Tires Loading tires with Calcium yourself

schole · Jul 3, 2006

I loaded my rear R4's on my L3400 with Calcium this week (was quoted 500$ so I did it myself). I couldn't find the info I needed all in one spot with a search, so I thought I'd add a post.

1. Added tubes with fluid valves. I had to break-down the tires (move the outer edge of the tire over the edge of the rim) to get the tubes in. I did one side alone -- got help for the other. Tonnes of soapy water and patience! (45$/tube)

2. Mixed up CaCl2 at 5 lbs/ gallon or a saturated solution (14$/bag)

3. I siphoned the fluid from a bucket on the fender after removing the valve core from the fluid valves. I had to remove the siphon tube from the valve stem every so often to release the air pressure which built up in the tire. Each tire took around 22.5 gal and around 2 hrs to fill.

What a difference! The tractor simply won't bounce like it used to with only a 3pth ballast. Furthermore, there are no appreciable marks left on dry lawn.

I highly recommend filling to improve loader operation and tractor stability.

Hope this helps someone.

Shawn

5030 · Jul 3, 2006

There are a couple of problems with CaCl. One is the weight of the tire and rim assembly if you have to dismount it say to change the rear wheel width and if the tube ruptures or the tire fails, the CaCl is almost as good as Roundup when it comes to killing anything green....like your lawn.

I prefer wheel weights or cast centers.

MadReferee · Jul 3, 2006

5030 said:
the CaCl is almost as good as Roundup when it comes to killing anything green....like your lawn.

I prefer wheel weights or cast centers.

Or Rim Guard which doesn't kill anything green and is heavier than CaCl.

Bedlam · Jul 3, 2006

Ive done the same once. but I used a funnel and ran a hoses from it , reducing the size as I went. lots of tape on the hose joints.(no pressure here)The hose was just a bit smaller than the valve opening, allowing air out on its own. bungy the funnel to the roll bar.Id fill the funnel and let it drip. It takes a long time.But went well. Sure cheaper than the dealer option.

schole · Jul 3, 2006

I used CaCl2 for the same reason that I decided to do it myself: cost.

I was quoted around 1$/lb (canadian) plus mounting hardware for cast wheel wts (around 700-800$!!!).

Rimguard isn't easily available around here -- I, and other TBN'ers have checked.

Adding more and more wt to the 3pth made the front ever more lighter (could have weighted it, too, I guess) and I didn't like the idea of more wear and tear on the 3pth linkages, wheel bearings, etc.

We had CaCl2 in all our tractors growing up on the farm and most folks around here have had plenty of positive experience with it.

BTW, 5lb/gal. is not supposed to freeze down to -50C. (? -60F?)