Ballast tire ballast in subcompact tractor

[LBrown59]

So excuse my ignorance, but this is the first time I heard ofputting washer fluid in the tires for weight. I think I just might try it this winter. I want to know if when you fill your tire to about
1*80% I guess through the valve,
2*Do you have to add air afterwards???

1*Don't go over 75%
2*not if the air is at recommemded pressure.

 

[Zephrant]

From my JD 2210 manual:

Cover rim completely with solution to avoid corrosion, but never more than 90 percent full. More solution would leave too little air space to absorb shocks. Damage to tire could occur.

NOTE: Use of alcohol as ballast is not recommended. Calcium chloride solution is heavier and more economical.

A solution of water and calcium chloride provides safe economical ballast, and will prevent freezing. If used properly, it will not damage tires, tubes, or rims.

A mixture of 0.4 kg of calcium chloride per liter of water (3.5 lb/gal), will not freeze solid above -45ｰ C (-50ｰ F).

Fill tubeless tires at least to valve stem level (minimum 75% full). Less solution would expose part of rim, possibly causing corrosion.

Tube-type tires may be filled to any level below 90%.

I'm going to give it a try tomorrow, if I can get some tubing hooked up. I'm afraid to break the bead loose, as I've not experience re-seating them.

Looks like the 26x12-12 tires will take at least 10g each. Since I've got water-softener salt laying around, I'll use that.

Actually, since I salt water fish tanks maybe I'll just do a water change on them and use that.

 

[irvingj]

Check other posts for corrosion issues with some chemicals-- it may create problems down the road if you use water softener chemical(s) or salt water; remember, the wheels are steel. I have a GC2310 with no ballast, but sometimes wish I did, in the front: it does have problems --light on the steering-- going uphill with a blower; backhoe is still on rear, mainly for traction on my sloped driveway.

 

[Zephrant]

The corrosion bothers me too, but if JD claims it is fine right in their official documentation I'd tend to believe them. That and I'm cheap- the salt is near free and I have it on hand, but 22 gallons of windshield washer fluid costs more, and I've got to drive in to town to get it.

 

[LBrown59]

So excuse my ignorance, but this is the first time I heard ofputting washer fluid in the tires for weight. I think I just might try it this winter. I want to know if when you fill your tire to about 80% I guess through the valve, do you have to add air afterwards???

You havent been reading enough on TBN.
It is posted all over the place .
Make that 75%.

 

[Zephrant]

One thing I did note- my jug of WWF in the garage has 20% Methanol in it, and says it is good to 0 degrees F. My JD manual says that the salt is good to -50 F.

It does get below zero around here briefely, so I'm not confident enough to use 20% Methanol in my tires. It probably just gets slushy at 0, but not something I'd want to risk.

 

[jeepcj7]

There is no real point in filling the front tires unless you will be pulling a ground engaging implement such as a moldboard plow. If you have an implement that is so heavy that it requires front weight to keep the front tires on the ground when driving with the 3 pont raised, the implement is too large for the tractor.

 

[DEWFPO]

In my particular case, I blow snow on steep drives that are often uneven and off-camber. I like having extra weight on the front for steering purposes. Even though I have the blower in the float position, sometimes the weigh shift due to the slope leaves me with little steering ability. I actually have to lift the blower up to get more weight on the front wheels so I can steer.

DEWFPO

 

[radioman]

before you put cacl in your tires, i would look into rimgaurd.

I put rimguard in my tires and its its same size as yours 1972SprintConvertible.

nubota- if you turn your valve stem down lowever the 9 o clock postiion and let a little of rimgaurd out - it will look dark red , like dirty oil. All rimgaurd is, it's beet juice!!

Johnny_B - You need to have MAX of 75% of liquid ballast for tire weight. If you have 4 wheel drive, then filling all 4 is good idea on larger tracter. If you have subcompact with FEL, IMHO I prefer not to fill front since its such a tiny tire and dont want any additional weight in front with full bucket.

Zephrant - using your salt water from your fish tank -- tsk tsk . I doubt it would have same freeze protection as cacl and rimgaurd.

 

[Allan_Cen_Ont]

before you put cacl in your tires, i would look into rimgaurd.

I put rimguard in my tires and its its same size as yours 1972SprintConvertible.

nubota- if you turn your valve stem down lowever the 9 o clock postiion and let a little of rimgaurd out - it will look dark red , like dirty oil. All rimgaurd is, it's beet juice!!

Johnny_B - You need to have MAX of 75% of liquid ballast for tire weight. If you have 4 wheel drive, then filling all 4 is good idea on larger tracter. If you have subcompact with FEL, IMHO I prefer not to fill front since its such a tiny tire and dont want any additional weight in front with full bucket.

Zephrant - using your salt water from your fish tank -- tsk tsk . I doubt it would have same freeze protection as cacl and rimgaurd.

You don't want calcium chloride or salt for ballast if your tires are tubeless or it will rust the rims real quick I would either use rimguard or another non corrosive liquid for ballast to be safe and also you will need to use a tire pressure guage that is made for checking the tire pressure on fluid filled tires .