Flat Free tires went flat

[Skooterj]

So I have an old garden wagon I use to haul firewood from my wood pile to my firepit. I usually leave it parked on my firepit, a large octagonal concrete pad around a octagonal firepit. The wagon is old, and all the tires leaked. So I bought some Flat Free, solid Urethane tires to replace the leaky tires off Amazon. They are rated at 220 pounds per pair, so 440 pounds. Anyway, I went out to use the firepit last Saturday, and 3 of the 4 tires have a flat spot. Like a really deep flat spot. And they are not going away even though I rolled the now bouncing wagon around twice to refill it with firewood. And I had no where near 440 pounds on them.

So, does anyone have a suggestion for flat free wagon tires that actually stay round and work? 4.10/3.50-4 with 5/8th bore.

I'm so disappointed, I just put them on about 2 months ago.

 

[txvwnut]

What I have found is to not leave weight sitting on them. I left a veedub engine on my two wheeler which I have flat free tires on and it left flat spots in the tires. Took the weight off and gave it a few days the tires returned to normal. I did not get mine from amazon I got them from Northern Tool so your results may be different than mine.

 

[BrandonV]

So, does anyone have a suggestion for flat free wagon tires that actually stay round and work?

Any flat free tire is going to have this problem. In fact they're probably more apt to develop a flat spot than a pneumatic one.

Just try to make a habit like the other poster said of not leaving them under load.

 

[Skooterj]

The tires on my Zero Turn don't go flat, and they hold a lot more weight and sit for a months during the winter. Do they make those in a 4.10? I'm having no luck searching.

What about a Tweel?

https://www.northerntool.com/products/marathon-tires-flat-free-plastic-flex-wheel-with-rubber-tread-5-8in-bore-4-10-3-50-4in-50856#hotbar-qa

Or a caster?

7-10-0949

You're viewing caster wheel SKU 7-10-0949 on CasterConnection.com.This 10" Polyurethane Wheel has a 3" wheel width, a 3-1/4" diameter, and includes a Roller Bearing. Find more info on the specifications tab of this product.

casterconnection.com

 

[My Old Tools]

Try warming it with a heat gun and see if it pops back.

 

[CraigStu]

Dang, I went to a ton of effort to put flat free tires on my lawn vac last summer. I needed a different size axle which needed different size mounts, spacers, washers etc. About $250 for all of it. It has been sitting since Nov 2023. I will check it tomorrow and hope I don't need to jack it up onto blocks.

 

[rlitman]

... I bought some Flat Free, solid Urethane tires to replace the leaky tires off Amazon...

Urethane foam is ostensibly closed cell, but in reality it leaks. With poly-iso insulation (a related but slightly different product), the blowing agent helps keep the R value up, but that eventually ends up replaced by air over the course of several years, so the initial R value drops.

The pressure on those flat spots led to the foam collapsing. If the tires are fairly new, they might come back on their own if you take the weight off and give it some time. Heating it up might speed up that process by softening the thermoplastic while it springs back to place and allows air back in.

Long-term, I've had shoes stored in the closet in the original packaging for 20 or so years, and have had the urethane soles crumble to dust. Same as the urethane in my old orange Snap On dead blow hammers. But that takes time, heat, moisture, and a bad urethane formulation to begin with, so that's not a concern for you just yet.

 

[JABgj]

Contact the seller for a refund. Bought 4 FF tires from Harbor Freight for my wagon and they flat spotted pretty quick. They were 2 weeks out of warranty and the store wouldn't help. Called HF customer service, on a Saturday, and got a gift card for full purchase price.
Replaced the FF's with pneumatics.

 

[ATC]

Our generator (HF Predator) has the handle and wheel kit with flat free tires. Well, they are flat spotted too

 

[Skooterj]

Thinking of trying the "Tweels" from Northern Tool. But damn, they are expensive for a firewood cart. $40 each. I think I paid $100 for the wagon 25 years ago.

 

[alfadan]

Sounds like you have a case!

 

[PopcornSutton]

I bought a wheel barrow from Lowes, a double wheel model so my wife could use it (that was wishful thinking). Had stickers on both sides of the tub "FLAT FREE TIRES". Both of them went flat, not all the way flat, but certainly enough where it was difficult to roll. I put air in them via the stem. They filled them with something, but not enough.

 

[Skooterj]

I bought a wheel barrow from Lowes, a double wheel model so my wife could use it (that was wishful thinking). Had stickers on both sides of the tub "FLAT FREE TIRES". Both of them went flat, not all the way flat, but certainly enough where it was difficult to roll. I put air in them via the stem. They filled them with something, but not enough.

My Flat Free tires do not have stems. They are airless. I thought solid, but are actually foam? filled. And I guess when they sit too long in on position, they get flat spots. I pull it with my tractor, so I'd rather have half-filled tires than these flat spots.

 

[ybnormal]

flat free? what's the complaint? you got your flats free, just as promised

 

[niget2002]

My wheelbarrow that I bought many many years ago has the airless tire on it. I've always stored the wheelbarrow upside down. The tire is still round.

I was considering putting similar tires on my 1000lb garden cart. It seems like anytime I need it, the tires need air.

 

[nadogail]

Sometimes Steel wheels are the best solution for ease of rolling and minimum maintenance.

Railroads have been using them almost forever.

 

[Skooterj]

Sometimes Steel wheels are the best solution for ease of rolling and minimum maintenance.

Railroads have been using them almost forever.

Yeah, but I pull this wagon across my yard, through grass. Sometimes wet grass. And it sits outside 24/7/365. And may not get used for months with snow on the ground.