L2501 - Liquid Ballast Options

[GigaRift]

So i just recently received my new L2501 and put 7 hours on it snow clearing. I am amazed at how much this tractor has exceeded my expectations on loader work. So i am going to add liquid ballast for extra traction and stability. I live in Atlantic Canada, so i definitely need freeze protection. I have no interest in calcium filling and beet juice is not available in my area. My options are:

Auto antifreeze which i can probably get for free from the local garages over time, but it is extremely toxic.
Windshield wash which is not so toxic but can be bought for around $2.80 gallon.
RV/Plumbing antifreeze which is non-toxic but can be bought online at walmart for 3.80 a gallon.
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/supertech-rv-946l/6000197491453

I am leaning towards the plumbing antifreeze but i have never used it and was wondering if it is premixed or if it is to be mixed with water?
If it can be mixed with water and would affect the cost.

I have found on the forum someone said that my rear 15-.19.5 R4 tires need 29.0 gallons(110 liters) each to fill 75%. Is this correct or does someone have a good source to verify?

Sorry for all the newbie questions but any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Nathan.

 

[skipperbrown]

I'd go with the cheapest non freezing formula which is probably going to be windshield washer fluid. I've had this stuff in my tires for the last 16 yrs with no issues. If a pet licks up a teaspoon of antifreeze, it will likely die.

 

[GigaRift]

Glad to know that you've used WW for so long with any issues and understand that windshield wash is probably going to the cheapest but seriously considering waterline antifreeze due to its non-toxic effects and extra freeze protection.

 

[LouNY]

Windshield washer fluid will freeze you will need to verify what fluid that you use to your minimum temperature, also will it be parked outside or used outside in sub zero temps for hours at a time a lot of windshield washer fluid is only good for 15or 20 degrees F it takes expensive fluid to stay thawed and -20 or -29C

 

[Oldoak]

Keep in mind RV waterline protection doesn't freeze solid but does form a thick slushy state at extremely low temperatures and may adversely affect the handling of your tractor.

 

[GigaRift]

It going to be parked outside, so that’s why I’m considering the waterline antifreeze which is rated at -50. On the coldest of winter days we may saw -30c or -35 but it’s not typical.

 

[GigaRift]

Keep in mind RV waterline protection doesn't freeze solid but does form a thick slushy state at extremely low temperatures and may adversely affect the handling of your tractor.

Will it but hard on the tires or tractor at those states.

 

[LouNY]

Slush usually doesn't bother it's when frozen chunks start pulling and tearing tubes or gouging into sidewall.

 

[TheMadOne]

It going to be parked outside, so that’s why I’m considering the waterline antifreeze which is rated at -50. On the coldest of winter days we may saw -30c or -35 but it’s not typical.

That's cold. I think beet juice is only good down to -35F, so you'd be playing in the margins to use it to begin with. If you had a bad cold snap you would have some issues.

That said, I'm not going to talk you into using a more toxic solution. Though have you considered cast rims and weights instead of fluid? It's more expensive, but has none of the problems with the cold you're talking about.

 

[GigaRift]

That's cold. I think beet juice is only good down to -35F, so you'd be playing in the margins to use it to begin with. If you had a bad cold snap you would have some issues.

That said, I'm not going to talk you into using a more toxic solution. Though have you considered cast rims and weights instead of fluid? It's more expensive, but has none of the problems with the cold you're talking about.

As i said that would be on the coldest of days and i probably would not be doing anything for long on those days anyways. Also if i did have little things to do on those days i could possibly keep the tractor inside and hoping to have a new shed next year, so heating may also be a possibly. Typical winter day would probably be around -10c or -15c with a the windshield it will probably feel like -20c.

 

[flingwing1969]

Does it matter if the anti-freeze has any anti-corrosion characteristics? I always heard that straight water, over time, can rust out a tractor wheel. I ask because my dealer loaded my tires for me before he delivered the tractor (without asking me by the way) and filled them with water and a gallon of straight anti-freeze in each. That is a 30:1 ratio water to anti-freeze. Anybody know if there is any corrosion protection at that ratio?

 

[BrokenTrack]

I had rust in my rims after about 15 years of use. Just a little bit around the valve stem that was cheap and easy to repair.

