Ballast Filling Tires Yourself

FlaDon · Feb 21, 2010

arrabil said:
I used the Rim Guard chart from the website to figure out how much I needed. I bought one tire's worth at a time because I only have one barrel.

The amount specified by Rim Guard took the fluid level to exactly the valve at the 12 o'clock position. Literally, I pumped all the fluid I bought into the tire and no more would fit and only a couple spoonfuls leaked out when I was done. I thought it was a fluke but it was exactly the same way for the other side a day later.

The $12 Napa adapter and a $5 drill pump was all that was required.

Also interesting... the salesman told me I could only buy it in ten gallon increments because of the way the dispensing machine works, the guy in the service shop said he could fill any amount I specified no problem.

EDIT: I removed the valve core for filling to make it go faster.

Normal way to fill the tires is to remove the core like you did. It also is why you fill them at the 10 or 2 o'clock positions. When filled to that point, you remove the hose at the 12 o'clock position without spillage. You then put the core back and inflate to the correct air pressure. That keeps the tire beads seated on the rim. You need to check air pressure with the valve at the 12 o'clock position.

As far as corrosion or safety to the environment, Sierra anti-freeze is one of the safer things to use. I have seen what affect hundreds of gallons of 50% did in canals. Nothing but a little foam. It is propylene glycol and not ethylene glycol which is highly toxic to animals. Use of windshield washer fluid or EG antifreeze can both cause harm. Dowfrost RVR also is PG based. Rim Guard is beet byproducts and biodegradeable. Use proper safety practices when transfering the full strenght materials.

MarkV · Feb 21, 2010

FlaDon, Sierra is what I used and it was available at the local auto parts store. If you fill your tires with water and anti-freeze I hope you will use it or the equivalent. The normal auto anti-freeze has a sweet taste that attracts animals and leads to a very painful death.

Another thing to consider is your tire pressure gage. There are ones available for tires with fluid in them and they are not that much more expensive. Even filled properly you get a little spirt of liquid when you check pressure.

MarkV

bp fick · Oct 23, 2010

Here are a few I found.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/mahindra-owning-operating/161367-filling-tires-added-wieght.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/163047-another-tire-filling-post.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/mahindra-buying-pricing/149847-2-drums-washer-fluid-my.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/159580-tire-ballast-tc55.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/159059-tire-loading-kit.html

Check these out.
This is a bump

HiTechTed · Nov 2, 2010

Ok, I'm filling my tires right now and I noticed that the bead has "shrunk inwards" on the rim on both sides of the tire. It's still tight on the rim and I can't see gaps or anything, but with the air out of the tire it slipped inward slightly. I jacked the tire up off the ground before starting so I wouldn't break the bead...

I'll post a picture if needed, but I'm hoping that when I get the tires filled and aired up that it will just push the beads back out where they should be and all will be well. Am I cool here or am I in trouble?