Foam filled tire

OldMachinist said:

There are two ways I've heard of to remove a foam filled tire. Using a sawzall and lots of labor or put them in a fire and burn them off. Of course burning tires is illegal in the USA and I would never recommend it.
To do it with a sawzall you have to start by cutting it in three or four places nearly down to the rim and then spread the cuts and start working the blade around the diameter of the rim to remove the sections. Then using a die grinder and carbide burr carefully cut the tire bead in a couple of places. Hopefully they coated the rim with release agent before foaming and it will come off. Expect to spend several hours per tire and go through many blades.
I've heard that there are places that will recap a foam filled tire right on the rim.

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Stephend said:

This is follow up to original question about cutting foamed filled tires from rims. Does the foam stick tight to the metal rim or do they install a liner between the rim and the foam? If there is not a liner would a power washer be powerful enough to remove the foam from the rim? Better yet if the tire casing were removed would the power washer be powerful enough to just cut the foam from the rim? Again thanks in advance for any help.

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OldMachinist said:

If the filling was done right they would have put a release agent coating on the rim to allow removal later. The term foam as it applies here is wrong as the material they use when cured becomes a solid rubber like material. This link has some pictures. http://urethanesolutionsofflorida.com/polytirefill.html

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Stephend said:

Your reply was very helpful but brings to mind an additional question. What type of blade would suggest to use with sawzall? A fine tooth such as for cutting metal or course blade such as for demolition work?

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OldMachinist said:

I would use a demolition blade so the teeth don't clog up and use something to lube it like detergent or old oil. Remember there are steel belts to cut in there. If you know someone with a metal cutting vertical band saw see if you can use it.

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Stephend said:

Thank you for your advice.

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sledesigns said:

I cut the tire off of a Z rated cycle tire with a sawzall. Lotsa steel belts. I tried a ripper demo blade but it grabbed whole steel cords and then shook but not much cutting. Switched to a fine tooth blade and away we went. When at the rim lips, pried the rubber away from it an continued sawing. For the edges and a steel rim you might try a touch of "torch" & a garden hose nearby. Though, unless the sidewalls are really gouged I found recaps to be similarly priced to new tires, then you have the foam advantage. A couple farmers I know slice tires on rocks & wish they had the foam, but quite costly.

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scsindust said:

I did mine with a sawzall and it prob took me a total of 2 hours. Once you get it cut close tto the rim, use a pry bar to pry up the bead, and cut it. It comes off pretty quick after th ebead is cut.

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Stephend said:

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I think I have a better chance now of not spending a life time of labor getting the tires cut off. I have checked into getting my tires recapped, they had been recapped by the owner before me. I was a green horn when I got the Bobcat and got some bad advice from a local. When I asked what to do about my worn tires he said just be keep using them until the tread is gone since they they were foam filled and could not be repaired. Little did know at the time I could have gotten recapped. I did not find this forum until it was too late, such is life. Again thanks for all the input.

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skidsteer.ca said:

If they have been around twice, a guy would want to check the casing real close to decide if they were worth doing again. Though they may well have been good enough. The cost of the foam exceeds that of a new tire. So I know I'm going to cap the set I have when the time comes.
How bad you want foam tires depends on how likely you are to get flats. Some applications require flat proofing, but most don't result in that many flats.
They only other downside to foam is the weight. Though sometimes this is benificial to if you want more counter weight too.
I guess your case has been decided, but I would recommend adding slime, www.slime.com if you are worried about small punctures resulting in flats.
Ken

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Gottagasit said:

I know this is an old thread, but I'm about to attempt foam removal on my L565 NH. I found this article online and wanted to share it. http://flatproofing.com/technical-tips/rim-salvaging/ I'll let you know how this works...hopefully worth saving a 120.00 wheel!

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