I would not worry too much about it, but in my case its was calcium chloride and not water and antifreeze either.

 

[Jstpssng]

Does it matter if the anti-freeze has any anti-corrosion characteristics? I always heard that straight water, over time, can rust out a tractor wheel. I ask because my dealer loaded my tires for me before he delivered the tractor (without asking me by the way) and filled them with water and a gallon of straight anti-freeze in each. That is a 30:1 ratio water to anti-freeze. Anybody know if there is any corrosion protection at that ratio?

There is no way that I would allow anyone to put regular antifreeze in my tires; if they did, I would send it right back to them.
All that you need is one puncture and you have a mess; if it happens near your well it's a real problem. To say nothing about a slight leak that you don't notice until your pet gets into it.
Any time that I work on a cooling system I replace it with the low-tox; it costs more, but so do vet bills.

 

[skipmarcy]

For the past 16 years/2900 hrs. I have had a mixture of methanol & water in my rears (16.9x24) - I have 55 gal. in each tire, 1/2 of a 55 gal drum of methanol per tire and it gets me down around -10F if I remember correctly. Methanol is poisonous but it evaporates very quickly so not near as much threat as automotive antifreeze. Windshield washer fluid is methanol, but you're paying for the water and the bottle, might as well just buy a drum of methanol.

I don't know about everyone else but those R4s have never had any kind of leak or flat in all those hours. I have done several years of commercial bushogging, worked hundreds of hours in creekbeds moving gravel with all kinds of debris in it and hundreds of hours in the woods doing many different things and have never had a puncture. Ag & turf tires are a different compound rubber and seem to puncture more readily. My R4s have spent their whole life out in the weather too, not in a shed or even the shade much.

 

[Fallon]

For the past 16 years/2900 hrs. I have had a mixture of methanol & water in my rears (16.9x24) - I have 55 gal. in each tire, 1/2 of a 55 gal drum of methanol per tire and it gets me down around -10F if I remember correctly. Methanol is poisonous but it evaporates very quickly so not near as much threat as automotive antifreeze. Windshield washer fluid is methanol, but you're paying for the water and the bottle, might as well just buy a drum of methanol.

I don't know about everyone else but those R4s have never had any kind of leak or flat in all those hours. I have done several years of commercial bushogging, worked hundreds of hours in creekbeds moving gravel with all kinds of debris in it and hundreds of hours in the woods doing many different things and have never had a puncture. Ag & turf tires are a different compound rubber and seem to puncture more readily. My R4s have spent their whole life out in the weather too, not in a shed or even the shade much.

I punctured the front & rear R4 tires on my L3200 (same tractor & tires as the L2501). Rear was on a stick while mowing brush & the bio ballast started seeping out very slowly. Don't remember what punctured the front.

 

[BrokenTrack]

I think the amount of wear on a tire has more to do with puncturing, or puncture resistance than anything.

My tractor has only 2700 hours on it, but they are agricultural tires and has done a lot of roading due to haying work. When the front tires get worn down, they start getting punctures, as do the rears. Now that I have brand new front tires on, I have not had any punctures of late.

 

[ovrszd]

There is no way that I would allow anyone to put regular antifreeze in my tires; if they did, I would send it right back to them.
All that you need is one puncture and you have a mess; if it happens near your well it's a real problem. To say nothing about a slight leak that you don't notice until your pet gets into it.
Any time that I work on a cooling system I replace it with the low-tox; it costs more, but so do vet bills.

Have you experienced a pet drinking antifreeze? My pets wouldn't even think about drinking it.

 

[ovrszd]

To the question, WW if it will meet your temperature requirements. I paid $210 for 195 gallons at the local auto dealership.

 

[GigaRift]

To the question, WW if it will meet your temperature requirements. I paid $210 for 195 gallons at the local auto dealership.

Was this summer or winter rated? if winter do you remember what temp it was rated for?

 

[ovrszd]

Was this summer or winter rated? if winter do you remember what temp it was rated for?

I remember -20F but don't quote me. We'll get below zero here but when it is I am not out on my tractor so no worries. Your personal use might vary.