Windshield Washer Fluid as Ballast

[new jersey mike]

My dealer is adding windshield washer fluid as ballast not rim guard. My tractor came with R4's and I wanted ag tires, the tires just came in and the dealer said he will swap the tires but he is using windshield washer fluid vs rim guard. He stated it's less corrosive.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.

 

[RoyJackson]

I don't know about less corrosive (which it isn't corrosive to my knowledge), but it's cheaper then Rimguard.
I've used windshield washer fluid...does fine as ballast.

 

[new jersey mike]

I don't know about less corrosive (which it isn't), but it's cheaper then Rimguard.
I've used windshield washer fluid...does fine as ballast.

Thank you Roy, I suspect it's a $$ issue.

 

[RoyJackson]

You're quite welcome!

 

[71bronco]

I believe rimguard is heavier than ww fluid. Just something to think about.

Jeff

 

[devildog1]

6 and 1/2 dozen of the other, But question about windshield washer? Last winter my mom had 2 gals of the blue stuff in her car trunk and asked me to add to her car. When I went in trunk to get them they were frozen solid, I know they were in there for a while and mom does not have a garage anymore sooo? what happens when it freezes in tractors tires?
DevliDog

 

[brokenknee]

6 and 1/2 dozen of the other, But question about windshield washer? Last winter my mom had 2 gals of the blue stuff in her car trunk and asked me to add to her car. When I went in trunk to get them they were frozen solid, I know they were in there for a while and mom does not have a garage anymore sooo? what happens when it freezes in tractors tires?
DevliDog

Same thing happened to me a couple of years ago. You have to watch what it says on the bottle. They now make window wash that freezes at 32°. I would like to see it banned in the northern states as it is a safety issue.

Just make sure the window wash you put in your tires is the stuff that does not freeze, they make it to -20° and -32° at least around here. the -20° should be good enough for most applications.

Rimgaurd is a little heaver but not by much, if you do a search they have it on their web site, I think.

All that being said, I have yet to load my tires. Just one of those things I mean to get around to.

 

[brokenknee]

Here is a link to a chart on how much rim guard weighs and how many gallons you need for your size tire. The other chart is how much water weighs. I would think window wash would be a little less than water since it is usually mixed with methanol, which is lighter than water.

http://www.mediafire.com/tractorinfo

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much what Roy said, our local dealers add windshield wiper fluid to all of their loaded tires.

I am somewhat suspicious of the claims of corrosion.

 

[new jersey mike]

6 and 1/2 dozen of the other, But question about windshield washer? Last winter my mom had 2 gals of the blue stuff in her car trunk and asked me to add to her car. When I went in trunk to get them they were frozen solid, I know they were in there for a while and mom does not have a garage anymore sooo? what happens when it freezes in tractors tires?
DevliDog

I believe that, some of the less expensive product stinks. The dealer said he uses Norco, which I believe is a decent product and should meet its specs, I hope.

 

[Monster5601]

My dealer starting using beet juice this year. It is more expensive but non-corrosive.

 

[crazyal]

There's rimguard and then there's Rim Guard. Rimguard contains Calcium Chloride, it's corrosive. Rim Guard is beet juice and it's not. Both are much heavier than WW fluid and offer a lower freeze point. WW will work and lots of tractors have it. Ag tires tend to be narrower and hold less fluid so I would ask how much weight you are getting for your money. You may find that you want a little more weight.

 

[Ford tractor]

Rimgaurd is a little heaver but not by much, if you do a search they have it on their web site, I think.

The cold weather WWF for -20F is about 7.5 pounds per gallon where the beet juice stuff is 11 pounds per gallon. (Which is the same as CaCl2 fluid) So the beet juice is 50% heavier but it costs 2-3x as much.

 

[sweetjeep]

The cold weather WWF for -20F is about 7.5 pounds per gallon where the beet juice stuff is 11 pounds per gallon. (Which is the same as CaCl2 fluid) So the beet juice is 50% heavier but it costs 2-3x as much.

But if all goes well you only have to buy it once.

Personally.. I'd go with the heft.

 

[ModMech]

We put RV antifreeze in our R1s and left the R3s unfilled for mowing, even at about 12g/tire it made a significant difference in traction at the same inflation pressure.

 

[Deere Dude]

I put Winshield Washer fluid in my diesel garden tractor and it works. When I bought a bigger tractor, a JD 3720, I decided to check RimGuard. WW cost me $1.50 approx, but after checking around later I bought RimGuard for $2.00 at a bulk supplier. It was a big farming operation that sells it out of a huge tank. Maybe they have something like that in other areas. I wish I would have checked Rim Guard out more seriously before I put WW in. For weight, it is better deal, at least in this case.

 

[jb tuggers]

Anyone know of a rimguard dealer in western nj thanks

 

[buickanddeere]

I used half and half -45F washer fluid and water.
Hit a broken off steel post and punctured the face of the tire. Sprayed down the entire tractor and myself. No outbreak of rust as if calcium chloride had been used.

 

[RG1]

Anyone know of a rimguard dealer in western nj thanks

Give them a call. They will tell you where the dealers are around your area-

Rim Guard
1575 Gezon Pkwy SW, Wyoming, MI 49509
(616) 608-7745

 

[puckgrinder85]

We buy it in bulk by the 55gal drum and mix our own. We "tune" the mix to what the weather conditions are. 50/50 for winter and thinner on the concentrate for the summer. I don't think I'd be too worried about the corrosion. One thing for sure W/W fluid is a lot less messy, beet juice is sticky and kind of stinks.