wheel weights? why not?

[k0ua]

the $9.99 tractor supply one is the one I used, and it did not leak at the burp button. and you dont need a container with a fitting. just put a scrap of hose over into the bucket, and it will suck the fluid out. My pump could not pump 6 or 8 gallons before burping I had to burp after 2 gallons or the pump would slow down a lot. but my pump is more or less a throwaway at $6.99 at home depot, and probably not as powerfull as the authors.

Search Results for drill pump

It was almost fun to do.
James K0UA

 

[brokenknee]

the $9.99 tractor supply one is the one I used, and it did not leak at the burp button. and you dont need a container with a fitting. just put a scrap of hose over into the bucket, and it will suck the fluid out. My pump could not pump 6 or 8 gallons before burping I had to burp after 2 gallons or the pump would slow down a lot. but my pump is more or less a throwaway at $6.99 at home depot, and probably not as powerfull as the authors.

Search Results for drill pump

It was almost fun to do.
James K0UA

I have a submersible sump pump, do you think that would work?

 

[LD1]

I have a submersible sump pump, do you think that would work?

It depends on the type of the pump.

If it is a positive displacement pump, It will build pressure, which is good as long as you "burp" or have a way of venting while pumping. But being a positive displacement pump, you are limited to how much you can reduce the output hose size or it will not allow enough flow, which will build pressure and cause the pump to get hot. So, if the pump is small enough to start, then yes it will work.

But if it is a centrifigual pump, they build limited pressure and you can reduce the output down by alot without damaging the pump. BUT, given that they build minimal pressure, it may not work and you may have to burp the tire more often than you would like.

 

[brokenknee]

Here is a chart I found for the amount of liquid you will need for your tire.


View attachment 186744

 

[brokenknee]

It depends on the type of the pump.

If it is a positive displacement pump, It will build pressure, which is good as long as you "burp" or have a way of venting while pumping. But being a positive displacement pump, you are limited to how much you can reduce the output hose size or it will not allow enough flow, which will build pressure and cause the pump to get hot. So, if the pump is small enough to start, then yes it will work.

But if it is a centrifigual pump, they build limited pressure and you can reduce the output down by alot without damaging the pump. BUT, given that they build minimal pressure, it may not work and you may have to burp the tire more often than you would like.

Not sure what type it is. I know you can connect a garden hose to the outlet end.

 

[LD1]

Not sure what type it is. I know you can connect a garden hose to the outlet end.

It should say on the pump, or at least a model # you can look up online.

If not, hook it up to your garden hose, run it, and put your thumb over it. If it feels like it is building a lot of pressure, like actually having the hose hooked up to the faucet, then you probabally won't be able to reduce it small enough without burning up the pump.

If there is very little pressure, then it may work if you have a way of venting the tire. Like using a hose smaller than the valvestem hole. Yea it takes a while, but results are worth it.

As an example, most of your smaller goldfish pond pumps (the cheap onesat lowes and menards) are not positive displacement pumps. Meanin they dont build a whole lot of pressure.

A real world example of what I mean:
I have a 2000GPH pond pump. The TEE that feeds the waterfall is 3/4" hose and will fill a 5gal bucket in about 8-10 seconds. My city water takes about 30 seconds to fill. So it flows WAY more than my garden hose.

I though I would try hooking my up to that pump output for watering the flowers around the pond (a 15x20 pond). Wound NOT work. It didn't have enough pressure to even spray half way across the pond. Where as my city tap will shoot water 30' the other side if I wanted.

 

[k0ua]

why bother? the drill pump has hose connections on both ends, and is only 6.99 and is safe. I had some submersible pumps too, but I decided why risk tearing them up when the drill pump is so cheap.
James K0UA

 

[brokenknee]

why bother? the drill pump has hose connections on both ends, and is only 6.99 and is safe. I had some submersible pumps too, but I decided why risk tearing them up when the drill pump is so cheap.
James K0UA

I don't mind spending the 6.99 if it will last to fill my tires, I am not sure on the size of my tires off hand. Will look when I head out to the shed in the morning.

How many gallons did you put in your tires? If it last even for just this one job it is cheap enough, just don't want to have to go purchase another one or two if it is not up to the job.

 

[brokenknee]

One thing that I did not see brought up. Can you use tire chains on loaded tires without damaging the tire?

 

[k0ua]

How many gallons did you put in your tires? If it last even for just this one job it is cheap enough, just don't want to have to go purchase another one or two if it is not up to the job.

I only put 25 gallons each in mine, as I wanted all the fluid to be below the axle, the chart called for 29, I dont know for sure if that was a good idea or not, but that is what I did. My thinking was that if all the fluid was below the axle line I would have a slightly lower center of gravity, I was looking for max stability on these treacherous hills here. It did improve the side hill stability , and makes the tractor feel a lot better when mowing. also helped the overall traction/push-pull ability. Of course I use the 750 lb homemade ballast when using the loader. The little drill pump lasted for this, but overall I think it is a throw-away tool, it is just plastic, no bearings etc. but it worked for me. I had the hoses and the bucket, and a jack to raise up the tractor, so all told I have $17 in tools for the job.