Tire Ballast, Washer fluid or antifreeze and water?

[DENALIAKITAS]

Pro or cons of either? Thanks

 

[Don87]

I use Rimguard now. I used washer fluid in my old Cub with no problems. Lots of people using RV antifreeze in their tires also as it's non-toxic.

 

[Travelover]

WW fluid is less dense, but cheaper, especially if you fill the tires yourself.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Pro or cons of either? Thanks

Where are you?

 

[k0ua]

I was always worried about a puncture with the etheleyne glycol (ordinary antifreeze) and possibly killing someones pet. The methanol is toxic also but it would not attract an animal with a sweet taste like antifreeze.. I used Propylene glycol in my last tractor (did it myself). it is non toxic but expensive. My tractor now has the Methanol (WW fluid in it).

James K0UA

 

[xring100]

Pound for pound you can't beat RIM guard without going to salt water. Rimguard (beat juice) is about 11 lbs/gallon sodium chloride is between 10-12 and not so environmentally friendly. Straight water or washer solvent are about 8 lbs/gallon and ethylene glycol is about 9 lbs/gallon.
I believe rimguard protects against freezing to about -40°f sodium chloride saltwater can be harsh on rims. If your looking for ballast you probably want as much weight as possible

 

[xring100]

RimGuard was only $350 from my dealer for my 18.4 x r30 each tire has 100 gallons of juice in it and could still use more ballast, wish i had ordered cast centers.

 

[koamfps]

I think My Rim gaurd was about that price as well. Good stoff an enviormentally safe.

 

[john_bud]

If you are DIY'ing it, go to a salvage yard and get used anti-freeze. it's like 25-50 cents a gallon. Depends on where you are and how much you get, etc. That's the cheapest route.

 

[rider0]

Pound for pound you can't beat RIM guard without going to salt water. Rimguard (beat juice) is about 11 lbs/gallon sodium chloride is between 10-12 and not so environmentally friendly. Straight water or washer solvent are about 8 lbs/gallon and ethylene glycol is about 9 lbs/gallon.
I believe rimguard protects against freezing to about -40°f sodium chloride saltwater can be harsh on rims. If your looking for ballast you probably want as much weight as possible

I suspect you mean CaCl2 (calcium chloride). NaCl (sodium chloride - table salt) is extremely corrosive and is not approved for filling tractor tires.

Also, most of the recommendations for "washer fluid" assume you have a methanol based formula, which is no longer the case in many states and localities. The more and more commonly found 32 degree washer fluid is basically plain water with some surfactants added and does not have sufficient corrosion inhibiting properties for tire use unless you utilize a tube.