Tractor tire valve stem

Magicman · January 16, 2025, 02:33:33 PM

I need to replace the valve stem on a tractor rear tire. 14.9-28 on a 13" rim.

I would rather DIY replace it rather than remove the wheel/tire and haul it to a tire shop. I realize that the stem is two piece with the "valve core" portion unscrewing from the portion that is mounted in the rim. Problem is that the core portion will not budge.

I would like to know my options before I "strong arm" it.

Magicman · January 16, 2025, 03:05:31 PM

This was simple enough even without any responses.

I went back out, squirted some Bluecreeper, let it set a bit and got the Channel Locks out. It did not take much strong arming before it popped loose. Now, I will buy a new tractor stem and use the top portion to fix my problem and be able to air the tire.

Jeff · January 16, 2025, 03:16:43 PM

I Wish I had on-demand bluecreeper. Maybe a reservoir built into a leatherman tool with the flipout needle applicator.

Jim_Rogers · January 17, 2025, 09:41:35 AM

Blue creeper rescue again.
I went and got two 40 lbs bags of water softener salt from the store. And I had to get them from the van to the laundry room. That means going up several stairs into the laundry room door.
Normally, I use a two-wheel hand truck to walk them one at a time up the stairs.
The first trip I noticed that only one wheel on the hand truck was turning. I thought that but just using it the other wheel would "loosen up". It did not.
So, before the second trip I applied some blue creeper to the axle bearing or axle itself and worked the rim back and forth until it spun as it should.
Second trip up the stairs was much easier.
Jim Rogers

Magicman · January 17, 2025, 10:09:57 AM

I am not gonna do anything until I have a new stem in hand.

This rear tire has always been a bit low since I bought this tractor but I was not able to check the pressure nor add air. I suspect that it has "slime" or something in it which has gunked the stem/core. I may even have to sorta rod the portion out that is in the tire, but as I stated above, nothing happens until I have the fix in my hand.

Dave Shepard · January 17, 2025, 11:33:19 AM

I have potassium in my backhoe tires. Heavier and less corrosive than calcium, but replacing the water valves is still a regular occurrence. Outriggers on the backhoe make it fairly simple.

Magicman · January 17, 2025, 10:06:33 PM

I went to Conquest Parts today and got a replacement valve so this one is fixed.

I then searched and found 10 replacement cores for $10.05 including tax & shipping so I have this tire situation covered.

Brad_bb · January 17, 2025, 10:36:04 PM

Was this the style you were replacing? No tube?

Are your rears liquid filled with either CaCl, Beet Juice, or Potassium? If so you may need to have them pumped out by a mobile ag tire truck or take them in. I had one of my tractor's rear tires pumped out last summer. I don't need that extra weight in the rear end.

Machinebuilder · January 18, 2025, 07:32:16 AM

I have the local Coop work on my tractor tires.

My rears are filled with a methanol/water mix, its not corrosive like the Calcium.

Beat Juice is supposed to be heavier and more anti freeze but its not offered here.

Greenie · January 18, 2025, 08:16:29 AM

I was pushing snowbanks back along a 1.5 mile road - repetitive back and forth motions - I started seeing black in the snow where I had just been. My first thought was dog ---- I ran over, but it showed up every few feet, following me and didn't smell like dog ----. Beet juice loaded into the rear tractor tire was leaking out. The previous owner had selected beet juice. Next I called a tire shop and asked "do you load tractor tires"? , "sure" they said. When I went to pick up the repaired tire one guy helped me put the tire in the pickup... By "load tractor tires" they thought I meant load into the back of the truck. The remaining contents they drained off and lost. Ugh. Beet juice in tractor tires isn't inexpensive.

thecfarm · January 18, 2025, 08:31:33 AM

Thet should have known what a loaded tire is.

Magicman · January 18, 2025, 08:46:38 AM

I do not run loaded tires and this is the first time that I have had a stem failure and it had failed before I bought the tractor. It did not have a cap on it which I am sure contributed/caused the failure.

I bought what was available which was the entire stem assembly but only needed the top core portion. I may never need another but last evening I ordered a package of 10 cores for less than I paid for the stem yesterday.

Machinebuilder · January 19, 2025, 07:44:18 AM

You made sure that you'll never need another one.

And if you do you won't remember where your spares are.

Magicman · January 19, 2025, 07:56:35 AM

You are very correct Dave. This is the first/only time that I have ever had a stem failure and it was there when I bought the tractor. Who knows, there are 8 of those stems between the two tractors.

My Dad always used loaded tires because he needed the extra traction farming. The only drawback was when there was a flat. Handling a loaded tire without a FEL was always a struggle and then it took a couple of hours to drain the tire to fix a flat.

We would never freeze here so only water was used. Loaded tires certainly ride smoother.