Rim Guard ballast and rubber valve stems?

[Mustard Tiger]

Took delivery of a BX23S yesterday and had Rim Guard ballast added to the rear tires.

I noticed that they used the stock rubber valve stems. Mentioned this to the employee that dropped off the tractor and he said that's just what they do there. When you go to Rim Guard's website under the FAQ section it states the following:

For what I paid to add the Rim Guard for such small tires I would have guessed it included replacing the rubber valve stems with brass. Have read about a few accounts where the tractor owner went to air up their tires that had ballast and rubber valve stems and the valve stem core blows out.

Should I mention this to dealer and ask why they didn't also replace the original rubber valve stems when adding ballast?

 

[Old Machinist]

I would insist that the dealer verify the valve stems are compatible or replace them at no charge. If they are going to sell and install something they should be responsible for doing it correctly.

I don't use rubber valve stems on anything that a metal one will fit in. I have had too many of them fail with just air and age.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Like my cat, I'm curious ,, as to why you added ballast as Kubota specifically says to NOT do so ,when the backhoe is on the tractor. If you have the MMM, generally lighter is better for grass cutting, lest you have 'hills' to mow.

 

[rgk66]

Had same issue with my BX when bought new, 2013. Dealer said no problem, Rimguard said they would fail, and they did 3 years later. Replaced with Colby Valve company extra short brass valve stems. I used Colby because they can be inserted without removing or breaking down the tire. Have had no problems since, approximately 8 years now

 

[Shawn T. W]

as Kubota specifically says to NOT do so ,when the backhoe is on the tractor

I'm a curious cat too

Do they explain WHY?

Do they suggest steel wheel weights instead?

 

[Old Machinist]

I'm a curious cat too

Do they explain WHY?

Do they suggest steel wheel weights instead?

I'm sure it's due to the extra weight of the backhoe.

My 4310 manual even says not to have liquid ballast on a cab model if the front end loader is mounted. Go figure?

 

[Shawn T. W]

Seems strange to me, as I've always thought more weight was generally better ... Most of the weight of filled tires is on the ground, not the frame ...

Seems like a pain in the rear to have to install or remove the liquid ballast for most people all the time ... I might switch out my backhoe twice a day ... !

Steel wheel weights would be easier, but not easy on bigger than a SCUT.

 

[Old Machinist]

In my original post I wasn't aware it was a model that came with a backhoe. His dealer shouldn't have even sold him the rimguard IMO.

 

[Mustard Tiger]

Like my cat, I'm curious ,, as to why you added ballast as Kubota specifically says to NOT do so ,when the backhoe is on the tractor. If you have the MMM, generally lighter is better for grass cutting, lest you have 'hills' to mow.

Dealer recommended it for my terrain and uses. Also never going to use a MMM.

 

[Mustard Tiger]

In my original post I wasn't aware it was a model that came with a backhoe. His dealer shouldn't have even sold him the rimguard IMO.

I'll have to look at the Operator's Manual.

Funny how the dealer was very serious about NOT adding wheel spacers, but was ready pushing the Rim Guarst ballast for the rear tires.

EDIT: found it in the Operator' Manual. Guess I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Took delivery of a BX23S yesterday and had Rim Guard ballast added to the rear tires.

I noticed that they used the stock rubber valve stems. Mentioned this to the employee that dropped off the tractor and he said that's just what they do there. When you go to Rim Guard's website under the FAQ section it states the following:

View attachment 157792

For what I paid to add the Rim Guard for such small tires I would have guessed it included replacing the rubber valve stems with brass. Have read about a few accounts where the tractor owner went to air up their tires that had ballast and rubber valve stems and the valve stem core blows out.

Should I mention this to dealer and ask why they didn't also replace the original rubber valve stems when adding ballast?

The rubber valve stems are fine and the cores simply coming out would be rather Impossible too.
The seal on the core on most rubber and steel valve stems are the same core.
The 2 piece valve stems just make installing liquid easier and faster, they still use the same valve core.
Rim Guard does not affect the rubber at all.
And if your worried about the core leaking buy premium teflon valve cores.
Another FYI: the inside of that rubber valve core is a brass valve stem, so simply replacing them with "metal valve stems does nothing fo you on the basis of Improving the core.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

@MT, the dealer should replace your rears with new ones, free of charge since he never READ THE MANUAL of what he SELLS !!!
My BH has been on for 7 years used on all sorts of terrain,some 'questionable...,no issues. Since you don't have the MMM ( same as me) , get rid of the rimguarded tires.
IF you do take off the BH, say for a lot of loader work, you do need a counter balance, I suggest buying a cheap(TSC) 'carryall' and make up 2 skids with boxes, one heavy, one light. Choose the one for the task at hand, moving mulch, go light, gravel, go heavy.
This way, less stress on the machine.Also EASY to get on an off.

 

[rgk66]

If you have rubber valve stems that are made for liquid and air they will work fine. If they are standard air only you may have future issues, depending on how well the brass core adheres to the rubber stem.

This is what Rim Guard states on the issue.

 

[McMXi]

I'll have to look at the Operator's Manual.

Funny how the dealer was very serious about NOT adding wheel spacers, but was ready pushing the Rim Guarst ballast for the rear tires.

EDIT: found it in the Operator' Manual. Guess I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow.

View attachment 157840

That highlighted bullet is ridiculous and completely impractical, just as removing wheel weights is impractical. I ran beet juice in the rear tires of the BX25 I had for 5 years without any issues, regardless of whether the backhoe was on or not. The local dealer installs beet juice in all tractor rear tires regardless of configuration.

A BX rear tire at 75% fill holds about 90 lb of beet juice, so that's 180 lb all in. Hardly a game changer, and the only logic to that comment that I can think of is that Kubota figured that with the FEL maxed out, the backhoe on and 75% filled rear tires, the overall weight of the tractor might be hard to stop on a decline of X degrees. This seems more like some legal disclaimer more than anything.

 

[RCW]

I think a lot of dealers normally load rears with RimGuard, whether equipped with a backhoe or not.

When I bought my BX2360 12 years ago, it came with RimGuard and rubber stems.

They said they did that for all tractors equipped with a loader, and I didn't pay extra for it (that I recall).

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I would expect that the valves that Kubota installs on their rims are rated for rimguard ,asit seems a lot of dealers do fill the tires ?? If thy're not, I'd expect the dealer to install the proper valvestems at filling time.

I know none of my tires have beet juice in them.

 

[Old Machinist]

Bought my tractor used and discovered the dealer filled the rear tires with a weak solution of antifreeze and water. It's not even strong enough to prevent freezing. I called the selling dealer and the service manager confirmed that was what they filled all the tires with.

I can see a dealers selling loaded tires as an add on if for no other reason than more revenue.