Loaded tires filled with....antifreeze?

ctgoldwing · Oct 31, 2023

Bill_B said:
Thanks guys. I am familiar with the two types of glycol because of my 30 years working in HVAC. I am also hoping it is P glycol and not E glycol. My worry is that they are using this as a way to dispose of old antifreeze (E type) that they have drained out of tractors during service work.

Being in hvac you may recognize Cryotek - a non-toxic antifreeze used in potable water systems. I diluted some and loaded my rears with it.
I just wasn't comfortable with a toxic fill.

skipmarcy · Nov 1, 2023

22 years ago when I bought my tractor new I had my local Co-op fill mine with 50/50 methanol - I had to buy a 55 gal drum to do my rear tires - 55 gal mix in each comes up to just over the top of the rim and the 50/50 mix gives me -10 F protection. I can't see paying for windshield washer fluid (1/2 water already) unless it equates to the same price as buying the methanol. Since the current price of ww fluid at Walmart is $3.66 a gal, I would think methanol would be cheaper.

After 5 years I ended up having to replace the rear tires with the CORRECT size that Mahindra failed to install and the interior of the tires & rims looked brand new still. Put the same mix back in and is still in it now 16 years later.

So, in 22 years (over 3000 hrs) of HEAVY work in all kinds of conditions - rocks, woods, various debris I have never lost a drop of the poisonous methanol. And, if for some reason I did, the methanol will evaporate VERY quickly and leave no residue at all.

90cummins · Nov 1, 2023

I use antifreeze in my tires because I had over 55 gallons of used 50/50 on hand.
Previously they had calcium chloride in them and it damage both my ag & turf tire rims.
I felt if was a good way to use old antifreeze.
90cummins

sheamus · Nov 21, 2023

I am wondering how much fluid I will need. This is my tire: Rear Industrial Tire, 15 x 19.5, 7385101. By my math that is roughly 215L (about 55 us gal) per tire. Does that sound right?

The cheapest I can find water system antifreeze is $35 for 19L (Canadian Tire) which means about $800 CAD, which seems high compared to what everyone else is doing. A 205L drums are about $450CAD, so actually cost more per L.
I can mix up the CaCl for about $200CAD.
A drum of windshield washer fluid is $271/drum.
It seems like the most economical would be to phone a shop and see if I can take their used antifreeze off their hands if they don't mix it with oil.

RjCorazza · Nov 21, 2023

sheamus said:
I am wondering how much fluid I will need. This is my tire: Rear Industrial Tire, 15 x 19.5, 7385101. By my math that is roughly 215L (about 55 us gal) per tire. Does that sound right?

The cheapest I can find water system antifreeze is $35 for 19L (Canadian Tire) which means about $800 CAD, which seems high compared to what everyone else is doing. A 205L drums are about $450CAD, so actually cost more per L.

I can mix up the CaCl for about $200CAD.

A drum of windshield washer fluid is $271/drum.

It seems like the most economical would be to phone a shop and see if I can take their used antifreeze off their hands if they don't mix it with oil.

According to several charts, a 75% fill would require 29 US gallons. I would not use calcium, although my previous tractor had calcium without issue for 15 years. There are companies that will come out and fill tires, and you may want to consider just paying to get it done. RimGuard is a popular solution, is environmentally friendly and heavier than most other options.

sheamus · Nov 21, 2023

RjCorazza said:
According to several charts, a 75% fill would require 29 US gallons. I would not use calcium, although my previous tractor had calcium without issue for 15 years. There are companies that will come out and fill tires, and you may want to consider just paying to get it done. RimGuard is a popular solution, is environmentally friendly and heavier than most other options.

Well the fact that my math is off that much makes it a lot more affordable.

I am just having a heck of a time sourcing anything other than CaCl. So far the only shop that I have found that carries anything but CaCl uses agrilime, but they won't sell it or fill anything but a new tractor off their lot.