LIQUID TIRE BALLAST - WHAT FLUID TO CHOOSE

[dieselscout80]

Has anyone filled their front tires on a two wheel drive tractor?

 

[KubotaToy]

Has anyone filled their front tires on a two wheel drive tractor?

I did on on my MF50 2wd tractor I used for haying, worked just good enough to not need to buy weights. I used calcium then, but since then I have foam filled many front tires which is a lot heavier.

 

[dieselscout80]

I did on on my MF50 2wd tractor I used for haying, worked just good enough to not need to buy weights. I used calcium then, but since then I have foam filled many front tires which is a lot heavier.

Thanks

How hard was it to get the fluid into the tire through the small valve stem of the front tires?

 

[Ford850]

Some RV antifreeze is made with Propylene Glycol, and some is made with a combination of Ethanol and Methyl isobutyl ketone. I bought some Peak RV antifreeze recently and was surprised at the strong solvent odor. Peak makes both versions listed above. Apparently I got the Ethanol blend (threw away the container before researching). It smells like shellac.

 

[fried1765]

Response to "AxleHub"

RV antifreeze is certainly an excellent freeze protection option, but in my area it is MORE EXPENSIVE than RimGuard.
I will be very satisfied with -20F washer fluid, if it only remains as a liquid down to +10, because it will never get that cold in my barn on Cape Cod.
I have experimented with RV antifreeze by diluting it to 2/3 anti freeze and 1/3 water, but it freezes at 0 degrees in my freezer.
Perhaps 2 to 1 would be OK at +10, but I have no way to do a +10 test.

 

[Ford850]

Response to "AxleHub"

RV antifreeze is certainly an excellent freeze protection option, but in my area it is MORE EXPENSIVE than RimGuard.
I will be very satisfied with -20F washer fluid, if it only remains as a liquid down to +10, because it will never get that cold in my barn on Cape Cod.
I have experimented with RV antifreeze by diluting it to 2/3 anti freeze and 1/3 water, but it freezes at 0 degrees in my freezer.
Perhaps 2 to 1 would be OK at +10, but I have no way to do a +10 test.

RV fluid is approximately $2.50 right now at Menards, TSC, and Rural King, in case that helps.
Oh, I just saw where you said Lowes had WWF for $1.18, which is a great price! I checked online for my local Lowes and they have the Splash brand WWF -20 mix for only .79, which is a steel!

 

[KubotaToy]

Thanks, How hard was it to get the fluid into the tire through the small valve stem of the front tires?

No harder than loading the rears. I use a connector I bought at the CO-OP 20 years ago that attaches a garden hose to the valve stem (I have seen similar connectors at a many tractor or farm store). My method is simple, I have a cheap HF sump pump that fits inside a 5 gal bucket and made a short garden hose to connect to the tire, fill the bucket with 4 gals of whatever I am filling with (I use 25 % methanol with water, I have over 400 gals of methanol from my racing days) and fill'er up. By the time it pumps in the bucket empty, you will need to vent the pressure anyway, it is not difficult process.

 

[90cummins]

RuralKing has 50 gallon drums of RV antifreeze for 139.99 but I would need to drive to Pennsylvania to pick up which would be worth the trip for 3 drums.
90cummins

 

[fried1765]

90cummins:
Tractor Supply currently has -50F RV antifreeze listed on their website for $3.00 per gallon.
You certainly could not afford to drive to PA. for the $10 difference per 50 gal..
Unfortunately, it looks like there is no TSC store near you.
I am at the exact opposite end of our state from you, and do have a TSC store within 65 miles.
I plan to call them today to verify their website price.

 

[AxleHub]

90cummins:
Tractor Supply currently has -50F RV antifreeze listed on their website for $3.00 per gallon.
You certainly could not afford to drive to PA. for the $10 difference per 50 gal..
Unfortunately, it looks like there is no TSC store near you.
I am at the exact opposite end of our state from you, and do have a TSC store within 65 miles.
I plan to call them today to verify their website price.

TSC is a great location for many items for me. But also Theisen's, Farm and Fleet, Fleet Farm, and Menrads can be good sources for these type of items. And I imagine the Home Depots and Lowes do price matching as well when you ask. Just recently I've seen RV Antifreeze in the 2.49 to 2.69 per gallon price ranges at a few of those I listed. And I'm told that buying a half or full pallet is not unusual

 

[90cummins]

Looks like Tractor supply RV Antifreeze at $3/gallon is the best deal.
Anyone know how much it weights per gallon?
90cummins

 

[vtsnowedin]

Looks like Tractor supply RV Antifreeze at $3/gallon is the best deal.
Anyone know how much it weights per gallon?
90cummins

A 50/50 mix would have a specific gravity of 1.04 so 8.33 X 1.04= 8.66 Lbs per gallon.

