Tubes in tubeless tyres (not road going)

[aesmith]

I'm speaking about small garden equipment, ride on mower sort of sizes. Where these have tubeless tyres at the moment, but are being a complete pain in the ****, would it be a stupid idea to fit tubes? I believe it's a no no for road vehicles but don't think I've seen the reason.

Thanks.

 

[bricol]

There is no rule to sya you can't fit tubes in tubeless road tyres - only recommendations. Obvious ones, such as the wheel must be suited to it - no internal projections etc that would puncture the tube.
Only in tubeless tyres with a series or aspect ratio equal or higher than 70, i.e. 185/70 x 14 would be ok, 185/65x14 would not. Only in tubeless tyres with a speed symbol equal or lower than V (max speed 149mph).

Plenty of the trials guys use them - I've stopped as if I punctured, it punctured the tube anyway - I didn't see a benefit.

I sorted some small leaky tubeless tyres by shoving some puncture gunk in aerosol in them - 15 yrs later, they still remain up, with only occasional, every couple of years, top-ups of air.

 

[Wildefalcon]

I had a similar issue with lawn tractor tyres. Like @bricol I put a can of tyre inflator gunk into them. That worked for years.

 

[aesmith]

Cheers, on the pain in the **** list at the moment I have a ride on mower where both front tyres used to need pumping up every time I used it. After several goes with aerosol gunk (Holts "tyreweld") one now stays inflated, the other one doesn't.

Then there’s another machine where the tyre deflates when it's been sitting and this time it simply won't reseat even after cleaning up everything. The beads go onto the flat but nothing I have tried will get them pushed firmly against the side.

And another ride on where the front tyre is perished so needs to be replaced anyway.

 

[addjunkie]

I had a similar issue with lawn tractor tyres. Like @bricol I put a can of tyre inflator gunk into them. That worked for years.

Yea I do similar with quad trailers and the like. Works well till the tyre is well beyond its usable life.

 

[RichardM]

If you decide to put a tube in it just check for ribs on the inside of the tyre, they may need sanding down.

 

[Nomad]

My ride on mower had a flat back tyre every time I went to use it.
Eventually fixed by removing the wheel, inflating it and submerging in a tub of water to trace the leak.
Mark the leak, remove the tyre...
The rim was pressed steel and the welded seam had some corrosion, clean & mig, grind it flat, primer the repair then topcoat the area.
It's stayed up for the the couple of years since I fixed it.


Now I just need to sort out the electrics + fuel system + lift / lowering linkages + more ....

 

[8ob]

Cheers, on the pain in the **** list at the moment I have a ride on mower where both front tyres used to need pumping up every time I used it. After several goes with aerosol gunk (Holts "tyreweld") one now stays inflated, the other one doesn't.

Then there’s another machine where the tyre deflates when it's been sitting and this time it simply won't reseat even after cleaning up everything. The beads go onto the flat but nothing I have tried will get them pushed firmly against the side.

And another ride on where the front tyre is perished so needs to be replaced anyway.

As suggested above use some decent tyre goo, Oko is very good. Stick half a pint in each tyre and you will never have another problem.

Bob

 

[Turbo]

Use proper tyre sealant.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-S...1544087116-B09417JT3L-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

This stuff can dry out and become ineffective over time, especially when the vehicle sits still for long periods of time.

You can add fresh stuff every year but it can build up into useless lumps. It is a good idea to occasionally remove the tyre, wash out the old stuff and fill with fresh stuff.

But sometimes that isn't enough on lawn tractors so you can fit a tube.