Getting clay mud off tires easily

[TractorTherapy]

What is a solution for sticky, clay-mud build-up on tractor tires and skid steer tracks when I get back at the shop? From Oct-Mar it doesn't take much for the sticky clay to create a 1-2" layer all the way around the tires/tracks.
Short of pressure washing before going inside, is there a labor-saving way to get the bulk of that mud off before going indoors or near the shop.
Is there some type of "cattle-guard" that you could drive over that would get it off?
How about some sort of tire-scraping wheel or track attachment?
Maybe something you can put on the tire as a non-stick treatment?
Something else?
Thanks, Scott

 

[scootr]

I googled it. Seems spraying a clean tire with liquid wrench will inhibit the clay from sticking. Makes sense that any kind of spray lubricant might do the same. I have run the tires through the sandy bottoms to peel off the mud bud our clay is not the worst kind.

 

[TractorTherapy]

I believe mine is of the worst varieties. I had considered a tire-shine type silicone before, but hadn't tried it. I'd wonder about liquid wrench doing damage to the rubber.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I've tried all sorts of tire coatings including dish soap, cooking spray, brake fluid etc. but all wear off quickly in the sticky mud we have around here. It's a big problem with chains on the tires and spraying is totally useless.

As an obvious but workable fix, I keep a pressure washer just inside the shop door to protect it from freezing. The hose is on a reel and long enough to reach around the tractor. I just clean off the tires before bringing it inside.

Yeah, it's a pain to do every time but it beats shoveling mud off the floor. Unfortunately, it isn't an option if you don't have a heated building.

 

[5030]

Drive them on an asphalt road for a short distance and leave the 'turds' in the road...

 

[fatjay]

Drive them on an asphalt road for a short distance and leave the 'turds' in the road...

This is what I do and it works well. You can hear the turds flying off and hitting the fenders.

 

[scootr]

Oh so it's you guys! I wondered how my car was getting covered in clay driving on the street

 

[sea2summit]

I also pressure wash if I’m not able to let it dry and crack off on it’s own.

 

[scootr]

I also pressure wash if I’m not able to let it dry and crack off on it’s own.

The hardened mud clumps give added traction

 

[Gator6x4]

Drive them on an asphalt road for a short distance and leave the 'turds' in the road...

I know a guy that got a ticket for that. Called littering a public roadway. Before trying the drive on a asphalt road check your state law on grass clipping etc.

Most states have a law similar to this.

No person shall place or throw, or permit anyone to place, throw, or shall permit to lie or remain upon the streets of the State, any earth, dirt, mud, sand or similar substance whatsoever, which has been deposited by the driving of any motor vehicle or truck upon the streets of the State.

 

[lman]

Your location is not in your profile, but around here we look forward to frozen ground. Still waiting though.

 

[5030]

I know a guy that got a ticket for that. Called littering a public roadway. Before trying the drive on a asphalt road check your state law on grass clipping etc.

Most states have a law similar to this.

No person shall place or throw, or permit anyone to place, throw, or shall permit to lie or remain upon the streets of the State, any earth, dirt, mud, sand or similar substance whatsoever, which has been deposited by the driving of any motor vehicle or truck upon the streets of the State.

Out here, it's done all the time. Ag tractors coming out of fields, always leave a trail of mud turds on paved roads. I don't believe this state has any such law.

 

[5030]

Oh so it's you guys! I wondered how my car was getting covered in clay driving on the street

My mud turds are always pretty large actually.

 

[CobyRupert]

Let it dry.

 

[dodge man]

Sounds like I’m a bad person when I say this out loud, but I take mine out on the road and drive it as fast as it will go. I have a paved driveway and like to keep it nice. What I track out on the road is small potatoes compared to what some of the farmers do.

 

[seville009]

I’ve got a small pond out back that’s sloped, kind of like a boat ramp. If I’ve got mud in my skidsteer tracks, I’ll drive into the pond and mive it back and forth to “swish” as much mud off that i can.

Otherwise, as mentioned above, I just let it dry and then drive around the yard to let the dried mud drop off. Can do the same if you park inside; just sweep the dried mud out later.

 

[oldnslo]

Here in Illinois if the mud on road causes an accident the person that left the mud can be held liable. I know this from an accident I had on my motorcycle a few years ago.

As a semi retired farmer intentionally leaving large mud clods on the road is just plain stupid. I understand **it happens but I do not condone people making a habit of it. Small clumps size of your fist is typically no big deal size of a football or basketball can cause serious accidents.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

 

[5030]

Farmers are own worst enemies. They just have to get out in the fields no matter what and then get stuck in the spring. I've never been stuck, ever because I have common sense.

 

[dirttoys]

The only way I can get it to come off is driving through my shop, in just 70 feet whether it is wet or dry, the tires are spotless..........