Antifreeze Source for Loading Tires

[RavensRoost]

Want to load the tires on my JD 4500 and need some freeze protection (gets down to zero), will shoot for -20 F or so, do not want to use calcium chloride, beet juice not available locally: antifreeze (glycol) and water is the remaining choice.

I have looked around Phoenix at various types of stores and best price seems to be Sam's Club....but that still ain't cheap given I need about 30 gallons total.

Any suggestions on who/sort of establishment that might have a better price, maybe a 30 gallon barrel in bulk? (I am guessing freight from outside Phx area will kill any "online" cost advantage.)

 

[BobQ]

I just used rim guard,
Rim Guard - Liquid Tire Ballast Dealer Information
it is non toxic and weighs in at over ten pounds per gal! the problem with glycol is if it opens up, it kills a lot of animals, and is bad for your well if you have one. One other alternative could be windshield washer fluid, a lot safer, but also has methanol in it? I do a lot of side work, so for me I can't take a chance of spilling Glycol or methanol on someones property, the clean up would be huge!!

 

[beenthere]

Best IMO is the windshield washer fluid. If it were any danger to plants, animals, property...it wouldn't be allowed to be sprayed in the air on windshields. My opinion anyway.
Beet juice is Rim Guard...or the other way around.

Antifreeze is touted as dangerous to animals and environment (I've yet to believe it is anything but enviro hype, but won't argue with those who think that) so I'd suggest staying away from that, and I agree with you about not using calcium chloride.

In Prescott, I would think windshield washer fluid down to 0 degree F would be readily available. However, bulk prices in 55 gal drums around here are the same as per gallon prices. And 30 gal containers don't seem to be available. I put 50 gal of WW fluid in my Deere 4300 tires.

 

[Soundguy]

hit up some service stations / garages... many might have drums of used coolant.. they buy the coolant in drums and refill them waiting for the recycle truck to come get it... usualy a charge for it.. so if they can give it away for free.. many will.

soundguy

 

[RavensRoost]

hit up some service stations / garages... many might have drums of used coolant.. they buy the coolant in drums and refill them waiting for the recycle truck to come get it... usualy a charge for it.. so if they can give it away for free.. many will.

soundguy

SG, thanks for the tip, free would be good! I will check around. Hopefully, EPA does not require them to submit to an authorized recovery firm...and have a paper trail. ;-)

 

[bp fick]

Rather than radiator anti freeze, which is toxic, you might wish to consider RV anti-freeze, which is safe to animals, plants, etc.

I wonder if the big RV service centers, who do alot of winterizing of big units and motor homes, would be able to sell in larger containers than the single gallons you see of RV anti-freeze you see at Wally World? Windshield wiper fluid is pretty harmless too.

 

[Soundguy]

sure there is apaper trail.. but that is for pickup. it's doubtfull they inventory every oz of drained fluid.. easy to give away 30g when the truck picks up hundreds at a time..


soundguy

SG, thanks for the tip, free would be good! I will check around. Hopefully, EPA does not require them to submit to an authourized recovery firm...and have a paper trail. ;-)

 

[Soundguy]

hit a petroleum dealer.. we order AF in 55g drums... I'm sure anyone off the street could walk in and buy the same..

soundguy

 

[silvertramp]

Years ago I got used coolant at the local garage , free of charge.

 

[MikePA]

SG, thanks for the tip, free would be good! I will check around. Hopefully, EPA does not require them to submit to an authourized recovery firm...and have a paper trail. ;-)

There's no way I'd use antifreeze, it's toxic and there are alternatives which are not, like windshield washer fluid. (I use wheel weights.)

There's another thread on RV antifreeze that mentions it freezes, it just doesn't expand when it does.