Ballast 2210 with frozen tire ballast

JohnG · Jan 27, 2004

I went out Sat. morning to do my first real snow removal with my 2210. As soon as the first section of driveway was clear and I drove on it, I realized the tires were flat spotted. Upon further inspection, I believe the ballast was frozen solid. It's been getting to 5-15 degrees the last few nights. Other than the bumpy ride, does this cause any damage? I thought that,(1st tractor /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif) when the JD dealer loaded ballast in the rear tires, it wasn't supposed to freeze. I know there are several fluids discussed here but shouldn't the dealer load it with the right mixture the first time or is there some generic temp range/mixture they use? Any info would be appreciated.
John

art · Jan 27, 2004

I'd be making the call!

Tractors4u · Jan 27, 2004

Do you know for sure that the fluid froze and it wasn't just the tire. As a teenager we had a Honda 110 3 wheeler and about the only time we rode it when it was cold was when there was snow on the ground. I remember more than once hopping on that thing and bouncing down the rode because it had been so cold that the tires got hard and held the flatspots. After riding for a while they loosened up and got more pliable.

raynman · Jan 28, 2004

Check and see if it's the tire, if not I deffinatly would be calling the dealer on this one if it is frozen /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I had my 4510 delivered last Saturday and Sunday morning it was -12, I didn't have any problems. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Hambone · Jan 28, 2004

I agree. If you do call dealer though, be calm.
Ask questions and be nice, seem to get farther that way. Don't want to cause any future problems.

Bird · Jan 28, 2004

Brent, I'd be inclined to suspect frozen ballast in this particular case, but yes, I imagine several of us remember the flat spots on cold tires in the past; particularly bias ply nylon tires. We used to have it to some extent on cars and pickups, but the worst I ever had was my first motorhome. It would really rattle the dishes in the cabinets the first 5 miles. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

timb · Jan 28, 2004

LOL! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

"Fond" memories of hauling a bed full of cement block in a 3/4 ton pickup with nylon-belted tires came back. Got home with the first load just in time to go in and eat lunch. "It's cold, we'll unload later". Temperature was -10 to -15. The truck sat loaded for better than an hour. The trip back to the yard to get the 2nd load was interesting to say the least.

beenthere · Jan 28, 2004

JohnG
You probably can do some checking on your own, such as draining (if it is not still frozen) some fluid out of the tire and seeing if the fluid is just water, or is anti-freeze, windshield washer fluid, or calcium chloride solution (will taste salty). If it won't drain out the valve stem (position it low to test), then it needs to be thawed out a bit to test. Put the fluid in the freezer and see if you can get it to freeze solid.

Likely, from what you say, the 'cold' you speak of on Sat. was an unusual (low) cold for your area. Even then, any amount of fluid such as windshield washer fluid should have just been slushy, and not solid ice. So something doesn't add up to you having a solid chunk of ice in your tire. Find out from your dealer what the fluid was they they put in, and go from there.

To answer your question, I don't think the ice in your tire would be a problem over the short run, but if me, I would check it out before running to the dealer (other than to ask what the fluid is).

JohnG · Jan 28, 2004

Update on the frozen ballast!
I called the dealer today. Spoke with the service rep to schedule my 50 hour service. I mentioned to her that I wanted them to check the mixture in the tires because I believe they are frozen. I also asked if it would do any damage by continuing to use it. She asked me to hold while she checked with the Service Manager. The answer I received was, don't drive in High Range and you can use it. As to why they froze, and this is a classic, The Service Manager said "the alcohol they put in must have evaporated!" but tell him we can fix it for him when we bring it in. Now, I haven't had a flat, a leak, in fact I've added air exactly once, since March when I got it; both tires were about 2psi low. I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but after hanging up, I was left with the distinct impression that they plan on trying to charge me for the replacement of this "evaporated" alcohol. The incredible stupidity of that statement makes me question how honest they're being. Is this really as ridiculous as it sounds to me. Anyway, can anyone tell what they paid for the 50 hour service on their 2210? I want to make sure there are no extra charges.
Thanks for the feedback, This forum has been great for a newbie.
John