Tires Frozen tire liquid weight

mojoinco · Dec 31, 2009

Well, had a funny thing happen to me. It's our coldest time of the year (I hope -- not always only a 2 or 3 week deal), and we needed to uncover some driveway and pads (parking areas) so it will (eventually) melt clear.

So my wife finally gets some seat time in Blueford. Says she is worried about the way the rear end is bouncing up and down as she drives it. I tell her it is just cold heavy tires with flat spots.

Then I drive it a couple days later. And realize that as I drive along it goes 'thump-thump-BUMP-thump....". It isn't going 'thump-thump-thunk-thump...' like I had thought.

Then I notice how the tire is definitely going flat. So I get a guy to come over and he pops the bead and pulls out 2 or 3 10-20# blocks of ice and a bunch of 'snow cone' ice from the tire. I will be parking it in the shop for a couple of days until he comes back. Seems that the tractor came from North Carolina, and both tires seem to have a very light mix of anti-freeze.

Which meant another trip (after the inner tube trip) for some calcium-chloride. $82 for a tube, $161 for the calcium chloride. Expecting $100 before the second tire.

Glad there is no snow before the next effort.

Soundguy · Dec 31, 2009

I think I would have just upped the AF mix.. though for sure a new tube and cacl won't freeze.

soundguy

glc24 · Dec 31, 2009

That darn calcium chloride is just so doggone hard on equipment. Opting for RV anti-freeze might have been a better deal.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Greg

RickB · Jan 1, 2010

glc24 said:
That darn calcium chloride is just so doggone hard on equipment. Opting for RV anti-freeze might have been a better deal.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Greg

CaCl is no problem when it is kept inside the tube where it belongs. If leaking tubes and valves are repaired/replaced rather than neglected, the wheel equipment will last indefinitly. Those too cheap or inattentive to maintain CaCl filled tires properly will pay the price sooner or later. That's the cold, hard reality.

tawilson · Jan 1, 2010

glc24 said:
That darn calcium chloride is just so doggone hard on equipment. Opting for RV anti-freeze might have been a better deal.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Greg

RV antifreeze does freeze solid. It just doesn't expand to break the pipes. If you read the label it says "burst protection". I see in bottles I have left outside when it gets down in the single digits.

Soundguy · Jan 1, 2010

Are you aware of the volume change that water undergoes when it forms a crystal lattice? Ever wonder why ice floats? it's a density issue.. ice is less dense than water at a given unit mass.. which means it is also a larger volume.

soundguy

mojoinco · Jan 1, 2010

Well, managed to also break the left tube as well. Hoping to get both tire done tomorrow. It is supposed to get up to almost 40. It's inside, so it should melt some more by early afternoon. Might park it outside, valve down, to let it leak out.

So -- what is the proper method to maintain the tube/tire for CaCl? It looks to me like the tube has a two piece valve stem. Presumably either the adapter /reducer has O-rings that are replaceable? Or is it one of those things you just throw it out and replace the insert?

I did some research on the various tire fluids, and the best fluid (at least by weight, freeze point, AND environmental consideration) is 'beet juice'. But it has limited distribution, though there is a dealer in Denver (logistically not going to happen right now), and reportedly a Montana dealer down the road is one (I have talked to the owner before about interest in tractors and trailers -- you leave with the need to wash your hands because he is so full of 'stuff'); I wouldn't trust there work (seen there shop as well).

Anyhow, here is a nice chart of fluids: Comparing Types of Liquid Tire Ballast | OrangeTractorTalks

Soundguy · Jan 1, 2010

Beet juice ( rimguard) will be the most expensive.

you can get by fine with ww fluid, water and antifreeze.. or cheapest as cacl.. jus tmake sure you have leak free tubes and valve stems.. and if you fo get a leak.. repalc ethe tubes, and wash the rim out... keeping them painted inside and out helps as well.

soundguy

glc24 · Jan 1, 2010

RickB said:
CaCl is no problem when it is kept inside the tube where it belongs. If leaking tubes and valves are repaired/replaced rather than neglected, the wheel equipment will last indefinitly. Those too cheap or inattentive to maintain CaCl filled tires properly will pay the price sooner or later. That's the cold, hard reality.

Problem is,it doesn't always stay where it belongs. Even if you are quick to remedy a problem,its still a nasty chemical to deal with. I know a little about that stuff,I worked with it on the really big equipment for 10 years. If there is an alternative,I would use it.

Greg