Windshield Washer fluid to fill tires

[beenthere]

Have had WW fluid in my JD 4300 for 13+ years with no problems.

Don't consider WW fluid to be unfriendly in any way to the environment.

 

[RoyJackson]

Methane is a cow fart. I think you meant methanol, also known as methyl-alcohol. But no, didn't hear anything about and RimGuard scams. And FWIW, ain't no confusing RimGuard with anything else, especially if you get some on your hands. It's like diluted molasses; stains your hands and your clothes, and the sticky ain't real easy to wash off either.

//greg//

Yeah, I did mean methanol...

 

[sunnyside360]

I've used windshield wiper fluid in several tractors -- no problems whatsoever.
I've used RimGuard in three tractors and probably will never use anything else.
Here is more RimGuard info if you are interested. Rim Guard - Liquid Tire Ballast

 

[yelbike]

WW can't be that bad for the environment, we spill it around all the time! And if your worried about slushing up, there a concentrated product that helps "convert" summer bug juice(usually pink) back to winter rated ww. I'm sure if you added a small container of the concentrated stuff every five years you'd be more then OK.:2cents:

 

[Tractor Pilot]

I loaded my rear tires with windshield washer fluid (Purple stuff; -45F freeze protection).

I thought about Rim Guard, but it was too expensive to send somebody from the tractor dealership out to the house to fill it and too much a pain to lug my tractor to them. Plus Murphy's law - as soon as the tires were filled with Rim Guard I would run over a rusty nail and have to spend the time and expense to repeat the process.

Automotive antifreeze was too toxic to the environment and animals. RV antifreeze was too expensive.

WW fluid fit my circumstances. I filled both rear tires on my JD770 (40 gal) for less than $100.

 

[tankerfarmboy]

I used RV antifreeze in my tires. Environmentally friendly, safe for plants and animals. Doesn't stain. I bought a 45 gallon drum for $285. Which when mixed with water made 90 gallons of fluid that weighed 900 pounds as water is about 10 lbs per gallon. Easy clean up and definitely not corrosive. Tires were 14.9 by 24s.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

I also used a mixture of anti freeze and ww fluid. There is a chart available somewhere that lists tire size and gallons of volume. Don't know where to find it at this moment.

From the chart I learned my tires held 22 gallon. Through experimenting, in the freezer, I found a mixture of 5 parts anti freeze, and 17 parts ww fluid would stay liquid in my part of the country under the most extreme weather I can expect to encounter. This combo of products were the most available and cost effective for my needs.

I installed it my self with a floor jack, air compressor, valve stem adapter, ($8) and a 12 V bilge pump ($20). And a pair of water hoses off an old clothes washer. The pump would not have been necessary. It could all have been done with gravity, but the pump did make it easier and faster.

I have R3 turfs, and it helped a lot with FEL work, and winter use. Doesn't cause a problem with mowing or other yard ware problems.

Good luck

 

[LD1]

I used RV antifreeze in my tires. Environmentally friendly, safe for plants and animals. Doesn't stain. I bought a 45 gallon drum for $285. Which when mixed with water made 90 gallons of fluid that weighed 900 pounds as water is about 10 lbs per gallon. Easy clean up and definitely not corrosive. Tires were 14.9 by 24s.

Water is only 8.3lbs/gallon. NOT 10 lbs.


So 90 gallons only makes ~750lbs, NOT 900.

Rimguard is 10.7-11 lb/gallon. So the same volume would be 960-990lbs. A good 30% heavier by volume

 

[Travelover]

Here is a question for you biology / chemistry majors. Why doesn't the beet juice freeze? I'd assume it is the sugar in it that depresses the freezing point. If so, could you accomplish the same thing by adding sugar to water?

 

[BRBurns]

Ok, Thanks for the responces guys. I think I'll go with winsheild washer fluid. Found a chart saying that each of my R3's will hold 32 gallons. Holly crap. I think I'll just put 12-15 gallons per tire. I don't want too much weight since I mow with this tractor. I'm just looking for a little more stability.