VERY expensive beet juice!

[Soundguy]

Methanol is usually available in 55 gallon drums from fuel distributors, at least in my area. It can also be purchased at race tracks.

WWF is no muss no fuss but unless you like blue or orange dye, there is practically no difference between WWF and appropriately diluted methanol. You can dilute the methanol in the tire so it really is just a matter of measuring the amount and pumping it into the tire via a burp valve followed by the appropriate volume of H20.

yep.. available in bulk here to from most fuel distribuitors. that and AF, oil, and even diesel by the barrel.

soundguy

 

[IslandTractor]

Starting with some form of alcohol-water mix, are there any types of solids that can be dissolved into the brew to increase the weight that wouldn't be corrosive, or worse? .

You'd have to address solubility, stability, corrosivity and perhaps other issues. Why bother? Alcohol water mixes are basically 8lbs/gallon and we typically get maybe 45-50 gallons into each rear tire. With a total of 100 gallons being 800lbs of ballast even if you could add something to increase the specific weight up to 10lbs/gallon you are only gaining extra 200lbs. If 5000lbs is critically better than 4800lbs for a tractor, then just eat a few more Big Macs instead.

No question the champion for cheap and heavy is CaCl at 10.8lbs per gallon so if max weight is really necessary then bite the bullet on the potential downsides of CaCl and go that route. However, for just generally adding ballast to a CUT, water/alcohol is a pretty cheap and simple and proven DIY method with very few if any downsides.

 

[canoetrpr]

yep.. available in bulk here to from most fuel distribuitors. that and AF, oil, and even diesel by the barrel.

soundguy

I found a racing fuels place and will find out what they will sell it for. I'm going to call my fuel oil supplier as well.

 

[bucktaker]

So who is creating the spreadsheet?

Beet juice
$ per gal x install cost.......variable avg flat repair

WW/methanol
$ per gal x install cost......variable avg flat repair

CaCI
$ per gal x install cost......variable avg flat repair + replacement rim in 25-40 yrs

I think CaCI will win that cost comparision

 

[IslandTractor]

So who is creating the spreadsheet?

Beet juice
$ per gal x install cost.......variable avg flat repair

WW/methanol
$ per gal x install cost......variable avg flat repair

CaCI
$ per gal x install cost......variable avg flat repair + replacement rim in 25-40 yrs

I think CaCI will win that cost comparision

CaCl clearly beats Beet Juice by that calculus. Not so sure about cost/gallon compared to methanol mix though. I think Methanol mix wins the cost per gallon though CaCl might draw even on cost/pound. Need to consider cost of about 200-300lbs of salt ($75-150) plus inner tube ($50-75x2)and installation (pro or buying tools) for CaCl compared to just buying a burp valve ($8) and methanol for the methanol mix. Methanol is $100-125 for 55 gallons which is plenty for even Canadian weather.

 

[Short Game]

...just eat a few more Big Macs instead.

Well, there it goes. I'm a vegetarian. I could go for a little more IPA (having one now with my lunch), but still would be concerned with the 'high' center of gravity.

Here in SW Washington (under 300 foot elevation), we get few long hard freezes, though it's not unheard of. Freezing such a large volume of water would take some time. I don't think it would require a heck of a lot of alcohol here most years.

 

[DAY]

For ag tractors (tillage) extra weight is a given, be it suitcase or liquid.
But is it all that important for these new fangled CUTs that mows lawns, moves snow, or ventures into the forest for firewood? A set of tire chains is WAAAY cheaper than anything you put on or in your machine to increase its weight.

 

[Short Game]

Please tell me the source for cheap tire chains for my rears. Really could use some when it snows.

My ground is bumpy and up and down. One of my first impressions of my newer, bigger, tractor was, "hmmmmm, tippy!"

 

[canoetrpr]

For ag tractors (tillage) extra weight is a given, be it suitcase or liquid.
But is it all that important for these new fangled CUTs that mows lawns, moves snow, or ventures into the forest for firewood? A set of tire chains is WAAAY cheaper than anything you put on or in your machine to increase its weight.

DAY, this isn't as much about traction on snow for me as it is about overall stability - lower CG and ballast for loader work and for digging. It is always nice to have ballast on the 3PT but there are going to be situations when you don't have it and then it is nice to have weights on the wheels or ballasted tires.

I know I saw a HUGE difference in loader capability on my current L3400 and stability with loaded tires.

I'm not fond of the hassle of dealing with leaking fluid but I think the benefits outweigh the downsides for me.

 

[DAY]

I see your point, about CG and traction- esp for loader work.:thumbsup:
Not to beat a dead horse, but (A) we are trying to make one machine do many, many different things, and (B) how come the manufactures sell tractors that need to be modified, right out the showroom door?:confused2: