Tires Filling Tires

[KEROSENEDRVR]

I will be receiving my DK35 either today or tomorrow, I'm sooo excited.

My question is about filling tires. There seems to be a lot of different information about filling tires. For instance some people recommend filling with a mixture of anti-freeze and water, or windshield washer fluid. What would be the proper substance to use? Where does someone purchase an adapter for filling? If I wanted to fill my tires with foam for puncture resistance, how would I go about that?

I'll post some pics as soon as she arrives.

Thanks

 

[KiotiJohn]

Congratulations Kero!
If you live where the weather gets really cold, you'll want to fill with something that won't freeze i.e. foam, windshield washer fluid, water and antifreeze or water and calcium chloride.
The antifreeze is dangerous to animals if you get a leak, the calcium is corrosive and will kill all vegetation if you get a leak, foam is very expensive but some say well worth it.
If I ever decide to fill mine, I'll use windshield washer fluid as it has anti corrosive properties and doesn't freeze easily either. Water/antifreeze also is anticorrosive. Others can give you the skinny on foam.
John

 

[Harrygoodwrench]

Foam is good stuff, no flats, good ballast qualities, but makes it ride hard on the road and the major thing is its EXPENSIVE. I had no idea how expensive until I was told to fill 4 tires on a good size construction loader. Quote was 250 per tire, no thank you I said. I know these tires are much smaller but take into consideration you will either have to bring entire machine or the tires to them or have them do it as a field service. Either way its costly. Another down size is when tires need replacement you might as well as add 4 rims to price tag as you have to "sawsall" the old tires off.
If used in a construction environment with nails, debris, etc its definately worth it. Others must consider their needs.

 

[wallace]

Check out this web site and find out if you have any local dealers that carry the Rim Guard.
www.ballaststar.com

 

[VictorW]

Congratulations on the new DK. On an older tractor, with tires that had a tube, I used calcium cloride. Calcium is no good for tubeless. Eats up the rim unless you install a tube. I found a fill adapter at TSC, tractor suppy center. Also, saw one at an independant tractor parts dealer. I had asked a tractor tire dealer about antifreeze and he said not a good idea. If it gets between the rim and tire bead, the tire may start to slip. I guess you could use windshield washer fluid. I've heard of people using it. I thought of using RV antifreeze for the tubeless tires. The pink stuff that people run in the drains and water lines. Not corrosive, won't hurt animals or plants like the other stuff. You didn't mention what kind of tires you are getting on the new DK or what you'll be doing. With FWD and a locking diff., you may not need to fill them. Your tractor is about 3,450lbs. and should dig in pretty good. My new CK30 with Industrial tires does pretty good other than the tires tend to pack up in sticky mud. Do pretty good in snow and great on dry dirt. I'm comparing to a rear wheel drive tractor with no locking diff and 12.4-28 AG tires loaded that make the overall weight almost the same as the CK. Not loaded AG tires on the CK would probably make it bite in pretty good but would tear up my grass. The foam seems to have some drawbacks as Harry mentioned. I've heard of the stuff Wallace pointed out but don't know anybody using it. Price would be a major consideration.

 

[DK35vince]

I used winshield washer fluid in my DK.
If you are using a front end loader I do recommend loading the rears. Made my DK much more stable for loader work on uneven ground.

I had my first malfunction on my DK 35 yesterday !!
Tachometer cable broke at 462 hours /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KEROSENEDRVR]

I appreciate everybody's input. I see there are some differences on what type of substance to use, windshield washer fluid, RV anti-freeze etc. I will check the Tractor Supply Store for a filler adapter. Thanks again everyone.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I see there are some differences on what type of substance to use, windshield washer fluid, RV anti-freeze etc. )</font>
Also keep in mind that each of these options has a different weight. Make sure you know how much weight you're adding, escpecially if you'll be trailering, because you could put some trailers over the limit with much heavier tires. John