Best way to remove all methanol from tires.

[ljjhouser]

I have methanol in my rear tires. I would like to remove it and use Rimguard instead. I know some are going to ask Why? I don't have enough ballast and it has become a problem. I work on my road hauling rock with the FEL. Then I spread it with the Box Blade, which weighs only 400 pounds. (too light). According to charts online, my tires - 17.5 x 24 will hold about 29 gal. at 40% fill. Methanol weights 7.8 pounds per gallon. If my math is correct, then 7.8 x 29 x 2 tires = liquid ballast --- Methanol 7.8 x 29 x 2 = 452 pounds. Rimguard - 10.7 x 29 x 2 = 620 pounds. About 168 gain. Looks like the cost of Rimguard is .28 a pound = $173 - acceptable and a little cheaper than wheel weights.

I see no problem doing this myself. I can bleed methanol off but the last couple gallons at the bottom below the stem. Any ideas? Hopefully other than removing the tire from the rim!

 

[Roadworthy]

If you could get a narrow tube and a suction pump you may be able to insert the tube into the pool of methanol at the bottom and suck it out. You could also fill the tire with water to dilute the remaining methanol then drain the water. Done two or three times the residual methanol would become a non issue. A greater concern may be dealing with the methanol which would be considered hazardous waste. I thought alcohols were destructive to rubber so that may be a long term worry.

 

[ljjhouser]

If you could get a narrow tube and a suction pump you may be able to insert the tube into the pool of methanol at the bottom and suck it out. You could also fill the tire with water to dilute the remaining methanol then drain the water. Done two or three times the residual methanol would become a non issue. A greater concern may be dealing with the methanol which would be considered hazardous waste. I thought alcohols were destructive to rubber so that may be a long term worry.

I was thinking the same way. But I think it is highly flammable. I know water is added when putting it in, I just don't know how much water is usually added. Wonder if you could let it evaporate with no issues.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Should be mixed with water and no less safe than windshield washer fluid, for that is what it is. Usually at about 33% for -30f protection, which also means it weights closer to 8.15lbs per gallon.

 

[JasperFrank]

Too bad they are not filled with ethanol. You could have one hell of a party.

 

[ljjhouser]

Too bad they are not filled with ethanol. You could have one hell of a party.

Add flavor and invite the neighbots. don't have to dispose of it! Ha Drink out the stems.

 

[Doughknob]

Or just run a line from the valve stem to the intake manifold.

 

[Torvy]

What is the drawback to just mixing the last little bit with Rimguard? They would not be volitile.

 

[ljjhouser]

What is the drawback to just mixing the last little bit with Rimguard? They would not be volitile.

I was wonder about that also - if it was about 2 gal in each tire, it would reduce weight by 12 pounds. That might be the only option so save all the trouble. But if I could un-weight it and break the bead to get the rest out, I would. I would worry about the entire bead coming loose.

You might be right if a very small tube through the stem. Might work. I will think on that. It just hit me what you were saying. Thanks.

 

[LD48750]

Fill your tires to 75%.
That takes it up to the top of the rim and still leaves room at the top for expansion & air.
And check again on the weight of the mix you have now.
I'm sure it is closer to a gal of automotive windshield washer fluid then straight methanol.

 

[SPYDERLK]

For the last remanent liquid you can just blow some air into the tire and insert a small stiff tube into the pool of liquid through the valvestem as the air escapes. The air pressure will drive the liquid out through the tube.

 

[ljjhouser]

What is the drawback to just mixing the last little bit with Rimguard? They would not be volitile.

Just for information. I finally called a tire place and asked about the small amount of methanol left and would it mix with Rimguard . He told me no - that the methanol and water would make the Rimguard thick and more sticky. My tires are 17.5 x 24. He quoted me $58 a tire to break it down and wash the methanol out before installing the Rimguard - Charges $3.75 a gal for Rimguard - that figures to about .34 a pound. I will have to give it some thought.

 

[Rebeldad1]

Sounds like you simply need to add water and as LD48750 says fill up to at least 75% Percentage of mix depends on weather and where you keep your tractor. If you dont know just fill to 75% with adding washer fluid. Cheap fix. wont freeze

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Why only 40%? ..... like others said, go to 75-80%. Put the valve at 12:00, fill away.... when you get to the 75%, the fluid would flow out of the valve easily.

