Frozen filled tires - how can you tell?

[fried1765]

Agreed, BUT, RV antifreeze is NOT automotive antifreeze. It is NOT ethylene glycol it is propylene glycol. You can drink it in moderate amounts. It is called RV antifreeze NOT because it goes into the cooling system of an RV it goes in the toilet and water distribution system of an RV. Yes into the water lines. You flush it out, but it is not toxic if ingested in moderated amounts. Propylene glycol is added to many foodstuffs and you have ingested much of it in your life. Now I am not saying you should drink it like strawberry soda pop, (which it resembles ) but it is not like ethylene glycol which is highly toxic for pets and humans alike.

You probably already knew this, but I bring it up for the benefit of others that might not.

Yes, I am very aware of the differences between ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol.
I even use RV anti freeze to store my pressure washer, because when I start it up in the Spring, a gallon or so will be sprayed on the ground.
I love my big (a bit overweight) white English Lab too much to be careless.

 

[k0ua]

I've heard of a guy, that would go to get on the older type tractor, and in an area of extreme cold, the tires would freeze to the ground. When started up and put in gear to move forward the tractor rotated around the frozen rear tires and flipped over backwards and killed the operator. Terrible way to go, if this is true?

It has happened.

 

[ratpie]

in middle TN here, got rimguard in my kioti. love the stuff, even though it's a little sluggish in the cold weather. you can feel the tires "lope" at low speeds.

 

[FTG-05]

in middle TN here, got rimguard in my kioti. love the stuff, even though it's a little sluggish in the cold weather. you can feel the tires "lope" at low speeds.

Where did you get your RG? RG told me a couple years ago when I decided to refill my tires that the closest dealer to me was north of the TN/KY line about 150 miles one way. Has that changed?

 

[daugen]

what an interesting thread. It's going up to forties today and I'm going to see if the rear tires on my Kubota are sweating. Have no idea what the dealer filled them with 5 years ago. Does this stuff last forever or should it be replaced once in a while?

Had to order two new rear rims for my ancient Super A I just bought because when tires came off, quarter size holes in the rim. That made me think of my other tractors for sure. Big difference in age though...

It's been below zero here overnight for a few days, record lows. Actually both my Kubota and larger Massey have filled rears. Going to look at both of them today.

 

[FTG-05]

Exactly correct!
The OP 10% (or whatever) MIX of RV anti freeze, provides absolutely NO FREEZE PROTECTION!
RV antifreeze straight, is fine,.... but it is quite expensive.

Oh really?

40 degrees today with a low of 35 last night, pretty much the same the day before on Sunday. Prior to that, a week and a half of 12-25 degree days with the highest high of 28. Most if not all lows were below 20.

Shop is right at 40 degrees when I did the following measurements and tests this morning around 11 AM.:

- IR gun shows the left rear tire sidewall at 25 degrees; right rear tire is at 24 degrees.
- Left side tire valve stem right at 12 o'clock high. Pressed the valve, a couple drops of water came out, then air. Doesn't really prove anything other than the valve isn't frozen.
- Right side tire valve stem is right at the 3 o'clock position. Pressed the valve and got 2-3 oz of water before I stopped. Hence, the liquid ballast is still liquid and not frozen at least to the 3 o'clock position which means the majority of the ballast is liquid and not iced up.

Since the top of the ballast could be frozen and/or slushed up, I haven't moved the tractor and won't for several more days. To speed up the tire warming, I put two small fans on them. High of 43 today, 55 tomorrow and 63-64 by Thursday. Lows in the mid-40's to mid-50's.

Next time I go into town, I'm going to get one of those PG AF testers and measure the actual protection. Speaking of which, if a RV AF/water mixture "provides absolutely NO FREEZE PROTECTION!" (thought I'd scream it like the poster above did, what's good for the goose is good for the gander and all that), then why do they make testers for it? This is a rhetorical question of course.

Of course, there is two other possibiites as to why the water apparently didn't freeze (at least to the 3 oclock level;

- I used more than 5/47 gallon ratio; maybe I forgot I bought 6 gallons(12 total).
- The water left in the tires from the first fill contained some clear AF type that was tasteless as well. The liquid ballast that came out was both clear and tasteless. I can't smell, so that test was worthless. Perhaps Methanol? Don't know.

 

[k0ua]

Oh really?

40 degrees today with a low of 35 last night, pretty much the same the day before on Sunday. Prior to that, a week and a half of 12-25 degree days with the highest high of 28. Most if not all lows were below 20.

Shop is right at 40 degrees when I did the following measurements and tests this morning around 11 AM.:

- IR gun shows the left rear tire sidewall at 25 degrees; right rear tire is at 24 degrees.
- Left side tire valve stem right at 12 o'clock high. Pressed the valve, a couple drops of water came out, then air. Doesn't really prove anything other than the valve isn't frozen.
- Right side tire valve stem is right at the 3 o'clock position. Pressed the valve and got 2-3 oz of water before I stopped. Hence, the liquid ballast is still liquid and not frozen at least to the 3 o'clock position which means the majority of the ballast is liquid and not iced up.

Since the top of the ballast could be frozen and/or slushed up, I haven't moved the tractor and won't for several more days. To speed up the tire warming, I put two small fans on them. High of 43 today, 55 tomorrow and 63-64 by Thursday. Lows in the mid-40's to mid-50's.

Next time I go into town, I'm going to get one of those PG AF testers and measure the actual protection. Speaking of which, if a RV AF/water mixture "provides absolutely NO FREEZE PROTECTION!" (thought I'd scream it like the poster above did, what's good for the goose is good for the gander and all that), then why do they make testers for it? This is a rhetorical question of course.

Of course, there is two other possibiites as to why the water apparently didn't freeze (at least to the 3 oclock level;

- I used more than 5/47 gallon ratio; maybe I forgot I bought 6 gallons(12 total).
- The water left in the tires from the first fill contained some clear AF type that was tasteless as well. The liquid ballast that came out was both clear and tasteless. I can't smell, so that test was worthless. Perhaps Methanol? Don't know.

Look at the chart in this PDF. 20% propylene glycol will get you down to +20 degrees F. You approximately 10% (guestimated?) mix would do very little

http://www.ttequip.com/knowledgelibrary/Proper Use Of Inhibited Propylene Glycol.pdf

 

[k0ua]

Keep in mind pure water in your tires is sure not going to freeze the first night you get below 32. It will take some time, due to the large mass of fluid. And any sunlight at all on the tires will raise their temp considerably due to "heat soak".

 

[EarPlug]

Found this Dilution Chart for StarBrite brand. The "-50" is rated for -50*F Copper Burst but only +12*F Freeze Protection. and this is UNDILUTED.

http://mystarbrite.com/public/pdf/PG_Antfreeze_Dilution_Chart.pdf

 

[k0ua]

Bottom line is you never just add some RV antifreeze to a large amount of water in your tire. You always use full strength, and that might not be enough depending on the mix and where you live. If you "just add some", you might just have well pixxed in the tire. The results will be about the same.