jdrotert
Silver Member
I have unloaded turf tires on my Kubota B2150. I mostly use the tractor for mowing my 3-acre lawn. When I bought the tractor, it came with loaded R-1 (ag) type tires. I use the R-1's for loader work. Also, the in-laws have a 150-acre "recreation" farm. Before I trailer my tractor there, I swap over to the R-1 tires. The ballast in the R-1's is calcium choride (I'm thinking, it's kinda tan colored). Anyway, both rear rims have large rust chunks around the valve hole. When I brought the tractor home this last weekend from the farm, there was a small amount of fluid leaking out of the valve hole area. I swapped over to the turf's (because I had mowing to do!), and checked out that leaky tire/rim. I unscrewed the valve cap and the valve was completely full of white, hard powder. Next, the valve stem broke off! BTW, there are tubes in these tires, so the stem is all brass. I drained the fluid and have it in a drum right now.
Here's my dilema: Do I repair/replace the rims, get new tubes and just refill with the saved CaCl, or use something else? These tires are 12.4-16, so a 75% fill would only be 200lbs ea. of CaCl, so antifreeze/water or washer fluid won't cut it (around 140lbs ea.). Also, it seems that CaCl is corrosive to the brass vavle stems. Has anyone had trouble with CaCl loaded tires and vavle stems. Someone here says that he replaces his valve cores every year. I've read about Rim Guard here on TBN, but it seems that it's hard to find outside of Michigan. I think Miller Tire and/or Gempler's might have it. I'll have to check my catalogs at home, but shipping this stuff woulld be outragous! Lastly, I do all my own work, so cost is quite a concideration. That's why I'm contemplating refilling with the saved CaCl.
What would you do?
Here's my dilema: Do I repair/replace the rims, get new tubes and just refill with the saved CaCl, or use something else? These tires are 12.4-16, so a 75% fill would only be 200lbs ea. of CaCl, so antifreeze/water or washer fluid won't cut it (around 140lbs ea.). Also, it seems that CaCl is corrosive to the brass vavle stems. Has anyone had trouble with CaCl loaded tires and vavle stems. Someone here says that he replaces his valve cores every year. I've read about Rim Guard here on TBN, but it seems that it's hard to find outside of Michigan. I think Miller Tire and/or Gempler's might have it. I'll have to check my catalogs at home, but shipping this stuff woulld be outragous! Lastly, I do all my own work, so cost is quite a concideration. That's why I'm contemplating refilling with the saved CaCl.
What would you do?