 

[fried1765]

vtsnowedin:

A 50/50 mix of RV antifreeze, in the freezer, at 0F, produces a firm icy slush mix. I question if the flakes of ice could damage the tubes by chafing the rubber over time.
Testing RV antifreeze undiluted, does produce a much softer slush at 0F.
I will test -20F windshield washer fluid to see what the difference is.
I was leaning toward using RV antifreeze, but not so much anymore.
The RV antifreeze will provide provide burst protection to -40F or -50F (for water lines, toilets, etc.), but it does NOT remain liquid.
If possible, I want to keep LIQUID in the tires, .... not firm slush.

 

[varmint]

Has the various combinations of methanol and the other chemicals found in RV anti-freeze been proven inert as far as rubber (tires) is concerned? I have never read that it is, but everyone seems to act like it is?

 

[AxleHub]

Has the various combinations of methanol and the other chemicals found in RV anti-freeze been proven inert as far as rubber (tires) is concerned? I have never read that it is, but everyone seems to act like it is?

I'd be more worried about the windshield washer fluid for a couple reasons:

1. Windshield washers' priority purpise is to be a cleaner and it has additives in it to breakdown dirt. It ages windshield wipers etc.. It would seem it would also age tires .

2. My understanding is its not earth friendly.

3. It ices at a warmer temperature than its rated temperature because it isn't designed to be an antifreeze and it is assumed that it will be stored in an engine compsrtment and have access to engine heat. Its rating is based on use at the cleaning area. It is the cheapst choice because it is much more a water with cleaning additives used on a non breakdown surface (glass).

 

[DK35vince]

I'd be more worried about the windshield washer fluid for a couple reasons:

1. Windshield washers' priority purpise is to be a cleaner and it has additives in it to breakdown dirt. It ages windshield wipers etc.. It would seem it would also age tires .

2. My understanding is its not earth friendly.

3. It ices at a warmer temperature than its rated temperature because it isn't designed to be an antifreeze and it is assumed that it will be stored in an engine compsrtment and have access to engine heat. Its rating is based on use at the cleaning area. It is the cheapst choice because it is much more a water with cleaning additives used on a non breakdown surface (glass).

All I can tell you is that I have had -20*F windshield washer fluid in my tubeless tires for 14 years with no issues at all and no signs of any problems.
We have had -20*F or colder multiple times and never noticed it trying to freeze or slush (tractor is stored in an unheated pole barn)

 

[vtsnowedin]

vtsnowedin:

A 50/50 mix of RV antifreeze, in the freezer, at 0F, produces a firm icy slush mix. I question if the flakes of ice could damage the tubes by chafing the rubber over time.
Testing RV antifreeze undiluted, does produce a much softer slush at 0F.
I will test -20F windshield washer fluid to see what the difference is.
I was leaning toward using RV antifreeze, but not so much anymore.
The RV antifreeze will provide provide burst protection to -40F or -50F (for water lines, toilets, etc.), but it does NOT remain liquid.
If possible, I want to keep LIQUID in the tires, .... not firm slush.

I wasn't recommending it just answering the math question. I use what I think is the best product made and designed for the purpose which is "RimGuard" " Also known as beet juice. I think it is worth the price and at 11 pounds per gallon dose the job better then any other option.
Others especially in more southern locations get along quite well with alternatives including plain tap water. There are threads around where people talk of parking a tractor in a manure pile on a cold night to keep the water in the tires from freezing. So some slush in a flexible tire at "freezer temps" (You didn't say what your freezer is set at)wouldn't put me off as that would be a rare and not harmful event and would only take a bit of use at those temps to warm the tires up. I wouldn't expect the slush to have any abrasive ability against the inside of the tires.

 

[fried1765]

AxleHub:
I submit that the sun has a LOT more to do with windshield wiper aging, than any amount of wiper fluid would.
I agree that washer fluid may not be as "earth friendly" as it might be, but it is certainly a LOT better than propylene glycol (automotive antifreeze)
Windshield washer fluid certainly will freeze at a given temperature (-20F?), but I have left a car outside all night in 0F weather, and the washer pump sprayed fluid on the windshield, right after engine start in the morning.
From my freezer experiments, with (RV to water) 1 to 1 ratio, a 2 to 1 ratio, and a 3 to 1 ratio it would not be possible to spray -40F RV antifreeze at 0F.
I have not yet done a freezer experiment with -20F windshield washer fluid.....but I will.

 

[Ford850]

Propylene glycol is used in food and is not toxic. Some antifreeze brands use it as a safe alternative. The Peak RV antifreeze I mentioned above has a propylene glycol version. Ethylene Glycol is the toxic antifreeze ingredient.

 

[Garycw]

I just used the -20 washer fluid to fill the fronts on JD1025. Will be doing the rears this week after wheel spacers installed. Only problem now is I'm making ruts in my yard mowing with R4 tires. The ground was a little soft from rain days before, but it diffinetly adds the weight. Almost tempted to take 1/2 or all back out of fronts?