Frozen filled tires - how can you tell?

[FTG-05]

When I got my tractor +4 years ago, I knew the rear tires were filled but the previous owner didn't know with what. Hence, I followed the advice of my BIL, who's owned tractors all his life, removed all the old fluid, then refilled with 5 gallons RV antifreeze, the rest water (total of 55 gallons).

It's been in the low teens and mid-20s here all week (SC TN). How can you tell if the fluid is frozen without moving the tractor and possibly damaging the tires? Thankfully, I haven't had to use it since the Siberian weather came through a week or so ago.

Did a search, found nothing on frozen tires. If there's a thread out there, feel free to point me to it. I figure all the guys out there that live in Siberia (defined as anywhere north of the TN/KY border), surely someone here has had this problem before.

Thanks,

 

[shui5612]

Well... I guess take a hammer/rubber mallet and gently hit the sidewall of the tire.. it should make a different sound when frozen.. can't think of anything else besides opening the valve and seeing if water comes out or not

 

[def38]

Make a small volume of the same solution (a quart will do) put it in a gallon milk jug, place it next to your tractor and use that as your freeze gauge. Oh, drink the milk first.

 

[joecdeere]

remember, RV antifreeze will turn to slush or even a bit thicker, it's selling point is the fact that it won't expand and bust pipes. If you have any doubt, don't move it the least little bit until it warms back up a bit. When the weather is over, drain a bit and put in your freezer to gauge your mixture, Tires are very expensive, don't take a chance.

 

[FTG-05]

Make a small volume of the same solution (a quart will do) put it in a gallon milk jug, place it next to your tractor and use that as your freeze gauge. Oh, drink the milk first.

That brings up a good idea: See if I can drain a quart from one of the tires. if I get lquid, probably OK. If I get bumpkis, well there's my answer!

Thanks!

 

[FTG-05]

remember, RV antifreeze will turn to slush or even a bit thicker, it's selling point is the fact that it won't expand and bust pipes. If you have any doubt, don't move it the least little bit until it warms back up a bit. When the weather is over, drain a bit and put in your freezer to gauge your mixture, Tires are very expensive, don't take a chance.

That's a good point and brings up another idea: lift the tractor and rotate the tire. If it's liquid, it will stay put. if it's solid, it will rotate until the heavy side is down.

Thanks!

 

[LouNY]

If you get liquid you may be good, I'm not familiar with the RV anti freeze but 5 gallons into 50 doesn't sound like it would give much freeze protection.
The problem with a tire that gets frozen is that there is a good possibility of tearing the tube, tubeless I have no idea what would happen, if it is froze it
will take a long time for that ice cube to melt, days.

 

[sd455dan]

If you get liquid you may be good, I'm not familiar with the RV anti freeze but 5 gallons into 50 doesn't sound like it would give much freeze protection.
The problem with a tire that gets frozen is that there is a good possibility of tearing the tube, tubeless I have no idea what would happen, if it is froze it
will take a long time for that ice cube to melt, days.

It will do more than that -

my FIL's Yanmar was bought with under strength fill in it's tires

started to blow snow and made 1 trip down the driveway before he noticed the tires weren't rolling normally.

tore Both R 1 rear tire sidewalls out and he had to buy New tires

 

[fried1765]

When I got my tractor +4 years ago, I knew the rear tires were filled but the previous owner didn't know with what. Hence, I followed the advice of my BIL, who's owned tractors all his life, removed all the old fluid, then refilled with 5 gallons RV antifreeze, the rest water (total of 55 gallons).

It's been in the low teens and mid-20s here all week (SC TN). How can you tell if the fluid is frozen without moving the tractor and possibly damaging the tires? Thankfully, I haven't had to use it since the Siberian weather came through a week or so ago.

Did a search, found nothing on frozen tires. If there's a thread out there, feel free to point me to it. I figure all the guys out there that live in Siberia (defined as anywhere north of the TN/KY border), surely someone here has had this problem before.

Thanks,

An 11 to one ratio (5 gal. in 55 gal.) of RV antifreeze, is woefully inadequate for tire freeze protection.
Before determining what fluid to use, I decided to experiment.
I filled a 1qt. plastic milk container with 50% water, and 50% RV antifreeze, and put it in my freezer.
Bad idea!
Mixture froze solid (freezer temp 0 degrees).
I then tried 75% RV anti freeze.
Mixture was now soft ice.

Tried the same freezer experiment with STRAIGHT -20F rated WWF.
Excellent result!
No freezing at 0 degrees.
WWF cost $1.20/gal., but sometimes less when on sale.

On a personal note though:
Best "solution" for me is Florida.
I won't be going back North to my tractors until late April.

 

[Deere Dude]

RV antifreeze is already diluted for the right temperature. Diluted with straight water as in your tire will make it almost useless against freezing.

You should have used a antifreeze concentrate and mix it to the right levels for the temp needed for protection, or premixed for a certain temp protection.