Tires BX24 Valve stem failure (calcium?)

nrbsr · Sep 19, 2014

BX24 - loaded tires

Bought this machine new 6 yrs ago. This past spring I went to add air to my rear tire, when I tried to remove the valve stem cap the whole guts came out of the valve stem, not just the core but the whole gut assembly. I removed the tire and took it to the shop to have a new stem installed.
last week the same thing happened on the same tire. My guess is that the calcium degraded the valve stem causing the failure.

Is there some kind of valve stem I could be looking at that may be a little less prone to calcium failure?

BTW, that calcium is really salty tasting:licking:,

KennyV · Sep 19, 2014

Why would you choose to use such a corrosive ballast? There are Much better available... Like Rim Guard.

nrbsr · Sep 19, 2014

KennyV said:
Why would you choose to use such a corrosive ballast? There are Much better available... Like Rim Guard.

Came with the tractor

Gary Fowler · Sep 19, 2014

Solid brass valve stems should hold for a fairly long time.

I would bet the stem used was something other than brass. Maybe brass anodized aluminum or some other less corrosion resistant metal. I bought some hose repair parts once that looked like brass and even said brass fitting, but turned out the be brass plating on aluminum. It corroded so bad on a hose nozzle that it wouldn't come off the nozzle without stripping off the threads from both pieces.
Stainless steel wouldn't corrode but salt on stainless steel causes cracking of the metal and fatigue but that usually doesn't happen till the stainless is heated.

oosik · Sep 20, 2014

Like Gary says - - REAL, solid brass stems and inserts. I know from experience they might be difficult to find. I fought calcium chloride for 27 years on my previous tractor and it was a TRUE PITA. Even with the brass fittings "things" would only last 3-4 years. I would seriously look into Rim Guard, RV antifreeze, windshield washer fluid etc. Even with Rim Guard I had to replace the inner valve stem just a week ago. A chunk of "poo" got stuck on the rubber seal and sprayed me down, real good, with Rim Guard. I only lost a cup or so but it was a real sticky situation.

nrbsr · Sep 20, 2014

Thanks guys, I guess I'm lucky I got 6 years out of them.

I'll try and dig up some some solid brass stems to keep on hand for the "next time".

torrin · Sep 21, 2014

I have had the same problem with my BX1500, using beet juice (Rimgard?). I have had my Tractor for 5 years and it was 4 or 5 years old when I bought it. The valve stems on my wheels were rubber (synthetic) and that beet juice stinks when sprayed all over a garage.

The tire dealer in my area fixed it and refiled with juice for under $50.00. No problem since.

Gary Fowler · Sep 21, 2014

I don't have any problems with my valve stems. I use straight tap water. I don't necessarily need to use the LS in winter IF the water freezes. We don't have a lot of below zero weather here anyway, so we are lucky in that respect. If I had to use it all winter, I think I would go with using propylene glycol mixture. It wont corrode things like calcium, beet juice etc. and doesn't affect rubber components.

Wolfy · Sep 21, 2014

I would agree with Gary Fowler. I had trouble with my Kubota L3710 rear tire valve stems that came new with RimGuard.

buickanddeere · Sep 21, 2014

Calcium Chloride is a powerful alkali solution. The only way to stop calcium chloride from attacking materials is to eliminate the calcium chloride. The stuff was used back in the bad old days because it was the cheapest and most readily available compound for non freezing ballast.
We can do much better today however some old timers like to stick with what their Pappy, Grand Pappy and Great Grand Pappy used for tradition's sake.