Tires Recommended Fluid for tires

[OldBulldogger]

Hello again,
I looking for advice a the best type of fluid for rear tire wheel weight. I had someone tell me beet juice was the way to go. I had never heard of that. Can anyone share what they know about using beet juice - pro's and cons? Also, the pros/cons of other types of fluid.

Thanks!

 

[HCJtractor]

You have choices, somewhat dependent on your budget and how cold it gets where you live. Beet juice is very expensive. Some use windshield wiper fluid, but if you have big tires, it may take many gallons, so that can be costly also. Others use a calcium chloride solution, but it is corrosive to rims. I (and many others) use water and antifreeze. It's very cheap, and can be done yourself, and works just fine. Where I live, temps rarely reach the teens and don't stay there long, but with enough antifreeze, should work anywhere. I just can't see any disadvantage, except maybe the poisonous aspect if it were to leak around livestock or pets, but that would be rare. I filled both of my tires. All you need is a cheap hose adapter from Tractor supply and a small pump.

Never used beet juice. Maybe someone else can give you the details of that. I just don't see spending hundreds of dollars for fluid.

 

[LD1]

A lot of people use winshield washer fluild.

It is not as toxic as antifreeze, it is not a corrosive as calcuim, and it is cheaper than beet-juice AKA rimguard. But it is not as heavy as rimguard or calcium either.

A little more info is required to determine what is best for you. Like where you live?? How much do you want to spend?? Do you plan on doing it yourself?? or have someone else do it?

 

[k0ua]

Beet Juice, or Rimguard is a trade name is probably the prefered fluid if you can find it. A lot of guys use it. It has to be bought thru a dealer, as far as I know. some have paid only about 3.50 per gallon. I paid $4 per gallon for my RV antifreeze, as it is no toxic that is the route I went, and put it in myself. Winter Windshield washer fluid is also very popular, somewhat less toxic than Ethylene Glycol maybe, and cheaper than RV Antifreeze. These things can all be self installed. The chief advantage of Rimguard (beet juice) is that it weighs more than any of the others, even calcium cloride which requires a tube to be installed since calcium cloride is so corrosive. Since Rimguard weighs more per gallon, you wind up with more weight in the tire when you fill to the recommended 75% fill level. Do a search on this here using the search function. and you will find at least one thread on this per week here. Some of them are even quite "colorful"

James K0UA

 

[OldBulldogger]

I live in Minnesota so temps can get down to -20F. The tractor I bought has beet juice already in the wheels. I had never heard of that and wondered if it was the best choice. What is Rimguard and is it the same as beet juice? I plan to use the tractor for plowing snow so the extra weight will be needed.

Thanks.

 

[OldBulldogger]

Beet Juice, or Rimguard is a trade name is probably the prefered fluid if you can find it. A lot of guys use it. It has to be bought thru a dealer, as far as I know. some have paid only about 3.50 per gallon. I paid $4 per gallon for my RV antifreeze, as it is no toxic that is the route I went, and put it in myself. Winter Windshield washer fluid is also very popular, somewhat less toxic than Ethylene Glycol maybe, and cheaper than RV Antifreeze. These things can all be self installed. The chief advantage of Rimguard (beet juice) is that it weighs more than any of the others, even calcium cloride which requires a tube to be installed since calcium cloride is so corrosive. Since Rimguard weighs more per gallon, you wind up with more weight in the tire when you fill to the recommended 75% fill level. Do a search on this here using the search function. and you will find at least one thread on this per week here. Some of them are even quite "colorful"

James K0UA

Thanks James. I just finished posting my question and then your answer popped up. I appreciate the information.

 

[Soundguy]

as another poster stated, rimguard is a brand name for the generic product of beet juice.

soundguy

 

[RADIUM]

Engine anti-freeze??? You must not like your animals LOL. I would use calcium chloride with tubes, two machines one is 20 years old no rust on the rims, just remember to store the tractor with the valve stems up at 12 o'clock so the salt doesn't work on the stem in the off-season no problems here. My new tractor also has calcium chloride a lot cheaper than the windshield washer fluid route and of course rim guard, and no big deal if I get a puncture, which happens on a regular basis on my farm no need to call the hazmat team. take care

 

[Soundguy]

plenty of antifreeze choices including rv holding tank af / PG based antifreezes if you are squeamish about a few drops of EG hitting the ground.

keep in mind your rad and block hold a few gallons too!

soundguy

 

[OldBulldogger]

Thanks guys for all the good advice. It helps. The tractor I bought has the beet juice/rim guard in the rear tires already so it sounds like I'll stick with it. These forums are pretty helpful.