Getting calcium out of tires

DanB53 · Sep 14, 2012

My tires are loaded with calcium but I don't plan on pulling or anything so does anyone have a good way to empty them without causing an enviromental disaster?

kneedeep · Sep 14, 2012

Use the same tool that fills tires with water to drain in a container. You will have to jack up the tire and use a hose to drain the liquid out.

MIKE R · Sep 14, 2012

LD1 said:
There are several ways to remove it. But it depends on what type of fluid it was loaded with, AND what you plan to do AFTER it is out.

So My question to you would be, Why are you removing it?????

If you are doing it because you dont like/want/need the extra weight, I'd reconsider that.

If you are removing it because you have to change tires, do you plan on trying to save the fluid to re-use or not? There are 4 main things it could be loaded with. Calcium, antifreeze, WW fluid, or rimguard. Do you know what is in there??

If you dont plan on re-using, and it is non-toxic, and you are getting new tires, a big hole in the tire is the quickest and easiest way.

If you plan on re-using, Jack the back of the tractor up, put the valve stem at the top, and let the air out. Pull the valve ste and attach a hose. Rotate the tire to the bottom and drain. But this will only get about 1/2 of the fluid out. To get the rest, you have to take the tire off.

After the fluid is down as far as it will using gravity to come out. Use a small hose through the valve stem with a drill pump to get the rest out. Keep the calcium away from leather it will eat it pretty quick. You will then be going to get a new pair a boots.

MHarryE · Sep 15, 2012

Come out here and drain them on the road in front of my place. Our gravel roads get sprayed with calcium chloride once a year to reduce maintenance cost and keep the dust down, except the county was short of money this year so they only sprayed the roads where people lived near the road and since we are 450 feet back we don't get the road in front of us sprayed. Dust isn't a problem, but washboarding is, and I am too cheap to pay to have the CaCl put down, but anyone wanting to drain some would be more than welcome.

DanB53 · Sep 15, 2012

:confused3:I would but thats quite a drive from northern Ontario to Northeastern Minnesota. Hahaha.

MIKE R · Sep 15, 2012

DanB53 said:
:confused3:I would but thats quite a drive from northern Ontario to Northeastern Minnesota. Hahaha.

By the time you would get there it would be time for new tires.

Dead Horse · Sep 16, 2012

Agreed, you will never get it all out anyway, or you will leave water in the tubes/tires trying.

Loaded tires are the best ballast there is........... why "make" work????????

DanB53 · Sep 16, 2012

My main concern is rotting the rims out. Plus both tires leak some when it's parked making a mess.

MIKE R · Sep 16, 2012

DanB53 said:
My main concern is rotting the rims out. Plus both tires leak some when it's parked making a mess.

Does it have tubes? Change the tubes after the calcium is drained to get the remaining calcium out. Leaking calcium is a early sign that the tire is starting to leak and will cause issues latter on.

SPYDERLK · Sep 16, 2012

DanB53 said:
My main concern is rotting the rims out. Plus both tires leak some when it's parked making a mess.

MIKE R said:
Does it have tubes? Change the tubes after the calcium is drained to get the remaining calcium out. Leaking calcium is a early sign that the tire is starting to leak and will cause issues latter on.

I know it probably has tubes. But regardless, Is it leaking thru the tires anywhere? If it is there is CaCl in the carcass. When it dries it will crystalize and grind on the cords. Best to do the drain while in the warming season and refill with water. Run the water all summer to flush all the CaCl on thru. Then drain.
larry