Tires Fill Tractor Tires with ?

LBrown59 · Jul 3, 2009

JDGREEN4ME said:
Wow LB...you are a "geneyus"...very helpful post. Not too much extra weight with Air, I also prefer Rimguard.

Been all i've ever needed and has worked great for me for almost 5 years.

fire72 · Jul 3, 2009

The dealer I do most of my business with uses windshield washer fluid. My last tractor had the rears filled with it and it did just fine. My current tractor was a private sale, so I don't know what if anything is in the tires. One of these days when I have nothing better to do I'll have to pull a valve core (not over the lawn) and see what comes out.

JIGBUILDER · Jul 3, 2009

just bought a new RI and had it filled with 55 gal windshield washer fluid at 55 dollars a drum. As luck would have it I ran over a deer antler which went through to the first tine, between the lugs on a 14.9-28 R1 tire. But it was the old tire as I just replaced the other side last year. It had two plugs and a pin hole between the OO in Goodyears name on the sidewall. Sure was lucky.

Ken45101 · Jul 5, 2009

fire72 said:
The dealer I do most of my business with uses windshield washer fluid. My last tractor had the rears filled with it and it did just fine. My current tractor was a private sale, so I don't know what if anything is in the tires. One of these days when I have nothing better to do I'll have to pull a valve core (not over the lawn) and see what comes out.

You probably don't have to pull the valve stem, just park the tractor with the valve on the bottom and press the stem in.

Therios Pendragon · Jul 5, 2009

So yesterday I drove into town to talk to the two tractor dudes in Longview. One JD and one Kibota dealer. I had to buy some of those rind pins that everyone tells me I need a dozen of... well... I bought a dozen... 33 cents each...

Anyway... both of them tell me that they only do calcium. They both said that they will just well me the new rims in "15" years. Does it really take that long? Sure sounds like that would be worth it for me not to have to worry about tons of washer fliud flowing out wherever it feels like. Or sugar water that is expensive.

Sure seems like calcium is not such a bad deal. Can someone tell me a first hand horror story of rim corrosion in a short amount of time?

They did not even know where to get beet juice from even if I wanted it. (Not sure I believe that). I just don't feel good about getting a leak of washer fluid... This farm is riddled with pointy things. The previous owner was horrible about not keeping up the property and I think he collected nails and sharp things. I had to have heavy duty tubes put inside of my lawn tractor as my tires were almost completely filled with tire slime (he he) but still could not keep air in them.

Ken45101 · Jul 5, 2009

Go to the Rimguard website and find a local dealer.

Personally, I'd go without loaded tires before using calcium. If you don't have a front loader, you will probably do fine without loading the rear tires. On my M5040, the dearer put it in without my knowledge and it corroded a valve stem such that fluid came spurting out when I tried to add air to a tire. On my previous M4700, I did without loading until I traded it after ten years for the 4WD M5040.

On my first (used) tractor, the one wheel was corroded. Who knows how much damage had been done or when it would fail unexpectedly.

We have an old farm with buried nails, etc. but also a lot of thorn trees.

dirt ditch · Jul 5, 2009

My granddad used calcium for decades and went through 3 sets of rims on his 8n before he mounted wheel weights on it. I bought wheel weights for my tractor when I got it, that way I don't have to worry about leaks or rust.

flusher · Jul 6, 2009

skyline said:
Sorry if this has been addressed a bunch before but the search was returning an internal error.

I want to add fluid for extra weight on my new bobcat CT225 tractor. I live near Portland, OR so extreme freezing in not a huge issue but it does freeze.

The various tire shops all tell me different things from "Calcium is old school" we don't recommend that for corrosion reasons, to beet juice, to "biosomething" at $4.00/gallon, to "you need to add tubes to use with calcium"
to calcium isn't a problem since it doesn't have to be as strong for our weather conditions.

I don't know who to believe and what is reasonable.
Any help would be appreciated.

You're in luck if you want to go with Rimguard. There are dealers in your area. Just call the Rimguard toll free number to find the names/locations.

I'm, on the other hand, out of luck. No Rimguard dealers at all in CA according to the lady at Rimguard. Apparently, there's not much interest in the anti-freeze properties of Rimguard in CA since most farming is done in the Central and Southern valleys where freezing isn't a problem. And, evidently, the density advantage of Rimguard over water isn't a big swinger either in CA.

Looks like I'll be putting water and windshield washer fluid in the tires on my Mahindra 5525.

RollingsFarms · Jul 6, 2009

flusher said:
You're in luck if you want to go with Rimguard. There are dealers in your area. Just call the Rimguard toll free number to find the names/locations.

I'm, on the other hand, out of luck. No Rimguard dealers at all in CA according to the lady at Rimguard. Apparently, there's not much interest in the anti-freeze properties of Rimguard in CA since most farming is done in the Central and Southern valleys where freezing isn't a problem. And, evidently, the density advantage of Rimguard over water isn't a big swinger either in CA.

