with thorns. It will slow down the leaks but will not fix them. Splitting a innertube and putting it over your other tube does nothing, except cause you a lot of labor to install it.

Thorny Problem in Front Tires

JW Axtell

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jimNCal

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JoshuaGA

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cadet trooper

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Dave BN

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msb

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DR Darren

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thurlow

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jimNCal

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larry cook

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larry cook

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GA Dave

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Anonymous-0

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T_Bone

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Anonymous-0

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massey harris steve

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Anonymous-0

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