Valve stem protectors

Jeff Lary · Jan 9, 2011

I just went back and re-read the post responce and not sure how you folks do it but up here they put the ballist inside the tube,... You dont want calcium in a wheel unless it is inside a tube or soon 10 or 15 years you will be buying new wheels.They do in some places use a non corrosive ballist but it is not availabe where i go.

IslandTractor · Jan 9, 2011

Jeff Lary said:
I just went back and re-read the post responce and not sure how you folks do it but up here they put the ballist inside the tube,... You dont want calcium in a wheel unless it is inside a tube or soon 10 or 15 years you will be buying new wheels.They do in some places use a non corrosive ballist but it is not availabe where i go.

Yeah, that was my mistake. We don't use CaCl much up here anymore and the other liquid ballasts can be used without a tube so I just plumb forgot about the tube.

Regarding your capping of the stem protector, Rick Wallace's idea seems great...use a pipe nipple to fabricate a protector and then you can just screw on a durable cap.

Jeff Lary · Jan 10, 2011

Well i had already thought of that but i did not have any at home .I like to make due with what i have plus i like to tinker.My Son says sometimes i do things the hard way but whenever possible i like to build whatever i need.
Next on the list of stuff to build is a 20 ton bottle jack press,... and a forge. I want to try forgeing damascus steel from chainsaw chain for a knife blade. And i want the press to imprint my name into the knife.Gives me somthing to do.

jimmysisson · Jan 12, 2011

Skidders generally have about a 2" pipe with threaded plug to keep the stem clear. Here's another way, though probably not for loaded tires: replacement stem with removable fill tube.
Jim

IslandTractor · Jan 12, 2011

jimmysisson said:
Here's another way, though probably not for loaded tires: replacement stem with removable fill tube.
Jim

How would those help? Are they designed to be flexible and not break off?

Redbug · Jan 12, 2011

I also broke my stem off on a branch. This is what I did...took some pipe, cut it off, ovalled it some, and welded it to the puny protector that was already there. I made small welds, (tire on the tractor), then sprayed the rim area down with water to cool it, and repeated the procedure until I was done. No problems since.

Jeff Lary · Jan 12, 2011

To Redbug
very good looking job i will at some point need to install my next onto an inflated tire.I was thinking the same method for me weld a little waret a little and so on glad to hear it worked but do you have a tube ? I do.

Redbug · Jan 13, 2011

Hi Jeff...No, I do not have a tube in them. It might be trickier with a tube in it, since the tube contacts the rim at every point. You could fix your hose sprayer to spray water on the rim while you weld in short bursts. You are not welding the rim...just the piece attached to the rim around the stem. Just do a little at a time. Make sure to oval the pipe...that way it is easier to access to use a pressure gauge or fill with the air compressor.