L2501 - Liquid Ballast Options

[GigaRift]

Does anyone know if the rv/plumbing antifreeze is premixed or if it can be mixed with water to receive -50c rating, i have personally never used it.

 

[Oldoak]

Does anyone know if the rv/plumbing antifreeze is premixed or if it can be mixed with water to receive -50c rating, i have personally never used it.

No, definately do not add any water to RV/plumbing anti-freeze. It is meant to be used just as it is straight from the jug.

 

[GigaRift]

Ok after watching some videos and comments of people using rv antifreeze that was frozen at -5 or -10. Didn’t realize that it is only rated for burst protection to -50c, not freeze protection. So it definitely isn’t a good option for me so, tomorrow I’m going to contact my local auto parts store and find out if I can get windshield wash in bulk atleast rated for -40c.

 

[Jstpssng]

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

No, but I am careful not to keep it around. Besides, why risk it when there are other alternatives? Several gallons or more leaking into my soil isn't the kind of thing I need to deal with.

 

[fried1765]

Ok after watching some videos and comments of people using rv antifreeze that was frozen at -5 or -10. Didn稚 realize that it is only rated for burst protection to -50c, not freeze protection. So it definitely isn稚 a good option for me so, tomorrow I知 going to contact my local auto parts store and find out if I can get windshield wash in bulk atleast rated for -40c.

Bulk windshield washer fluid is the way to go, if you can find it, at the right price.
I could not find it in bulk at a decent price, but found -40F on sale at Home Depot (US) for $1.50 per gal. It is also available for -50F
They obviously must have thought I was crazy, buying 80 individual gals.
You might also try for a sale at your local Home Hardware, or even ask the owner for a best price on 58 gals.
I know that HH sells -40F WWF, because I live in Nova Scotia part of each year, and spend my money between HH and Sobey's.
In the mid 60's I was in the US Navy, flying out of Argentia. I only lived in NFLD for a year, but loved it!

Water is 8.33 lbs./ gal. and windshield washer fluid contains methanol, so the mix weighs about 7.6 lbs./gal.
7.6 x 29 gals. will give you about 220 lbs. of additional weight per wheel.

 

[flingwing1969]

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.

Certainly, you are right it's very bad to fill it up. But at 30:1 you can't even tell it's in there. No color and I even got splashed a bit when I was checking the tiny bit of air at the top of the tire and there was no taste to it. Yes, dogs have died because of the green-stuff, they love its sweet taste.

 

[flingwing1969]

I could not find it in bulk at a decent price, but found -40F on sale at Home Depot (US) for $1.50 per gal. It is also available for -50F
They obviously must have thought I was crazy, buying 80 individual gals.

They might have thought you were crazy for looking for -40 and -50 WSW fluid for a tractor in Florida no matter how much of it you bought! :drink:

 

[GigaRift]

Has anyone had any trouble with windshield wash drying out tires. If so how long did it take or is this something to even worry about?

As a local guy asked why i dont just fill them with used vegetable oil and got me wondering if this is an option or why not?

 

[fried1765]

They might have thought you were crazy for looking for -40 and -50 WSW fluid for a tractor in Florida no matter how much of it you bought! :drink:

Yes, that might have created a question, if I had been buying the WWF in Florida, but I was not.
My tractors are in New England......and it does get a wee bit chilly there.

 

[fried1765]

Has anyone had any trouble with windshield wash drying out tires. If so how long did it take or is this something to even worry about?

As a local guy asked why i dont just fill them with used vegetable oil and got me wondering if this is an option or why not?

I use tubes with WWF, and would suggest same.

 

[AxleHub]

There seems to be a few statements that could be misunderstood on this thread:

1. Fahrenheit vs Celsius. The OP is talking in Celsius but many of us are referring to Fahrenheit. In Wisconsin we can get down to -30F for short periods of a day or a more typical winter cold temp of -15F to - 25F. So recall that a -10F is -23.33C.

2. RV/plumbing antifreeze comes in 2 different types of components - a healthier one and one not so healthy.

3. True plumbing antifreeze is what is used in boilers and pex piping for underfloor or under ground uses. These are different than #2 above and come in 2 or 3 different components - some not good for the environment. But the point here is there are products like "No Burst" that can go to -100 F in its concentrated form and can be diluted to other values as well and this type of product will not harm rubber valves or tires or steel wheels and if you drink it the worst that happens is you need to go to the bathroom LOL.

4. Windshield washer has a summer formula - but also has several temperature winter Fahrenheit formulas like +15, -15, and -35. Its important to recognize the "quality differences" in windshield washer fluid is not just temperature tolerance - but ingredients. Some of those ingredients can be animal or environment harsh and some are not.

5. What you put in your tires is what you live with for quite some time. Some choices benefit from steel valve stems instead of rubber valve stems. Some are messier to deal with refilling or checking air pressures. And some - can actually act as a lubricant which at low tire pressure can cause the bead to roll (or break) easier on sharp turns or tight maneuvering.

6. Overfilling tires with fluid is a concern as you want some air in the tires. I believe the desired fill is a 2 o'clock to 10 o'clock clock-type pattern.


Just thoughts

 

[ovrszd]

No, but I am careful not to keep it around. Besides, why risk it when there are other alternatives? Several gallons or more leaking into my soil isn't the kind of thing I need to deal with.

I simply asked to get the opportunity to visit with someone that's witnessed this phenomenon. Kinda like Bigfoot. Haven't found anyone that can testify to this. If I chained my dog with only source of liquid being antifreeze, after a couple days he might drink it. Otherwise, ain't happening.

