Tires Questions concerning fluid in tires.....

[PapaPerk]

I have some questions about putting fluid in my tractor tires. Dealer uses windshield washer fluid. What does everyone think of that? I know windshield fluid is methanol. But does it cause corrison and can it freeze...eventually???? Also how about calcium clohride? I know it rusts things out? I would like to buy wheel weights. But the dealer will do the fluid fill for me for free! What should I do? Oh by the way I have a Kubota 3830 with a LA723 loader. So needless to say I could use some weight in the rear. I generally have a grader blade on the back but it still is light when picking up a full scoop. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[penokee]

Papa

I recently sold my AC WD, which had calcium chloride in the tires - one rim rusted out around the valve stem, but then it was an old tractor.
Have Rim guard in rear tires of my L3130. Paid $300 for it. Claim is that it reduces or eliminates rust damage to tire rims, valves, gauges, pumps and equipment. Wont freeze down to -35 d. It weighs approx. 10.7 #/gal.
I feel some type of wheel ballast is a must, both for traction and as a counter weight when doing FEL work.

penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JJT]

I have CaCl in my L3710, and had tubes put in the tires to prevent the rims from rusting. After several years with a very slow leak from a nail, I had the tube changed, the rim was rust free. I'm sticking with CaCl. I'd be surprised if the windshield washer fluid was cheaper than CaCl. My initial fill only cost me the price of the tubes, the dealer did the install for no charge.

 

[RalphVa]

My dealer put windshield wiper fluid into the rear tires of my JD 4010. The manual still specifies use of calcium chloride but recommends that the entire rim be covered up to the valve stem, with the stem at the top.

My neighbor had calcium chloride in her 1970-1973 JD 820 rear tires. She only this year had the tubeless stems removed and tubes put in.

Ralph

 

[RobS]

I had mine filled this fall with Rim Guard. It's beet juice, a byproduct of sugar beet production. It's non-toxic, non-corrosive, heavier than plain water and won't freeze. The guy who developed it is here in Michigan somewhere but his web-site leaves something to be desired. Best bet is to call your local ag tire distributor and ask about it. I had mine filled at a Farm Bureau Coop nearby /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[johndeere2210]

I have been using WW fluid for several years in various pieces of L&G equipment and CUTs. It has always worked well and the rust problem is minimal. I have demounted tires for repair that have never had any ballast that are in worse shape than those with WW fluid. Some one once suggested using RV antifreeze but I have never tried it.

 

[btolle]

Kansas State University says "If corrosion presents a problem, a water and antifreeze mixture can be used." I have not tried it yet but that is what I will use if I load my tires. The downside is anti freeze may damage grass if it leaks.

The Kansas State Univ. website also points out that "Liquid ballast has an effect on inflation pressure that is often overlooked. In most cases, the inflation pressure of a fluid filled tire is checked with the valve stem at the top in order to sample the air. However, the column of fluid in the tire adds pressure to the bottom of the tire. As shown in Figure 2, each foot of fluid height equals about ½ psi pressure. Since most tires have about 3 to 4 feet of fluid in them, this can easily make 2 psi difference. Thus, if 16 psi are needed at the bottom of the tire, the gauge at the top of the tire should read about 14 psi."

I think one of the reasons for using calcium chloride is that it is heavier than water. According to Dow Chemical a 28% solution of calcium chloride/water weighs 10.6 pounds. Water alone is about 8 pounds per gallon.

Firestone has some notes about calcium chloride.

Carver Equipment has a good page about tire ballasting.

I did notice that the Operator's Manual for my B7510 says to add ballast ONLY to the rear tires, not the front tires.

Bill Tolle

 

[DDT]

I used winter WW fliud in a JD 4400, never had a problem. It did the job and made cheap weight, at the time there was a sale on for .50 per gal. I used 26 gal per side. If I need weight on my new L5030 I will use it again. If your use it make sure it is winter WW fluid.

 

[keeney]

RE: <font color="green"> "I think one of the reasons for using calcium chloride is that it is heavier than water. According to Dow Chemical a 28% solution of calcium chloride/water weighs 10.6 pounds. Water alone is about 8 pounds per gallon. " </font>

WW Fluid is even lighter, still.

My JD Operator's guide for my 4100 says:

"A solution of water and calcium chloride provide safe, economical ballast. Used properly, it will not damage tires, tubes, or rims."

It then goes on:

"Note: Use of alcohol as ballast is not recommended. Calcium chloride solution is heavier and more economical."

- Rick

 

[Syncro]

Bill- Thanks for posting this, I never connected with tire pressure having to be adjusted lower to compensate for ballast. Interesting Firestone website too, and a good site for inflation charts. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

As for Calcium, we've been using it since I was a kid, but I also have to admit there were corrosion issues. For my new 'toys' I've switched to WW fluid, yup its a little lighter, but the difference isn't too great, besides these days I don't make my living with the tractor, so corrosion proof is more important to me now tnan a few extra pounds of ballast. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif