Did a little more digging:
- The Wiki page on methanol confirms that's it's colorless but that it also tastes like ethanol (i.e. hard liquor). There was no taste, hence, probably no methanol in the tires when I got it and before I replaced most of it with the water/RV antifreeze mix.
- I called the 2nd previous owner who bought the tractor new back in 2005. In Florida. Leesburg, FL, to be exact. He was able to confirm that the tractor did come with filled tires but could not tell me filled with what. [The guy is the epitome of technically-challenged, so surprised not one bit].
- The 1st previous owner did confirm for me that the rear tires were filled, but that it came that way from the previous owner (2nd previous to me). He also did not know filled with what. [Note: At the time of this conversation, I had no idea that you filled tractor tires with liquid. This conversation led me to investigate the various materials on the web, primarily OTT). Also note, that the 1st previous owner died before I could have a 2nd conversation with him and before we actually closed on our property.
Now, anyone want to guess the probability of a central FL Kubota tractor dealer using anything but water to fill tractor tires? Serious question: I have no idea. Anyone in FL here know or care to speculate?
Thanks,