L2501 - Liquid Ballast Options

[flingwing1969]

Does it matter if the anti-freeze has any anti-corrosion characteristics? I always heard that straight water, over time, can rust out a tractor wheel. I ask because my dealer loaded my tires for me before he delivered the tractor (without asking me by the way) and filled them with water and a gallon of straight anti-freeze in each. That is a 30:1 ratio water to anti-freeze. Anybody know if there is any corrosion protection at that ratio?

 

[BrokenTrack]

I had rust in my rims after about 15 years of use. Just a little bit around the valve stem that was cheap and easy to repair.

I would not worry too much about it, but in my case its was calcium chloride and not water and antifreeze either.

 

[Jstpssng]

Does it matter if the anti-freeze has any anti-corrosion characteristics? I always heard that straight water, over time, can rust out a tractor wheel. I ask because my dealer loaded my tires for me before he delivered the tractor (without asking me by the way) and filled them with water and a gallon of straight anti-freeze in each. That is a 30:1 ratio water to anti-freeze. Anybody know if there is any corrosion protection at that ratio?

There is no way that I would allow anyone to put regular antifreeze in my tires; if they did, I would send it right back to them.
All that you need is one puncture and you have a mess; if it happens near your well it's a real problem. To say nothing about a slight leak that you don't notice until your pet gets into it.
Any time that I work on a cooling system I replace it with the low-tox; it costs more, but so do vet bills.

 

[skipmarcy]

For the past 16 years/2900 hrs. I have had a mixture of methanol & water in my rears (16.9x24) - I have 55 gal. in each tire, 1/2 of a 55 gal drum of methanol per tire and it gets me down around -10F if I remember correctly. Methanol is poisonous but it evaporates very quickly so not near as much threat as automotive antifreeze. Windshield washer fluid is methanol, but you're paying for the water and the bottle, might as well just buy a drum of methanol.

I don't know about everyone else but those R4s have never had any kind of leak or flat in all those hours. I have done several years of commercial bushogging, worked hundreds of hours in creekbeds moving gravel with all kinds of debris in it and hundreds of hours in the woods doing many different things and have never had a puncture. Ag & turf tires are a different compound rubber and seem to puncture more readily. My R4s have spent their whole life out in the weather too, not in a shed or even the shade much.

 

[Fallon]

For the past 16 years/2900 hrs. I have had a mixture of methanol & water in my rears (16.9x24) - I have 55 gal. in each tire, 1/2 of a 55 gal drum of methanol per tire and it gets me down around -10F if I remember correctly. Methanol is poisonous but it evaporates very quickly so not near as much threat as automotive antifreeze. Windshield washer fluid is methanol, but you're paying for the water and the bottle, might as well just buy a drum of methanol.

I don't know about everyone else but those R4s have never had any kind of leak or flat in all those hours. I have done several years of commercial bushogging, worked hundreds of hours in creekbeds moving gravel with all kinds of debris in it and hundreds of hours in the woods doing many different things and have never had a puncture. Ag & turf tires are a different compound rubber and seem to puncture more readily. My R4s have spent their whole life out in the weather too, not in a shed or even the shade much.

I punctured the front & rear R4 tires on my L3200 (same tractor & tires as the L2501). Rear was on a stick while mowing brush & the bio ballast started seeping out very slowly. Don't remember what punctured the front.

 

[BrokenTrack]

I think the amount of wear on a tire has more to do with puncturing, or puncture resistance than anything.

My tractor has only 2700 hours on it, but they are agricultural tires and has done a lot of roading due to haying work. When the front tires get worn down, they start getting punctures, as do the rears. Now that I have brand new front tires on, I have not had any punctures of late.

 

[ovrszd]

There is no way that I would allow anyone to put regular antifreeze in my tires; if they did, I would send it right back to them.
All that you need is one puncture and you have a mess; if it happens near your well it's a real problem. To say nothing about a slight leak that you don't notice until your pet gets into it.
Any time that I work on a cooling system I replace it with the low-tox; it costs more, but so do vet bills.

Have you experienced a pet drinking antifreeze? My pets wouldn't even think about drinking it.

 

[ovrszd]

To the question, WW if it will meet your temperature requirements. I paid $210 for 195 gallons at the local auto dealership.

 

[GigaRift]

To the question, WW if it will meet your temperature requirements. I paid $210 for 195 gallons at the local auto dealership.

Was this summer or winter rated? if winter do you remember what temp it was rated for?

 

[ovrszd]

Was this summer or winter rated? if winter do you remember what temp it was rated for?

I remember -20F but don't quote me. We'll get below zero here but when it is I am not out on my tractor so no worries. Your personal use might vary.