methylene alcohol

[BobG_in_VA]

I have the old corrosive fluid and my valve core leaks. How do you change the valve core without losing the fluid? Where did you get the pump and how easy is it to fill/refill a rear tire? Do you take the tire off the tractor?

I'll go over the pump/fill thing....Get a cheap small sump pump with a standard garden hose connector at the top. Next search this site for the connector that screws onto the tractor tire (maybe someone will chime in and give us a link..I found it on this site somewhere about 6 years ago..), then (of all things) go to Lowes/Home Depot and get a 5 or so foot washing machine hose. Get a 5 gallon bucket (I use an empty crunchy cat food container), hook up the hoses, jack up the rear end of the tractor (put the tire stem even with the top of the axle), put the sump pump into the bucket, pour in about 2 gallons at a time. Now, here's the part that you need to understand: Hold the plug -in for the pump...when the bucket empties, unplug the sump, the air that has built up in the tire will bubble out in the bucket, now add another 2 or so gallons, ...repeat until you get your fill...I mean your tire's fill...BobG in VA PS: don't forget to take the stem off the tractor tire once the tire is jacked up.

 

[fried1765]

I'll go over the pump/fill thing....Get a cheap small sump pump with a standard garden hose connector at the top. Next search this site for the connector that screws onto the tractor tire (maybe someone will chime in and give us a link..I found it on this site somewhere about 6 years ago..), then (of all things) go to Lowes/Home Depot and get a 5 or so foot washing machine hose. Get a 5 gallon bucket (I use an empty crunchy cat food container), hook up the hoses, jack up the rear end of the tractor (put the tire stem even with the top of the axle), put the sump pump into the bucket, pour in about 2 gallons at a time. Now, here's the part that you need to understand: Hold the plug -in for the pump...when the bucket empties, unplug the sump, the air that has built up in the tire will bubble out in the bucket, now add another 2 or so gallons, ...repeat until you get your fill...I mean your tire's fill...BobG in VA PS: don't forget to take the stem off the tractor tire once the tire is jacked up.

You can buy a liquid tire fill fitting at TSC for about $10.
You will still need the cheap small pump.
The fitting incorporates a little push to release air valve, that makes the filling process very simple.

 

[FMFProperties]

I am going to use windshield washer fluid on my new tractor. I used antifreeze about 7 years ago on my other tractor but this one has bigger tires and I have less money (I bought a cab tractor this time, lol). My question is that I read to use 40% instead of 74% for less bounce. My other tractor I did 75% so I don't have anything to compare.

Has anyone done 40% instead of filling it 75%? I plan to do it to 40% first and test it a while and if needed I can always add more but was looking for anyone's experience with this.

 

[fried1765]

I am going to use windshield washer fluid on my new tractor. I used antifreeze about 7 years ago on my other tractor but this one has bigger tires and I have less money (I bought a cab tractor this time, lol). My question is that I read to use 40% instead of 74% for less bounce. My other tractor I did 75% so I don't have anything to compare.

Has anyone done 40% instead of filling it 75%? I plan to do it to 40% first and test it a while and if needed I can always add more but was looking for anyone's experience with this.

I think the primary reason for 75% being recommended is to keep the rim bead edge completely submerged in fluid at all times.

 

[FMFProperties]

I think the primary reason for 75% being recommended is to keep the rim bead edge completely submerged in fluid at all times.

How does that help the center of gravity or the traction or why does the rim need to be submerged all the time?

 

[k0ua]

How does that help the center of gravity or the traction or why does the rim need to be submerged all the time?

To fight corrosion. No oxygen (or very low oxygen) no corrosion.

 

[FMFProperties]

To fight corrosion. No oxygen (or very low oxygen) no corrosion.

But tractor tires without any liquid are more exposed to oxygen so you're saying they're more likely to corrode? I'm missing something here.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

My first tractor was loaded with salt solution. Worked fine for about twenty years and then for reason totally UKN - it began dissolving valve cores - what a TOTAL DAM mess. The last couple years I was replacing cores about every 6 to 8 months.

