Windshield washer fluid to load tires?

[Flying MXZ]

In the process of deciding on my first tractor. One of the Kubota dealers I have been talking to said they load the tires with windshield washer fluid. The other dealer says beet juice. Any reason one vs the other?

I have the beet juice (Rim Guard) in my tires from Elkunds and everything I have read says that that is the way to go, but maybe expensive. No problems with mine. Are you only looking at Kubota's?

 

[hworr]

Is there any problem with rust from the WWF?

 

[Sysop]

Welcome to TBN!

Actually, no. Windshield washer fluid is formulated to be safe to use with most metals, plastics, and rubbers. The good stuff won't freeze until -20F also. I use it in my lawnmower tires. I poked a hole in one of my rears and had to replace them (after having the fluid in for about 5 years), other than the fluid turning from bright blue to a nearly clear fluid with a slight grey tint, there was no noticeable damage to either the rims or the inner parts of the tires.

 

[George2615]

Is there any problem with rust from the WWF?

No, but there is if using Calcium Chloride in a tubeless tire. If you plan on using CC you should have tubes.

 

[tcreeley]

I have beet juice in mine. Calcium chloride from the road is killing my truck - rust. I'd hate to put it in my tires. Wishshield washer fluid, like antifreeze is toxic to living creatures. Seems like beet juice makes sense. Been down to -25F and no problem.

 

[Monster5601]

Here is a good chart/discussion comparing types of liquid tire ballast.
Comparing Types of Liquid Tire Ballast | OrangeTractorTalks

 

[Sysop]

Wishshield washer fluid, like antifreeze is toxic to living creatures.

On a totally different level... Windshield washer fluid is meant to be sprayed on your windshield, which in turn ends up on the ground anyway... The EPA would throw a fit (and rightly so) about folk using traditional antifreeze as windshield washer fluid. The toxicity is much higher and much more persistent in antifreeze. Granted you can get some high end WWFs that have all sorts of exotic chemicals for bug wash and deicer and whatever, but the plain jane cheapo stuff is mostly water with just the minimum detergents and chemicals needed to make it do the job as advertised.

Don't over-pressurize and watch what you're running over. If ya spring a leak do your best to recover it for future use, no matter what you use.

 

[ruko]

Hiya

Well windshield washer fluid is just water with a touch of ammonia and maybe a surfactant and detergent. It's density will be the same, give or take, to plain water. Hence no advantage to weight. I can't think of any reason why the washer fluid would be good or bad for the tyres. Waste of money compared to plain water. As to beet juice, have no idea.

Calcium chloride solution is often used to fill tyres as its density is considerably higher than plain water as you can get quite a lot of CaCl2 to dissolve in the water, increasing the density.

Mike

Windshield washer fluid is not just plain water here in Minnesota. What do you think would happen at 20 below zero? It really contains iso propyl alcohol about 50 percent+/- so it doesn't freeze.

 

[TripleR]

My brother just replaced the WWF in our M8540 after a recent flat and it's rated to -20 which is about right for our area. It took 80 gallons.

 

[roadhunter]

Here is a good chart/discussion comparing types of liquid tire ballast.
Comparing Types of Liquid Tire Ballast | OrangeTractorTalks

Looks like Foam would be my choice. No flats and extra weight, sounds good to me. Always worked well in construction equipment I have had.