Total should be around 54 gal per tire, approx 495 pounds per tire. Just use WW fluid. It will easily mix with the methanol. You can get 55 gal drums at auto parts stores for around $125 each.

The 100# difference between rimguard and WWF won't be noticeable After you add 500# per tire!

 

[ljjhouser]

Whether it is 40% or 75%, Rimguard will always be heavier. I am in the Ozarks. Nothing is flat. Methanol is not heavy enough. And, being in the hills, I don't want any added weight above the axles. Both the manual and the dealer say to fill only to 40%. I am inclined to go as far as 50%, to the axles, but not above. At 50%, the difference between methanol and Rimguard is an added 180 pounds. Thanks, Larry

 

[Spanky100]

Whether it is 40% or 75%, Rimguard will always be heavier. I am in the Ozarks. Nothing is flat. Methanol is not heavy enough. And, being in the hills, I don't want any added weight above the axles. Both the manual and the dealer say to fill only to 40%. I am inclined to go as far as 50%, to the axles, but not above. At 50%, the difference between methanol and Rimguard is an added 180 pounds. Thanks, Larry

ljjhouser

Interesting point that in addition to added weight for traction you need to keep the weight low for stability on the hills/grades. So I see why the 40 percent fill is recommended. That is a great point. I like the others (likely flatlanders) see the 75 to 80 percent fill recommended for maximum weight add while leaving some room for air pressure over the liquid ballast.
Thanks Spanky

 

[Rebeldad1]

We dont have any flat ground so the tractor is working on inclines and declines. Tires are loaded with -20 washer fluid up to 70-80%.
tractor is very stable now. You have to remember the tires loaded do not add weight to the tractor itself. It does add to the footprint and ballast to lifting with the loader. The extra 20-30% above the axles is really not a issue.
If you are working in a environment where it does create a safety issue maybe you shouldnt be there to begin with or its the wrong equipment.

With the tires fully loaded we never add any ballast to the 3 point. The tractor can safely reach its max limit lifting without being unstable on the rear tires.

 

[ljjhouser]

With the tires fully loaded we never add any ballast to the 3 point. The tractor can safely reach its max limit lifting without being unstable on the rear tires.

I have had my tractor for 4 years. The methanol installed by the dealer was 40%, as also shown in the manual. When doing road work with the box blade on the 3pt (400 added pounds), I need to use 4WD to carry a bucked of gravel because there was not enough traction on the rear tires. I changed the oil in the front axle and it was black. I would like to do the road work without using the front axle so much. This became an issue when last month I went down the road in 2wd - without the box blade and empty bucket. I had a 200 pound generator in the bucket. When I started down the hill ( as so many times before, I slide about 18 feet before I could get it stopped. According to my research, wiper fluid is a little lighter than water, Methanol is 7.8 per gal. and Rimguard is 10.9 per gal. By changing to 50% Rimguard, I should be at and additional 200 pounds in each tire. I am hoping that will help. It gets me closer to the weight you are using but not placing weight above the axle. That will make it about 400 a tire. By the way, by not flat, I mean Branson MO, Ozark Mountians. It does well using 4WD all the time. And I also believe insufficient ballast on any tractor is a safety issue -- anywhere. You have great ballast. That is great. I am working toward making the ballast needed for the work we do. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Smokeydog]

Ballast for traction and wheel spacing for stability works on our hillside farm. Right combination for safe loader work. Didn’t know of the methanol/ rim guard incompatibility issue. Your tire guy best to clean and install new ballast. Good relationship building for the next time. Farm long enough there will be a next time.

Sloshing ballast in a 40% filled tire negates any center of gravity gains compared to 80% filled tire. It’s the dynamic forces that overturn tractors more than the static.

 

[oosik]

You want Rim Guard - let the dealer clean out the tires - install the Rim Guard. You are done - without any fiddling around and no safety issues. Any extra costs - spread out over the years you will own the tractor.

I've never heard to a 40% fill recommendation by a tractor manufacturer. I have a Kubota M6040 and my rear tires are filled with Rim Guard to the 75% - 80% level. It's what Kubota recommends in my Owners Manual. 1775 pounds of RG.