With liquid ballast my primary concern is rust. Certainly wouldn't use a product that's acidic.

 

[AxleHub]

With liquid ballast my primary concern is rust. Certainly wouldn't use a product that's acidic.

Might I suggest the lubricant additive used to restore lubricating properties in radiator systems. That type of lubricant is liquid, designed for cold condition handling, and as its not based on anti freeze - its properties should be less environmental and less animal harmful. Just a guess - but we know it is a great lubricant restorer

 

[flingwing1969]

I simply asked to get the opportunity to visit with someone that's witnessed this phenomenon. Kinda like Bigfoot. Haven't found anyone that can testify to this. If I chained my dog with only source of liquid being antifreeze, after a couple days he might drink it. Otherwise, ain't happening.

With liquid ballast my primary concern is rust. Certainly wouldn't use a product that's acidic.

Well, I can't prove it to you because I don't have photos but I was draining my radiator on my Jeep and had the drain can sitting on the side of the Jeep when I went to get a tool. I came back out and my otherwise quite clever dog was licking the container. She must have just started because there were never any ill effects but I certainly got that up and out of the way immediately.

 

[Fallon]

Ethylene glycol is used in automotive antifreeze. It's extremely toxic & destroys your liver. Pets apparently like it. I had a friend who had a drop accidentally splash into his mouth & he's said it tasted sweet *** he was spitting it out.

Polypropylene glycol is used in RV antifreeze & possibly some automotive antifreeze. It's also put into Snickers bars & many other food items. So depending on your take is probably pretty non-toxic.

Personally I wouldn't risk contaminating my ground or killing my critters using Ethylene glycol in my tires. Ya it's proba bly in the engine & radiator, but those are better protected & have smaller capacities than my tires.

Most of the good hard to freeze balllast materials get slushy before freezing. Slushy is fine as it still moves & won't crush rims or explode valve stems.

 

[nybirdman]

You may want to consider a rear weight box instead;unless you are using a rear blade for snow removal.May-be a combination weight box and rear blade.

 

[fried1765]

There seems to be a few statements that could be misunderstood on this thread:

1. Fahrenheit vs Celsius. The OP is talking in Celsius but many of us are referring to Fahrenheit. In Wisconsin we can get down to -30F for short periods of a day or a more typical winter cold temp of -15F to - 25F. So recall that a -10F is -23.33C.

2. RV/plumbing antifreeze comes in 2 different types of components - a healthier one and one not so healthy.

3. True plumbing antifreeze is what is used in boilers and pex piping for underfloor or under ground uses. These are different than #2 above and come in 2 or 3 different components - some not good for the environment. But the point here is there are products like "No Burst" that can go to -100 F in its concentrated form and can be diluted to other values as well and this type of product will not harm rubber valves or tires or steel wheels and if you drink it the worst that happens is you need to go to the bathroom LOL.

4. Windshield washer has a summer formula - but also has several temperature winter Fahrenheit formulas like +15, -15, and -35. Its important to recognize the "quality differences" in windshield washer fluid is not just temperature tolerance - but ingredients. Some of those ingredients can be animal or environment harsh and some are not.

5. What you put in your tires is what you live with for quite some time. Some choices benefit from steel valve stems instead of rubber valve stems. Some are messier to deal with refilling or checking air pressures. And some - can actually act as a lubricant which at low tire pressure can cause the bead to roll (or break) easier on sharp turns or tight maneuvering.

6. Overfilling tires with fluid is a concern as you want some air in the tires. I believe the desired fill is a 2 o'clock to 10 o'clock clock-type pattern.


Just thoughts

-40F and -40C are equal temperatures.

To change C to F: Double the C number, subtract 10%, add 32
Example: 13C = 13 x 2 = 26 -2.6 = 23 and add 32 = 55F

It is a version of the conversion formula that can be easily done in your head.
It is accurate within 1 degree throughout the entire temperature range.

 

[ovrszd]

Well, I can't prove it to you because I don't have photos but I was draining my radiator on my Jeep and had the drain can sitting on the side of the Jeep when I went to get a tool. I came back out and my otherwise quite clever dog was licking the container. She must have just started because there were never any ill effects but I certainly got that up and out of the way immediately.

Your dog needs to get out more.

Licking the container is a far stretch from drinking enough to kill her.

She still needs to get out more.

 

[ovrszd]

Ethylene glycol is used in automotive antifreeze. It's extremely toxic & destroys your liver. Pets apparently like it. I had a friend who had a drop accidentally splash into his mouth & he's said it tasted sweet *** he was spitting it out.

If you've never had a mouthful of antifreeze you haven't mechanic'd.

 

[AxleHub]

-40F and -40C are equal temperatures.

To change C to F: Double the C number, subtract 10%, add 32
Example: 13C = 13 x 2 = 26 -2.6 = 23 and add 32 = 55F

It is a version of the conversion formula that can be easily done in your head.
It is accurate within 1 degree throughout the entire temperature range.

That's a clever mental math trick. But Celsius and Centimeters never really get used alot in the U.S. except for healthcare, lab work, and some instruction manuals. So I try to relegate conversions to my handy cell phone apps and keep my personal mental processing power available for math and memory. Like you - I learned some mental math tricks like doing square roots manually and I'm constantly catching errors at checkout counters.

Now if the U.S. switches to the measurement standards of metric like the rest of the world - I'll have to get yet another math method engaged

Lets see -40C = -40 x 2 = -80 - 8 = -72 + 32 = -40 F And the result of the formula is . . . . nobody wants to be outside on a tractor at -40 "anything" LOL.