Tire ballast & antifreeze

[jgh]

20050831

I'm finally going to add wt to my TN90F narrow tractor tires. Those hills on our place are scaring me.

Is it OK to use the new Propylene glycol instead of methanol for the antifreeze? My wife & I have pets and would like to avoid the toxic stuff.

Also, has anyone been told that having fluid in tires makes them more susceptible to impact damage from field hazards?

Thanks Group, /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jim

 

[JJT]

Why not go all natural and use beet juice? Do a search, this has been discussed in depth. I also have some hills and had my tires loaded with CaCl 6+ years ago, with no regrets. If I were doing it today, I'd take a serious look at RimGuard, (beet juice). I've had 2 flats and lost a couple of gallons of calcium each time with no environmental issues. Both times I had new tubes put in and the rims were spotless and shiny, 1 leak was a nail hole that slowly leaked for 2+ years. So much for the folks that swear CaCl will eat your rims up in no time.

 

[jgh]

20050831

Uh, not sure about beet juice and there is no one around here that has it (and this is an ASAP project) but I did find Propylene Glycol Prestone antifreeze at Costco for $8 per gal.

Also, my tires are 420/70R-28s, wet service radials. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether I should put tubes in them before filling? My thought is that that SHOULD decrease the impact vulnerability--?? Tire dealer who is coming to do the job says he has not seen a problem with loaded tires and impact damage, but my service guy, a retired NH dealer service manager, feels otherwise.

This may seem dumb, but is the ballast info shown on the Firestone site for BOTH tires or EACH tire? Need to know for buying antifreeze.

Firestone hydroinflation

Thanks!

Jim
Mt Burgha Farm on the Rivanna
ca. 1787

 

[wushaw]

Windshield washer fluid is under a buck a gallon and the winter blend goes down to 0deg.

 

[KentT]

That Firestone info is for each tire...

 

[jgh]

20050831

Hey, thanks, KentT, sorta figure that had to be the case. Do NOT want to handle these tires after they get loaded, at least without a crane!

Thanks, Wushaw, it would be good to go cheaper, but zero and below is not unknown here, so apparently our ww fluid is more expensive--good brands cost $4 or so per gal, though cheap stuff is a lot less.

If methanol is to be the product (main comp of WW fluid, though euro ones are ethanol--mmm, good /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif), then the tire dealer's $4 per gal seems like a good one deal (dilutes 1:4). It's just that some counsel against methanol like they do Ethylene G. Poison!

BTW, the Costco folks were all wet--their Prestone product was ethylene NOT propylene g. My alert wife read the label when she made a stop to pick it up. Thank you, Annie.

I broke down /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif and wrote to RimGuard, and will call the Co-op tomorrow and see if they can sell it. Time is of the essence!

I'm still open to more suggestions and advice of course. Anyone hear of Counterweight Blue? Seems a bit light (c. 8.5#/gal as diluted) compared to some.

Counterwt www site

Jim
Mt B on the R in VA

 

[Davo]

Hey Jim i have the beet juice in mine and was told it's about 9lbs. per gal. won't freeze and is not hazardous to the environment. All those are big assets for me. good luck.
Davo

 

[jgh]

20050831

Davo & JJT what did you pay for RimGuard per gal, and what dilution did you use? IE, what is the cost per gal of liquid in the tire including water and antifreeze?

There was some implication on the RimGuard site that it is supplied full strength.

J

 

[Soundguy]

I'd go with a tube and cacl, ww fluid - no tube needed.., or eco friendly antifreeze.. no tube needed.

My tires are loaded.. I have run over my share of stumps and rocks.. no damage.. nails still do the job though!

Soundguy

 

[KentT]

I've loaded several sets of tires with WW fluid or marine/RV antifreeze. I've just loaded all 4 on the Power Trac with WW fluid, and added Hydro Seal leak sealer...

It's really too soon to tell for sure, but I'd had 2 flats within one week before, and haven't had any in the 3 to 4 weeks since....