Looks like I'll be putting water and windshield washer fluid in the tires on my Mahindra 5525.

that's how it is here in SC. no Rimguard dealers in the entire state that i'm aware of. my dealer installed water and antifreeze in my tires and i've been very pleased. also added a pair of rear wheel weights.

beersngars · Jul 6, 2009

Kind of surprised no one mentioned foam. It would solve all the issues at once. No more flats. No leaks. More weight.

I have not done mine yet, but when I load the tires I think foam is the way to go.

Ivan1547 · Jul 6, 2009

My 1950's Massey Harris 44 has Calcium in the rear tires. The valve stem rotted out after 20 years and started to drip, I moved the valve stem to the top and replaced it in about 1 minute. After 20 years of use, no other problems with the calcium filled tires.

My Massey 1547 also has calcium filled rear tires. I will tell you in 20 years if there is a problem or not.

Ivan

SPYDERLK · Jul 6, 2009

Therios Pendragon said:
Anyway... both of them tell me that they only do calcium. They both said that they will just well me the new rims in "15" years. Does it really take that long? Sure sounds like that would be worth it for me not to have to worry about tons of washer fliud flowing out wherever it feels like. Or sugar water that is expensive.

Sure seems like calcium is not such a bad deal. Can someone tell me a first hand horror story of rim corrosion in a short amount of time?

Its not calcium. Its calcium chloride in solution. Its a lot heavier than washer fluid and can be heavier that rimguard as well, but it will leak out the same as either.
larry

AndyMA · Jul 6, 2009

beersngars said:
Kind of surprised no one mentioned foam. It would solve all the issues at once. No more flats. No leaks. More weight.

I have not done mine yet, but when I load the tires I think foam is the way to go.

Hard to find and it's cost makes RimGuard look free... I've been using RimGuard since it 2001 and it works great. Washer Fluid is not used by pros at least in this area and antifreeze is very toxic, I jad to have major welding done to my Ford 2120 rims due to calcium. all you need is a little leak or a flat and it gets on the metal. Doesn't take long for it to eat the rim away.

Andy

Foton404 · Jul 8, 2009

dirt ditch said:
My granddad used calcium for decades and went through 3 sets of rims on his 8n before he mounted wheel weights on it. I bought wheel weights for my tractor when I got it, that way I don't have to worry about leaks or rust.

I agree. Weights are the best option.

Ken45101 · Jul 8, 2009

Foton404 said:
I agree. Weights are the best option.

AFAIK, wheel weights do not add as much weight as loaded fluid. I think about half the weight. They also put more stress on the drivetrain and brakes since they are turning with the wheels and provide inertia/momentum. Liquid in the tires does not.

LBrown59 · Jul 8, 2009

Ken45101 said:
AFAIK, wheel weights do not add as much weight as loaded fluid. I think about half the weight. They also put more stress on the drivetrain and brakes since they are turning with the wheels and provide inertia/momentum. Liquid in the tires does not.

They are easier to install and remove though.

SPYDERLK · Jul 8, 2009

LBrown59 said:
They are easier to install and remove though.

not easier than water

larry

TUG HILL ADDICT · Jul 9, 2009

My first tractor was an 8N with calcium loaded tires---for reasons already mentioned not something I'd do again.

I do a lot of loader work with my JD 870 and was going through too many front tires. Went to foam in the fronts ($40 each) and it is one of the best things I ever did.

I don't load my back tires....if I need counter weight I attach the box scraper

IslandTractor · Jul 9, 2009

WH401 said:
IMO, Rimguard is the only choice for tire ballast. It's bio degradable/non-toxic so it won't harm the ground or animals if you get a puncture, it's 30% heavier than water, it's non corrosive, and it's freeze resistant down to -35.

I've used Rimguard and agree it is technically the best. However, it is not such a great value and costs about $4 a gallon these days installed. It is difficult to install yourself too so that means getting the tires to a dealer which is extra hassle and expense. I would specify Rimguard in very cold climates but would have the dealer get it installed before taking delivery.

For someone who lives in an area with freezing but who doesn't need every last pound of ballast possible, methanol/water at about a dollar a gallon is a good option because it is much cheaper and you can install it yourself easily. It is also non toxic and non corrosive. You can also vary the amount of methanol for your particular climate (Oregon for example would need relatively little). Yes, it is a pound or two per gallon less dense than Rimguard but that extra weight is costing you about $2-4 per pound extra compared to methanol/water which is pretty pricy ballast.

burega · Dec 13, 2010

Interesting Tug... I am in Kingston, ON and I just took delivery of a Deere 3520 Cab. I asked to have the tires filled but the dealer completely ignored my request and sent a ballast box instead. Now I'm wondering if I really need the extra weight of filled tires. What was the product you used called and how much did it cost if you don't mind me asking?
Burega