Rimguard vs. Methanol

[beppington]

After reading Rimguard's website, I'd probably just use windshield washer fluid. It's a little lighter than Rimguard, but you can run down to WalMart, Pep Boys, wherever, to get it.

Rimguard's website says windshield washer fluid is "somewhat toxic", whatever that means, but hey every car sprays it all over your own windshield, which is right around the corner from your own open side window, so how bad can it be.

As always, my :2cents:

 

[IslandTractor]

I'd still say that RimGuard is the preferred tire ballast so long as you either have the dealer install it before delivery or you are near a dealer to have it installed. I had it in my first tractor and thought it was a good choice especially because of the high weight per volume compared to other non CaCl alternatives.

However, for field or owner added ballast, WWF or methanol/water mix just seems a lot easier and has fewer downsides than anything else.

The RimGuard website unfairly critiques WWF/meth/water IMO. The subtle introduction of the "flammability" issue is just sleazeball negative advertising with no data to support it. They just throw around worrisome terms and hope some of it sticks in the consumers mind.

 

[baronthered]

Don't worry bout the methanol. The only time you need to worry about flammability is if it's over round 40 proof. In tires mixed with water no problem.

 

[Mace Canute]

Just to put things in perspective regarding the flammability of methanol, the auto ignition temperature (the minimum temperature required to ignite a gas or vapor in air without a spark or flame being present) of gasoline is about 535 degrees F. The auto ignition temperature of methanol is about 725 degrees F.

Fuels and Chemicals - Auto Ignition Temperatures

Here's a chart that gives good freezing points versus concentrations of methanol.

 

[Wacky]

Thanks to all for the replies. My new 2610 has the Methanol mix, I was wondering if it was good enough. I did not opt to have the front tires filled, just thought it was a waste due to the size of the tires. Was this a good idea or not? I do operate on steep inclines.

 

[Diamondpilot]

We run WWF around here. I buy it in 55 gallon drums for about $40 at the oil supply house. I then use a 12volt pump designed for a garden sprayer to put it in with some bits of hose and a valve I got at Napa for filling tires. Took less than a hour to put about 25 gallons in each wheel. No issues yet.

Chris

 

[crazyal]

Personally I would stick with rim guard. The reason why Methanol is added to windshield washer fluid is not to keep it from freezing, methylated spirits are used for that. It's added to clean things like road grime and bugs from your windshield. Secondly if you get a flat you'll be dumping a large quantity into the ground, it is toxic. When sprayed on a windshield it evaporates, rarely much more than an once is used at a time.

 

[IslandTractor]

if you get a flat you'll be dumping a large quantity into the ground, it is toxic. .

It does not persist in the ground and is minimally toxic to plants when spilled on them. The toxicity of methanol is primarily associated with direct ingestion by humans (?other mammals) in quantities that may not seem large (10-40ml of pure methanol) but these quantities would be very unlikely to be ingested by any animal as the leaking tire fluid would drain immediately into the ground. It does not persist in the soil. Basically, except for the toxicity induced by hepatic metabolism, methanol is really no more toxic than ethanol. I'm not sure there are studies to quote but it is likely no worse for the environment than spilling a similar quantity of wine (15% ethanol) into the ground.

 

[gauthier]

The only reason I would care if I got methinal on the ground would be it would mean I got a leak,

 

[DiezNutz]

Rimguard's website says windshield washer fluid is "somewhat toxic", whatever that means...

Bad news for those roving gangs of tire ballast thieves that are just waiting to strike, siphon tubes in hand...