Fluid in tires

[Toffy]

I just finished reading in the Farm Show Newspaper,about a fellow who made a contraption to fill his tires with windshield wiper fluid.
I have had tires with fluid in them and I do like them as they are better than weights. IE> Because the weight is carried where it is required on the ground not on the axial.
Anyway i know this will put you tech types into a whirlwind of a lot of things I don't really care about.
However my question is. Has anybody used windshield washer fluid? If so tell me about it. If not tell me what is now used.
My B212 has had fluid Calcium Chloride for 20+ years. The only thing I don't like about it is it freezes when real cold.:confused2:

 

[jwstewar]

If you do a search, a lot of folks have used WW fluid in their tires - including myself. I've had it in the rears of my NH now for 6 years. No issues what so ever. Made the tractor a lot more stable. Not sure why someone had to make a contraption to fill their tires. Tractor Supply and Napa usually have an adaptor that will connect a garden hose to your tire valve for about $8. It even has a purge button on it to purge the air from your tire as you fill. You can then either pour the fluid into the hose or like I did, use a little pump and pump it in so that the job is easier. I believe I put 22 or 23 gallons in the rear tires of my NH - make sure you use winter formula.

 

[jlsmith]

Or you could just use water and antifreeze. Thats what i have been doing for years and it seems to work fine. Depending on the tire size i put atleast 4 gallons per tire and then add the water.

 

[Soundguy]

if your cacl mix freezes when real cold.. it don't have much cacl in it!!

lotsa people use rv antifreeze or regular antifreeze... some ww fluid.. some cacl mix.. some beet juice..

soundguy

 

[Mounted Madness]

Also, if you're interested in using calcium chloride, the tire dealer I was getting advice from, strongly suggested I use an inner tube in the tire before loading it. Otherwise, it'll hasten rusting of the wheel.

Did so, and no rust on outside of rim. :laughing: Haven't checked the inside though.

 

[Soundguy]

if the tube don't leak.. don't expect rust. if it does leak.. when you take it down to repalce the tube. wash the rim and center out real good.. and keep them painted. paint don't rust...

soundguy

 

[wvpolekat]

I have straight water in mine. Yeah, it freezes when it gets real cold for days. Makes the ride a bit bumpier and may diminish traction somewhat due to a lack of tire flex. Just slow down a bit and it will be fine. The tire can expand more than the water will when it freezes, it won't hurt anything and is a heck of a lot cheaper.

 

[foggy1111]

Or you could just use water and antifreeze. Thats what i have been doing for years and it seems to work fine. Depending on the tire size i put atleast 4 gallons per tire and then add the water.

To me this is a no-no. Ethylene glycol is poison to critters and a flat could contaminate your soils and potentially critters - who are drawn to the sweet taste. Why not go to something that is environmental friendly? The pink RV antifreeze would do no harm.

 

[gsdavis1]

Just put Windshield Washer Fluid in mine a few weeks ago. Got mine from WalMart (cheapest at $1.64 a gallon) I was able to get 11 gallons per rear tire with the valve placed at 12 o clock when filling. This is the second tractor I have ever done it on and I have no complaints. I used the little fill valve from Tractor Supply (the one with the air purge button) and a cheap harbor freight hand pump. Took about an hour each tire.

Greg

 

[Toffy]

Thanks for the info. I really like the idea of RV antifreeze.
Could somebody post a picture of the fill valve. I' not sure I could get one where I'm at.