Calcium over time becomes more acid due to a chemical breakdown. Used to work with it in the industrial refrigeration industry. We loaded it with corrosion inhibitors up front. Depending on its end use a routine PH test was scheduled and the inhibitors renewed if necessary. A system that had not been tested and updated routinely would create a mess with corroded piping and pumps, actually eats up the metal, and sludge in he bottom of the cooling vessel, cost the customer big bucks to fix. Leaks were always easy to find as corrosion started right away as air breaks down the inhibitors fast.

My BIL was a big farmer in Oregon with several tractors and combines; he always used calcium but knew about the corrosion problem and kept after it. He was breaking down a tire in his shop once when I was visiting, the inside of the rim was bright and shiny. He always sanded off the paint on a rim before mounting and charging a tire because the calcium broke down the paint anyway.

Weight/volume is the greatest with calcium, more you add the heaver. In refrigeration for -60F the mix was like heavy syrup it had so much calcium

Ron

Ron

 

[FMFProperties]

I considered it but only for a second. That's why I'm using windshield washer fluid. Still researching and trying to figure out 75% full vs 40% full and why.

 

[Oldoak]

But tractor tires without any liquid are more exposed to oxygen so you're saying they're more likely to corrode? I'm missing something here.

No. No liquid, no moisture to go along with the oxygen to cause corrosion. It is not the oxygen or water alone that causes the corrosion.

 

[fried1765]

No. No liquid, no moisture to go along with the oxygen to cause corrosion. It is not the oxygen or water alone that causes the corrosion.

Correct!
More complete explanation than mine.

 

[k0ua]

But tractor tires without any liquid are more exposed to oxygen so you're saying they're more likely to corrode? I'm missing something here.

In the presence of the liquid mixtures it is better to have the steel submerged than being liquid part of the time and oxygen exposed part of the time. This is why a piece of iron at the bottom of a lake last longer than a piece of iron that is exposed to moisture but in the air. The lower the oxygen content the better.

 

[4570Man]

What would happen if you filled the tires half way and nitrogen filled the tires?

 

[k0ua]

What would happen if you filled the tires half way and nitrogen filled the tires?

That sounds like a good idea.

 

[CADplans]

What would happen if you filled the tires half way and nitrogen filled the tires?

The oxygen that can cause rusting is available in the water (H2O)

my rims are submerged,, a tire company did it.
He said they submerge all rims.

My tires have methanol and water,, the old rims and tires had calcium chloride,,,

 

[downslope]

You can buy a liquid tire fill fitting at TSC for about $10.
You will still need the cheap small pump.
The fitting incorporates a little push to release air valve, that makes the filling process very simple.

You can actually get quite a bit of fluid into a tire without any pump at all. Position a container with a bulkhead hose fitting at the bottom (I used half of an old swimming pool filter) at some height above the tire. Lower the tractor jack until the tire is "squished" at the bottom. Connect the hose ends and fill the tank with fluid. When you raise the jack and the tire expands the fluid will be drawn into the tire; repeat.

It is not necessary to prevent total solid freezing, only use enough concentration to allow slush to form under your local winter conditions.

 

[FMFProperties]

...My tires have methanol and water,, the old rims and tires had calcium chloride,,,

Where did you buy the methanol? I think the local glass supplier might have some but not sure yet (they're closed on weekends). Do you know if pure methanol is corrosive?

 

[Dave M7040]

Where did you buy the methanol? I think the local glass supplier might have some but not sure yet (they're closed on weekends). Do you know if pure methanol is corrosive?

With summer approaching, start looking for sales of Windshield washer fluid. It will be pre mixed and have a temp rating like -34 F etc so no guess work.

Some gas stations have bulk Windshield washer fluid tanks so you can refill your old container. Likely a better price than buying by the jug at TSC or similar.

Dave M7040

 

[FMFProperties]

Maybe in Canada but in Texas the only thing on the shelves right now is "0 degrees" and "+32 degrees" liquids. I'm just going to fill the tires up tomorrow with plain water since there's no chance of freezing temps for a while now and when November comes along I'll look for the "-20 degrees" or the "-32 degrees" windshield washer fluids.