Oh no!!! Flat tire already!!!

Glowplug · Feb 9, 2007

chrisjbell said:
Windshield washer fluid works well, too. And I think I read that you have tubes in your tires so you shouldn't need to worry about the fluid rusting out your rims.

You are correct. Thanks for the info on foam. I may have to consider it.

Z-Michigan · Feb 9, 2007

Glowplug said:
Actually my tires aren't filled with CaCl. They're filled with Windshield washer fluid rated to -20F. That's what my dealer fills all the tires with. I guess it makes sense too; it stays liquid down to -20F and would be noncorrosive. The only reason I mentioned CaCl is because that's what's in the owner's manual with those specifications.

That makes more sense. I think the solution is a mixture of methanol and water. Thing is now you have 400lbs of methanol/water mix percolating into your groundwater. Hope you don't park your tractor next to your wellhead!

I think this is why "Rimguard" has become the dominant choice here - it is supposedly nontoxic and noncorrosive with all the same benefits of being freeze resistant. No, I don't sell this stuff and I don't get a commission from them! As far as I can tell the cost is about the same, but availability depends on what's popular in your area. Around here all the dealers either have, or refer you to someone who has, rimguard.

After reading all this I'm rethinking that wheel weights or a ballast box might be the way I go...

Lynkage · Feb 9, 2007

I just called my friend who works at a tire dist. company. He is checking to see how much it will cost to fill my 17.5 24 r4's. He also said it would weigh the same or more with foam as it did with another liquid.!

kwolfe · Feb 9, 2007

I have read on previous posts that foam, depending on mixture, can be one of the heaviest options for filling tires. The only drawback that I read is that it can take some of the shock obsorbtion qualities that having some air in the tire provides. The thought was that this could be harder on the wheel bearings when the tractor is bouncing around. Hope that helps.

RobJ · Feb 9, 2007

Glowplug said:
At first I thought maybe the fluid had frozen in there. But he uses windshield washer fluid that stays liquid down to -20F. Probably even lower under pressure.

Do you know this to be a fact? I know the pressure in a radiator keeps the boiling temp down (by keeping the molecules fast motion in check somewhat...I think), but didn't know the reverse is true about low temps and pressure.

RobJ · Feb 9, 2007

kwolfe said:
I have read on previous posts that foam, depending on mixture, can be one of the heaviest options for filling tires. The only drawback that I read is that it can take some of the shock obsorbtion qualities that having some air in the tire provides. The thought was that this could be harder on the wheel bearings when the tractor is bouncing around. Hope that helps.

I friend foam filled his ATV tires, about 80-100 bucks a tire if I recall. He said it does make them heavy and the ride is not that great. Slows down the atv to. But you can run over all the honey locust and junk you want to.

With what we do with out tractors we might be just asking for flats. I know my grandfather and uncles had tractors that spent all their time in the cotton, corn, and bean fields and didn't get a flat for 20 years or more.

Glowplug · Feb 9, 2007

RobJ said:
Do you know this to be a fact? I know the pressure in a radiator keeps the boiling temp down (by keeping the molecules fast motion in check somewhat...I think), but didn't know the reverse is true about low temps and pressure.

As vapor pressure increases melting point decreases. But in just a couple atmospheres pressure it's probably a completely negligible difference.

Lynkage · Feb 9, 2007

I just got pricing for my tires. Normal price is $980.00 per tire but my friend can get them done for $720.00 per tire. I do not think this is that bad of a price knowing I will not get a flat again.

Taiser · Feb 9, 2007

$980.00 per tire!!??!!??

WTH?? Is this the same foam they use to insulate the tank on the space shuttle?????

I can think of a lot of options I can get for that kinda cash!

I'll take my chances with the nails!

Lynkage · Feb 9, 2007

I think of it like this. A new tire will run about $500 and after adding the "SUPER SECRET TRACTOR TIRE FOAM" you will not have problems until your tire wears out.

Or maybe I am just crazy