RimGuard - Yes or No?

JCA · Apr 3, 2004

Hi folks,

I've almost made a deal on a compact tractor; one question is the loaded tires. I asked for a quote on rimguard-loaded tires - $350 extra. Sounds like a lot to me.

I've got some pretty hilly land, but I've also got some springs--areas that are always wet. So while the extra weight would be good in some instances, it might not be so good in others. I'll be using the tractor mostly for blowing snow, grading, chipping, and carrying firewood and stuff in the bucket (plus all those other uses I haven't thought of yet). I figure that if I decide the rimguard would be good, I can probably get it for that price on the first service, or from a different dealer, later on, right?

So I'm inclined, for now, to skip the loaded tires and save the money. Anyone think I'd be making a mistake? I don't intend to take chances on those hills anyway.

Thanks,
Jim

AndyMA · Apr 3, 2004

I say go for the RimGuard. My TN has it in it and I don't know what it cost originally because my dealer won't even well a tractor with loader without loading the tires without the buyer signing a wavier. I did pay $140 for RimGuard when I lost all of it in 1 tire due to a puncture. If you ever do get a puncture, park with hole on top and jack weight off tire. You'll usually loose less than 25%. RimGuard is about $2 / gallon and there is also time to install it so the price sounds ok. Good luck with your new purchase.

Andy

Poppa · Apr 3, 2004

Jim, when you say 350 extra is that above the cost of tires loaded with something else? or is that the total cost of loading the tires?

Mike

PineRidge · Apr 3, 2004

Jim adding additional weight to your tractor is a choice that we all make at one time or another. Some members opt for the permanent liquid ballast and some of us opt for the bolt on cast iron weight. Whatever your final choice is just remember that the liquid ballast is considered permanent while cast can easily be removed whenever necessary.

zuiko · Apr 3, 2004

I have antifreeze in mine. I would consider windshield washer fluid as well. Both are a lot cheaper. I paid $30 to get my rears filled. For $350 I would consider buying cast iron weights instead since they are removable and dont leak out if you get a flat.

JCA · Apr 3, 2004

Poppa,

$350 is the cost of loading the tires, period.

One dealership I talked to said that they offered rim guard at their cost, which I think was around $100. Then again, their tractors cost more. So I guess it evens out....

Thanks,
Jim

gone · Apr 4, 2004

Jim my dealer inciuded calceum cloried filled in price. with a loader it's pretty much standard practice to fill rears,it is recomended by most manufactures. calceum has been fine for years when done right. i can't figure out the hype on other fluids. i don't know weight of rim gaurd but whasher fliud does't come close to calceum in weight per gal. it is still standard practice in constuctin and farm equipment. i have not seen roted rim in my years around tractors,40+. I have seen roted front rims on an old JD b and h though no liquid and built before my time.

Henro · Apr 4, 2004

i don't know weight of rim gaurd but whasher fliud does't come close to calceum in weight per gal. 

Granted a salt+water solution would weigh more than plain water or WW fluid...but how much more?

Found the answer here...good article about 2/3 down the document.

Answer is that calcium increases the weight of the liquid 20% to 28% over plain water, at additions of 3.5 and 5 lbs per gallon respectively.

Calcium solution is heavier, but ww fluid or plain water still aren't too shabby, when compaired to air... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I don't know the weight of Rimguard either... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

DK35vince · Apr 4, 2004

( i can't figure out the hype on other fluids. i don't know weight of rim gaurd but whasher fliud does't come close to calceum in weight per gal. )

I can tell you why I went with windshield washer fluid.
1. I had easy access to ww fluid and could fill the tires myself for around $90.
2. Didn't feel the need to break down the tire and add a tube like would be nessasary with calcium.
3. I added 40 gal of ww fluid per rear tire, which was all the weight I needed.

Poppa · Apr 4, 2004

I think, but too lazy to look it up that water comes in at about 8 lbs per gallon. According to the rimguard site, Rimguard comes in at about 10.7 lbs per gallon or an increase of about 30 percent.

Mike

gone · Apr 4, 2004

(Didn'tfeel the need to break down tire and ad a tube like would be nessasary with calcium) the truth is you do not have to add a tube,this has been done for many years with tubeless tires and not adding tubes.thats a fact. and is still done today. calcium mix with water in 55 gal. drum and pumped in tire, so lets end the tube myth.

MadReferee · Apr 4, 2004

Rim Guard was $175 installed in R4's on a Kubota B2710 (12.4-16 tires). Dealer was Chappell in Milford NH.

JJT · Apr 4, 2004

If you're getting a fel get your tires loaded. Mine cost $100 for CaCl, (17.5L 24's). Personally I'd avoid windshield washer fluid and antifreeze. Both of these are environmental disasters if you have a catastrophic leak.

MikePA · Apr 4, 2004

Personally I'd avoid windshield washer fluid and antifreeze. Both of these are environmental disasters if you have a catastrophic leak. 
So is CaCl. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Ever try getting something to grow where CaCl has spilled? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Henro · Apr 4, 2004

Personally I'd avoid windshield washer fluid and antifreeze. Both of these are environmental disasters if you have a catastrophic leak. 

Antifreeze can be pretty bad, but WW Fluid an environmental disaster? Could be, but there sure is a lot of the stuff purposely sprayed all across the country, and within every major city and small town...

So what actually is the environmental issue with WW fluid if one would spill it? I just assumed that the it would not be anywhere near the problem that many gallons of anitfreeze would be.

gone · Apr 4, 2004

Cacl can't be too too bad, here in N.H. we mix 90% cacl into reclaimed road at 1 gal per sq. yd before re paving. i cant imagine epa or the state to alow this if it were enviomental hasard. but you beter not dump antifreeze. washer fliud ithink would have the least impact. i agree you cant grow grass on cacl spill but you couldn't grow it on a salt spill either and salt is natural. a hevey dose of anything will change soil PH and know it or not the average for any veg. is 6.5 on PH scale,average some more acid some more alkiline. somwere i remember reeding to add a little cacl to a certain plant

Junkman · Apr 4, 2004

( Cacl can't be too too bad, here in N.H. we mix 90% cacl into reclaimed road at 1 gal per sq. yd before re paving. )

What is the purpose of doing this??.... Please define or explain what "reclaimed road" is. I am not certain that I know exactly what you are referring to.... thanks...

Mrwurm · Apr 5, 2004

I'm not sure how big your tires are, but I payed $150 to fill my rear tires with RimGuard. I have 13.6x16 turf tires.

spencer200 · Apr 5, 2004

Rim guard is also heavier than calcium filled tires 1 gallon of ballast star which is what we use. [same product] is 10.3 pounds per gallon.

zuiko · Apr 5, 2004

( What is the purpose of doing this??.... )

Probably to keep the dust down or to melt ice. They use sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride to melt ice here. Same stuff you find in the fancy ice melting packages that work below zero degrees.

WW fluid spill wouldn't be bad, it's just alcohol/water mix. The alcohol evaporates very fast.