Ballast Filling Tires

[JimBinMI]

OK, I don't have the time right now to read all the archives but have a semi-quick question.

My NH salesman said that if I have my rear turf tires filled on my TC18, that I not only get better traction but I'll also get a better, smoother ride...not that it's bad now. Any comments?

Next, if he fills with calcium chloride he has to add tubes, then fill the tubes. If he fills them with some newer stuff, can't remember what he called it but it is thick stuff, a little thinner than molassas, won't freeze and can go right in the tubeless tire, pretty sure it is environmentally friendly too. Both tires filled with the newer stuff to 75% costs $100. I can take the tires only to him and he says I'll be able to handle them when full. Any comments?

Thanks, JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

 

[Mike H]

Jim: I'd do it. Mine were filled when I bought it (TC33) w/ CaCl2. It was about $120. Everybody that I got a quote from (NH, JD, Kubota) around here quoted w/ Calcium. Although now that I think about it, one dealer mentioned that they were starting to fill w/ Beat Juice. If you can fill your tires for $100 w/ something non-corrosive and environmentally neutral, seems like a good choice. A smoother ride sounds a little funny to me though - should be stiffer. Do you actually get much bouncing now?

 

[Bird]

JimBinMI, I may be wrong, but I'm inclined to think that the difference in the smoothness of the ride will not be so negligible that you won't notice the difference. But naturally, it will help with more traction. I also don't know whether it's still there or not, but Carver had a very good explanation about ballast, different types, etc. on his web site.

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I don't think it's filling the tires, it's the added weight. Load your pickup and then check the ride. Stiffer tires can't make it ride better. (or so I would think). What I'm waiting for (dreaming for) now that you can buy a bicycle with a suspension, why not a tractor, maybe one you could lock out if need be. I'm not necessarily talking about 12" of wheel spring travel, just something so you don't have to feel every pebble...

With all us tired back boomers (and older) buyers I would think it would be a seller.

 

[Bird]

That's what I want, del, preferably with an air ride suspension./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif And while it seems odd now, I'm betting someone will build one before very long (probably springs instead of air ride, of course).

Bird

 

[paccorti]

I wonder would it really be useful (safe) to build a tractor with suspension? Imagine how the tractor would settle on its springs when you use the loader or ground engaging implements. Not that I wouldn't like a smoother ride... Even my Boomer (with a ton of seat travel) seems harsh to me.

 

[JimBinMI]

MikeH,

That's what he called the new stuff, "beat juice", do you know what it is?

I get some bouncing but my lawn's not the smoothest either...but it's not bad at all, salesman has said more than once that filling will smooth out the ride.

With your calcium did they install tubes, then fill the tubes? If so, that's more labor than just filling the tubeless with beat juice, so it sounds like you got a good price.

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

 

[JimBinMI]

del,

I've got a '95 GMC Sierra, extended cab Z-71 (off-road) pick-up. Used it this summer to go to a motorcycle swap meet in Wauseon, OH with my brother, he had the parts for sale. We had an old cushman scooter and an old Coke cooler that had the flip up top that cools with water (heavy), the rest of the bed was filled with parts boxes and we were pulling his trailer with his '50 Harley with sidecar. That truck went smoother down the road (secondary highways on the way there, I-80/90 on the way back) than when it's empty! My brother kept commenting on how smooth it was and that he couldn't even hardly feel the trailer back there...the 5.7 liter has been a good motor and I've got 3.73 rear end gears...the point is that the ride was better with a load. Don't know if that works for all trucks but the Z-71's have the stiffer off-road suspension/springs/shocks.

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

 

[JimBinMI]

Bird,

Thanks, I'll check it out!

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

 

[JerryG]

Fellows, someone already has a tractor with a suspension. It is Fendt. Fendt is in the AGCO family of companies. Check it out at:
http://www.fendt.com/north_america/index.html
JerryG

 

[art]

Before we load tires it is important to make sure you have had the right air pressure in the tires. Adding weight to a tractor if not needed is a waste of fuel and tires. Yes tires, with out liquid you only have one meidian in the tire to move when going over irregularities. With water or what ever you now have two and they cannot displace as quickly as just air so in effect you will lose some traction depending on conditions. How ever we do nrmally find some kind of rear ballast for tractors with loaders. Calcium does give the most pounds available for the volumn in a tire I know of and we do use it in 95% of the time we look for ballast on compact tractors where often suitable cast iron weight is not available for some tire combinations. Do you get a smoother ride? Only after steamrolling all your lawn during wet conditions with your new fatter tractor.

 

[Mike H]

Jim: Beat Juice is the liquid squeezed from sugar beats. Although most of our processed sugar (the white stuff we buy in 5 lb bags at the grocery store) comes from sugar cane in the sugar plantations far South of us, some of the 'sweetness' in things like juice concentrates comes from sugar beats. Another of the primary uses for sugar beats in our area (Michigan) is as bait for deer. Pure speculation on my part, but I'm guessing with limitations on baiting deer, there was an impact on demand for sugar beats. Somebody must have discovered that the freezing point of this liquid is below what we need in Michigan and, presto, a new market.

I'm not sure if my tires are tubed or not. I never asked the dealer, and I don't know how to tell looking at the stem. By the way, I just had tubes put in my fronts - I've had slow leaks pretty continuously. Dirty lawn problem (thorns, sticks, even found a nail). I've got the Industrial tires and the rears never had a problem - good thing since they're filled!

 

[richh]

JimBimMI, their is some stuf called RIM gaurd that is out now and they HQ. down by you. IM at the UP state fair now when I get home I will post the ph. # of the guy. Looks like good stuff IM waiting for them to get it up here, so I can get some!
Rich

 

[richh]

Jim heres the name, Agri-Indutrial Sales Inc. P.O. box 4012 East Lansing, Mi. 48826 Phone 517-351-6470. They say that the Rim guard is non-toxic and can be feed to animals??? weighs 10.7 to 11.3 LBS. per gal. good to -35 below and is non-corrosive. I read the haz mat. sheet and it confirmed this. Trouble now is finding it in your area. Cost, I have heard 1.10 to 2.00 a gal. to me its worth more.
Rich

 

[MarkV]

Jim,

Does anyone up your way use water and anitfreeze? I filled my tires, myself, with a drill powered pump, for the antifreeze (the safe stuff) and a valve stem adaptor for the water. The pump and adaptor cost under $25, antifreeze depends on how much you need and it took about an hour. May just be to cold to use that set up where you are. Made a huge differnce in traction but I couldn't tell that much differnce in ride. I am running stiff R4s.

 

[richh]

Re: Filling Tires More weight

Jim did you ever fill your tires with any thing???? Or check out the rim guard?? I would think it would be easy to find in your area. Any body else out there heard of this stuff good or bad???
Rich

 

[JimBinMI]

Re: Filling Tires More weight

RichH,

I'm back to work this week and classes start on Monday so it's pretty busy right now. Haven't acted yet. I'm going to try to call the number you gave me and see what I can find out. Will also try to get comparative weight of "beet juice".

Thanks for the info, JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

 

[JimBinMI]

Re: Filling Tires More weight

richH,

My dealer in Coldwater fills with "Rim Guard" same thing as beet juice. Will take my rears down to my dad tomorrow and he'll take them to the dealer Monday morning and get them filled. Price right around $100. I'll let you guys know exactly how much, my tires are 29 x 12 - 15, 4pr r3, turfs.

JimBinMI

 

[dullpain]

Re: Filling Tires More weight

You are right JimBinMi - it is "BEET Juice" as in "Sugar Beets"