Using water as tire weights

[ejtaylor822]

Hey Henro,
My tire size is 12.4-28 and my note should have read "May need to look at..." I just was not sure. I do have a drill pump that has worked good for me.

Do you think the drill pump would work on 12.4-28? If you pumped 23 gallons with the drill pump that should work for me I would think? What do you think? I was thinking about it today and was wondering if I could just put a valve and connector in the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket. Sit the bucket on the fender and let gravity do the rest. Saw where someone mentioned this in another post. I really like the sophistication of the pressure gauge and relief valves though – that’s my first choice. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I am not sure if my tires are tube or tubeless. Will tube vs. non-tube make a difference? Worried about the tire sealing around the rim for the tubeless when deflated.

Assume I would do the following:

1. Raise rear of tractor off ground.
2. Rotate tires where valve is at 12 o’clock
3. Deflate tires and remove valves
4. Put fluid in tires following PSI recommendation – hit 10 PSI, stop and let air out - to 75%
5. Put valves back in and inflate to 15 PSI
6. Lower tractor
7. Have cold beverage.....

Definitely leaning towards windshield wiper fluid. Also thinking that I may just fill half full – put the valve around 2 or 3 o’clock. May be cutting the grass with this – if I get a finish mower – and have R1 tires. Any thoughts on filling half way? If I find additional weight is needed and the half full is not hurting the yard will take on up to 75%.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[rambler]

Some feel 1/2 full will create sloshing and rolling resistance, esp in high gear. Kinda unstablize things. Most recomment 75% so it covers the rim inside, less issues.

The choice is yours, as someone else said, this tends to be a controversioal topic. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Someone said CC is also toxic - that is incorrect. As a farmer, if I spill 10+ gallons of fuel, antifreeze, or other toxic chemicals, I'm subject to all kinds of EPA issues. CC does not qualify as a toxic substance. I appreciate that it will leave a dead spot on the lawn, but it will not ruin the environment or kill animals & children as other liquids do. I guess hobbiests don't have to live by the same rules as profesionals. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif While I respect that all sorts of liquids can and are used for weight, we best be careful on what we say about the classifications of these liquids. Shallow wells are no longer allowed in my state, due to such carelessness......

--->Paul

 

[keeney]

The main reason to fill at least 75% is really to make sure you fill high enough to immerse the rim. Reportedly, the part of the rim that sits above the water-line WILL rust where it is exposed to air inside the tire.

I am not sure how more than the initial amount of oxygen gets into the tire to keep the oxidation going very long, but that is what the manuals say the reason is for filling "above the top of the rim".

- Rick

 

[ejtaylor822]

Hey Rick and Paul,
Thanks for straightening me out on the 75% full. Never occurred to me about sloshing around, but it makes total sense. Also makes good sense about keeping the rim covered.

With keeping the rim covered, I guess it does not matter if the tires are tubed or tubeless? I was concerned about letting the air out of the tire (tubless) and not getting a good seal as I am filling the tire back up with fluid. But, it sounds like that is not much of an issue.

Thanks again,
Eddie

 

[kenmac]

Henro, glad to see you made it back from kubota land. You have been gone for a while. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[3RRL]

Hi loboy9,
Before I loaded my tires I didn't know exactly what to do so I searched the net and this link is the best guide (I thought) to doing it. It is pretty comprehensive and shows you how to do it, how much to put in the fronts and rears according to what you are pulling or pushing. Also, keeping the weight balance between the front and rear and whether you have 2wd or 4wd. It also tells you how to get maximum traction and explains what that really is and how to test for it.

You may find it interesting and helpful as I did. I went through the whole proceedure and it was a great learning experience and a lot of fun. I am confident that my tires are loaded correctly for what I do and the tractor really feels more stable than before.
CLICK HERE