Saltwater for tire ballast

[Danny1553]

Calcium chloride IS a salt, but I know what you meant. At room temperature, you can mix about 86 grams of calcium chloride into 100CCs of water. Put into everyday units, it's about five pounds of calcium chloride into a gallon of water at saturation.

Sodium chloride has a lower but more stable solubility curve. At room temperature, you can dissolve at 36 grams of sodium chloride into 100CCs of water, or about 3 pounds per gallon of water at saturation.

There is a solubility chart here.

One thing to consider is that calcium chloride gives freezing protection to significantly lower temperatures than sodium chloride. Calcium chloride at saturation is good to about -40 degrees, while sodium chloride at saturation is good to about -17 degrees Celsius, or -2 degrees Fahrenheit.

It may not get anywhere near that cold where you live; I don't run anything other than straight water in mine without trouble. I'm lucky to not live where it freezes hard. I don't like the idea of running salt water all over my garden and orchard for the time I have a leak or puncture. On a tractor with 11.2x24 tires, I give up about 250 lbs running straight water rather than calcium chloride: straight water weighs about 400 lbs and the solution would weigh about 650 lbs. Or, it's the difference between having me on the tractor vs not being aboard.

Thanks for the "science" behind tire ballast! I had wondered about saturation points, etc, but it's been too many years since science class...Very helpful information. I knew CaCl was a salt, however, most people think sodium chloride (table salt) when they hear the word "salt". All things considered (thanks for all the replies), I have decided to go with CaCl, as I need all the weight I can get (just like drag racing, HP is useless if you can't get the power to the ground), here in SE Indiana it can get downright cold; way below -6 in the dead of a bad winter, plus, my tires are already tubed, so corrosion is less of an issue. Just happened to see the stuff while I was walking through the Wally World the other day, and that got me thinking...which is usually a bad thing!

The reason I'm needing tire ballast now is because I'm finally nearly complete on the construction of the loader I built over the summer. Took awhile, but seems to be turning out OK. Couple more pins to make, and some plumbing, and she'll be done! I will post pictures and a write-up, if anyone is interested.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

ABSOLUTELY interested in seeing pictures and article on your home made projects.......

Good luck

 

[Don87]

Thanks for the "science" behind tire ballast! I had wondered about saturation points, etc, but it's been too many years since science class...Very helpful information. I knew CaCl was a salt, however, most people think sodium chloride (table salt) when they hear the word "salt". All things considered (thanks for all the replies), I have decided to go with CaCl, as I need all the weight I can get (just like drag racing, HP is useless if you can't get the power to the ground), here in SE Indiana it can get downright cold; way below -6 in the dead of a bad winter, plus, my tires are already tubed, so corrosion is less of an issue. Just happened to see the stuff while I was walking through the Wally World the other day, and that got me thinking...which is usually a bad thing!

The reason I'm needing tire ballast now is because I'm finally nearly complete on the construction of the loader I built over the summer. Took awhile, but seems to be turning out OK. Couple more pins to make, and some plumbing, and she'll be done! I will post pictures and a write-up, if anyone is interested.

Thats an odd looking bucket, aren't you afraid of the fabric tearing? :laughing::laughing::laughing:





I couldn't resist


Yes, please. show pics and the write up when finished. Then follow up with your views of it after working it for a while. Action video would be great if you can do it.

 

[Danny1553]

Thats an odd looking bucket, aren't you afraid of the fabric tearing? :laughing::laughing::laughing:





I couldn't resist


Yes, please. show pics and the write up when finished. Then follow up with your views of it after working it for a while. Action video would be great if you can do it.

Ha Ha! That is my 'lightweight materials bucket'. Heavy duty-er version to be installed at a later date...

 

[bucktaker]

I have read bunches on the calcium vs rimguard debate. Rimguard @ 3.00 per gal 60 gals per wheel I think I could afford a new rim in 20 yrs and still be ahead. if I still own the tractor
What do you think

 

[Don87]

I have read bunches on the calcium vs rimguard debate. Rimguard @ 3.00 per gal 60 gals per wheel I think I could afford a new rim in 20 yrs and still be ahead. if I still own the tractor
What do you think

If you can find a rim you'll be in good shape.

Check rim prices on e-bay, or craigslist on older machines..........you will be amazed at what they are bringing.

All it takes is a leak, one time, in a tube.............if that tire isn't taken off, and the rim, and tire and tube scrubbed very good.........the residue from calcium will eat that rim through in just a couple years.

 

[PapaPerk]

It's all about Beet Juice!!! Rimguard, etc.

 

[kco]

If you don't already have tubes you have to factor-in adding them for CaCl. Rimguard doesn't need tubes but you may need to change the valve stems. I imagine you already know that.

In my case Rimguard in the existing tubeless tires vs CaCl with new tubes came out to about the same price.

If the price difference is significant you have to decide whether beet juice's advantages over CaCl are worth it. Personally, I'm willing to pay more for beet juice.

 

[Don87]

If you don't already have tubes you have to factor-in adding them for CaCl. Rimguard doesn't need tubes but you may need to change the valve stems. I imagine you already know that.

In my case Rimguard in the existing tubeless tires vs CaCl with new tubes came out to about the same price.

If the price difference is significant you have to decide whether beet juice's advantages over CaCl are worth it. Personally, I'm willing to pay more for beet juice.

As am I.