Traction Adding water to rear tires

[louiedog]

My JD 302 has wheel weights and a box grader connected to the three-point hitch but, still has traction problems. The factory FEL does have some weight but, do not want to remove it. I have heard you can put water in the rear tires to increase traction. Is this true? What do I need to be aware of when doing this?
Louiedog

 

[jwstewar]

When most people say water they are usually talking calcium chloride - salt water. However, that can cause rust. Some people will say you should run tubes if doing that. You can also run Rim Guard (Beet juice) if available. Personally in my rear tires I run winter formula windshield washer fluid. Not quite as heavy as the calcium chloride, but not corrosive either. Haven't found anyone around here that installs the beet juice.

 

[Tx Jim]

Rim Guard is expensive as in about $3 per gallon. I'm going to install water plus Propylene glycol antifreeze in my tractors rear tires.

 

[cartod]

Rim Guard is expensive as in about $3 per gallon. I'm going to install water plus Propylene glycol antifreeze in my tractors rear tires.

Is there any problems with filling tires with water and antifreeze???? I need to fill mine too.

 

[ovrszd]

I used Windshield Washer Fluid. Bought it by the 65 gallon barrel at our local Auto Dealership. Paid $212 and gained 1350lbs. I bought a $10 drill pump at the local farm supply store. Rigged up a hose to fit my valve stems, added a garden hose on the suction side of the pump. Jack up a rear tire to take weight off. You let the air down to 2-3 psi, enough to hold the tire on the rim. Then pump in fluid until it slows because of pressure in the tire. Stop pumping and pull hose off valve stem to let air pressure out until almost flat, then go again. Took me about an hour to fill both tires.

Fluid, whatever type, adds a LOT of traction to the rear tires. Completely changes the characteristics of the tractor. You are really going to like it!!!!

 

[lostcreekranch]

http://www.gemplers.com/tech/tire-liquid.htm

This will explain valve used to install various fluids. I think Tractor Supply sell the valve kits also.

 

[Guesseral]

I was wondering if anyone ever made their own washer fluid and used it to load a tire? I found this on the net and thought maybe the ammonia one might work

8 Ways to Make Windshield Washer Fluid - wikiHow

it's just a thought and it seems inexpensive and is supposed to be anti-freeze although it doesn't say to what degree it is not to freeze. I was just wondering as to a garage kept tractor that really shouldn't freeze.

 

[k0ua]

Is there any problems with filling tires with water and antifreeze???? I need to fill mine too.

Not from a technical standpoint, lots of people do it, but regular Ethylene Glycol (regular green antifreeze) is toxic to animal life. So if you have a puncture and a spill, you run a risk of killing animals. Of course it is still toxic in your cooling system too! RV antifreeze, Propylene Glycol is non toxic to animals. Methanol (windshield washer fluid) is also toxic, but it does not taste good like Ethylene glycol so I doubt an animal would lap it up. It also degrades in the environment rapidly. The Calcium Cloride, a traditional additive is a type of salt, and is highly corrosive, when exposed to air. It is best used with an innertube. This precludes repairing tubeless tires with a plug. RimGuard (beet juice product) is non toxic weighs more than any of the other commonly used things, (even more than Calcium Cloride) and is non corrosive, so can be loaded directly into tubeless tires. The downside is availability and cost.

James K0UA

 

[lostcreekranch]

http://www.gemplers.com/tech/tire-liquid.htm This will explain valve used to install various fluids. I think Tractor Supply sell the valve kits also.

Here is the one at TSC;

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...ory_rn=&top_category=&urlLangId=&cm_vc=-10005

 

[k0ua]

I was wondering if anyone ever made their own washer fluid and used it to load a tire? I found this on the net and thought maybe the ammonia one might work

8 Ways to Make Windshield Washer Fluid - wikiHow

it's just a thought and it seems inexpensive and is supposed to be anti-freeze although it doesn't say to what degree it is not to freeze. I was just wondering as to a garage kept tractor that really shouldn't freeze.

Even in PA, it is likely you could get away with just plain water if your tractor is in a heated garage, as it takes many hours to freeze a volume of water like a tractor tire. Also being black they will soak up sunlight and produce heat even in freezing air. And likely being back in a heated garage at night it would likely never freeze unless exposed to long term outside usage in cloudy conditions (oh yeah wintertime) The ingredient that you are interested in in WW fluid is Methanol aka Methyl alcohol. You can buy this in bulk and mix with water to make your own solution.. You don't need any ammonia as you are not trying to clean bugs off of glass.

James K0UA