Ballast Filling tires for added wieght

[tractorboy5500]

I would like to fill my tractor tires with water for added weight, what is the best and cheapest way to do this, i will be adding 61 gal to each tire. some people use washer fluid and coolant, and i heard of rim guard, but not sure where to get it, or how much it will cost. thanks for any help.

 

[CharlieR]

Try Gempler's for some ideas.
GEMPLER'S - Official Site - Safety Supplies, Carhartt, Horticulture Supplies & Much More

 

[beenthere]

I suppose you have to go north a ways to get ww fluid.

To add the fluid, whatever you decide, lay the tire down on its side (valve stem up!), break the bead on top, and pour in the fluid. Raise the tire with blocks to close the bead, and add air to desired pressure. Tilt up and put back on tractor.

Likely need some help moving the tire with about 500# of fluid, so be careful doing it.

 

[tractorboy5500]

Guess that would be better, laying the tire down, puring about 60 gals of washer fluild in tire.

 

[tractorboy5500]

Can anyone tell me where i can buy a drum of washer fluid. I live in the Houston area.

 

[tawilson]

Wouldn't be easier to leave the tire on the tractor and pump it in? $30-40 at TSC will buy you the adapter and a pump. I've filled mine a few times this way using calcium chloride.

 

[beenthere]

Can anyone tell me where i can buy a drum of washer fluid. I live in the Houston area.

Not sure about the drum availability in the Houston area, as might not be a call for business's buying 55 gal at a time. With the cold, might be a shortage on ww fluid around there now too.

Here in s. WI, when I went after a drum of ww fluid, learned that it was priced the same as per gallon size. No savings, just more convenient. Bought our drum at Weaver Auto, and see there is one in Houston. Also, check with Walmart, or some place like that, to see if they will sell you a pallet or partial pallet of gallon jugs.

Good luck on the job/task.

 

[HCJ]

How cold does it get there? Here in S.C., temps rarely get below 20, so I do not need the same protection someone as someone farther north. My tires on my M-6800 Kubota have tubes. Filling them was easy. Buy the hose adapter from Gemplers (cost about $15) Mix antifreeze and water in a large trash can. Use a small pump to draw this solution and a hose with the adapter to fill your tires. (I used a small Honda gas punp) Keep the wheel on the tractor with the valve stem at 12:00. Support the rear axel with a jack stand. Remove the valve stem core (which lets the air out) and attach the hose adapter. Start pumping following the directions on the adapter to release built up pressure frequently. Fill the tire until it is full, then remove the hose and drain any excess until the fluid is flush with the stem. Reinstall the stem core and reinflate with air. You are done. My bead did unseat, but reseated with air pressure. I think I used about 5 gallons of regular antifreeze per tire.

 

[Eagleview]

I would like to fill my tractor tires with water for added weight, what is the best and cheapest way to do this, i will be adding 61 gal to each tire. some people use washer fluid and coolant, and i heard of rim guard, but not sure where to get it, or how much it will cost. thanks for any help.

Does it get below freezing where you are ? If not , just use tap water like we all do . Put the valve stem at about 10 o'clock , remove the valve , push the garden hose over the stem and use a hose clamp to hold it on . Block the tractor so the rim does not contact the ground while the tyre is flat . Turn on the water , wait for the tractor to stop rising and unclip the hose from the tap . A bit of water will be expelled and then the air will come out . When water comes out , clip the hose back on the tap and turn back on again . Two or three goes usually sees the tyre/tire filled to the valve level . Top up the pressure with compressed air .

 

[bindian]

I bought a hose adapter to fit my valve stems at Top Flight in Conroe. It was under $15 dollars. I haven't used it yet, but I am sure it beats taking the tire off and busting the rim and adding fluid. Just thinking about picking up that weight makes me glad I have a backhoe for those lifting jobs.
Here is a chart for tire size .vs weight .vs gallons. It isn't in a good format, but PM me and I can email a easier chart to understand.
hugs, Brandi
Liquid Tire Ballast

The following table represents the weight achieved by filling the tire 75% full (valve level) with water.
Use of chemical agents to prevent freezing will affect the weight.

Farm Tractor Tires (Turf tires can be found below this chart)
TIRE SIZE GALLONS OF WATER ADDED WEIGHT (lbs.) PER TIRE
4.00-12 2 17
4.00-15 2.5 21
4.00-19 3 25
5.00-15 3.5 29
5.50-16 5 42
6.00-12 4.5 37
6.00-14 5 41
6.00-16 6 50
6.50-16 7 58
7.50-10 6 50
7.5L-15 8 66
7.50-16 9 75
7.50-18 10 83
7.50-20 11 92
9.00-10 9 75
9.5L-15 11 92
9.50-20 18 150
9.50-24 20 167
10.00-16 17 142
11.00-12 18 150
11L-15 13 108
11.00-16 23 192
11L-16 15 123
14L-16.1 27 225
16.5L-16.1 42 346
7.2-24 9 75
7.50-16 9 75
8.3-24 13 108
9.5-16 12 100
9.5-24 17 142
9.5-36 25 209
9.5-42 29 242
10-16.5 12 97
11.2-24 24 200
11.2-28 27 225
11.2-34 33 275
11.2-36 35 292
11.2-38 36 300
12.4-16 21 175
12.4-24 30 250
12.4-28 35 292
12.4-36 44 367
12.4-38 46 384
12.4-42 51 425
13.6-24 38 317
13.6-26 40 334
13.6-28 43 359
13.6-38 57 475
14.9-24 47 392
14.9-26 48 400
14.9-28 53 442
14.9-30 57 475
14.9-36 64 534
14.9-38 67 559
15.5-38 66 550
16.9-24 61 509
16.9-26 65 542
16.9-28 69 575
16.9-30 73 609
16.9-34 82 684
16.9-38 90 751
17.5L-24 55 459
18.4-16.1 49 409
18.4-24 75 626
18.4-26 79 659
18.4-28 84 701
18.4-30 89 742
18.4-34 100 834
18.4-38 110 917
19.5L-24 73 609
20.8-34 128 1068
20.8-38 140 1168