Tire gage; where to buy?

DMF · Jul 13, 2006

Where can I get a tire gage that will read the pressure of my fluid-filled tires? People have told me to park the tractor with the valve up top and check it with a regular gage; all this does is gets me wet and cruds up my gage...

Help?

deerhunterf350 · Jul 13, 2006

Sounds Like the Tires have been "Over Filled" and there is Fluid over the Valve Stem at the 12 O'Clock position.

Mrwurm · Jul 13, 2006

Tractor supply (TSC) sells gauges that are specifically made for fluid filled tires. They are inexpensive. I really did'nt believe I needed one until I rendered a standard gauge useless by using it only once on a fluid filled tire.

Humbleto · Jul 13, 2006

Try an auto parts store or Tractor Supply. They do make guages for liquid filled tires.

deerhunterf350 · Jul 13, 2006

Just curious.

If the Tires are filled lets say 70% and there is a Head of Air when the Valve stem is at the 12 O'clock position. Then a Regular Air Pressure Gauge should work, Right ?

If the Tire is filled above the Stem then the "Special" Gauge is used, is that measuring Air Pressure or Fluid Pressure in the Tire ?

gf5205 · Jul 13, 2006

My JD dealer has them for about $7.

Bird · Jul 13, 2006

deerhunterf350 said:
Just curious.

If the Tires are filled lets say 70% and there is a Head of Air when the Valve stem is at the 12 O'clock position. Then a Regular Air Pressure Gauge should work, Right ?

If the Tire is filled above the Stem then the "Special" Gauge is used, is that measuring Air Pressure or Fluid Pressure in the Tire ?

Yes, a regular air pressure gauge will work, but even with the valve stem at the 12 o'clock position, there may be some liquid in the stem. If the fluid level is below the valve stem, you might give it one quick short blast of air to clear the liquid out of the stem and then use a regular tire gauge; however, the air/liquid gauges are cheap enough that I'd just get one of them.

Are you measuring air pressure or fluid pressure? One and the same, at least in pounds per square inch, although the air is compressable and the liquid is not.

deerhunterf350 · Jul 13, 2006

Thanks for the clarification .

DMF · Jul 13, 2006

I'm no expert but this is from the Firestone Ag page concerning filling tires with fluid:

"Industry practice is to maintain the fluid level at 75%. (Fluid fill should be maintained at a level sufficient to cover the valve and keep the rim completely submerged.)"

According to that statement, putting the stem at 12 o-clock isn't going to help if the entire rim is completely submerged....

I did a search at Tractor Supply on-line (we don't have a store locally) and only one pressure gage came up and it was a regular one. If anyone has a direct link they can post I'd sure appreciate it!

Bird · Jul 13, 2006

DMF, I think the reason some recommend keeping the level of liquid high enough to keep the rim completely submerged is to prevent air from getting to the metal rim, and thereby slow any corrosion. I suppose if you have tubeless tires and use calcium chloride, that would be important. And of course, you're right that having the stem at 12 o'clock won't make much difference if your tires are filled to that level. I used water and antifreeze myself and filled my tires up to the valve stem with the stem at 12 o'clock, but let out any that would run out at that level.

I think you can find the air/liquid tractor tire gauges at almost any auto parts store (I've even seen then at Walmart), or there are numerous places you can order them online. Republic Auto Supply is just one of many.