Ballast in Tires

[wurso]

Thanks very much for your post. I hadn't really considered the different types of Anti-Freeze. It sounds like RV anti-Freeze might be a good bet.

-Wayne

 

[MDNick]

OVER TIME is an accurate statement on CaCl rotting out wheels, CaCl is a salt after all. My dad replaced the original wheels on his 1956 Ford 800 a few years ago. 42+ yrs on the wheels didn't seem all bad to me. They started to rot out around the valve stems. So long as you hose off the wheel good after checking air pressure, etc. they will still last a LONG time. Of course CaCl requires the use of a tube. CaCl is also the most dense giving you the most weight. WW fluid is a good cheap deal, but signicantly lighter than CaCl. Seems it was 2 or so lbs/gl lighter, but someone else on here probably knows the real number. Seems that anti-freeze will be the most expensive, and only marginally heavier than WW fluid. Of course, you can alter the freeze point of an anti-freeze solution by just adding more ($$$). WW fluid will probably only be good to -20 or so. Or we could all just move south and not worry about it.

I like wheel weights, they are removable. However if you are on slopes, loaded tires contribute to a lower CofG. Wheel weights will have a marginal affect, or if this is an issue, your goal is all you can get.

Farmer kid usetabe, Farmer Wannabe

 

[wurso]

MDNick,

Thanks for a wonderful tutorial on ballast. I'm not sure that I have 42+ years of my life left, and I personally seem to be wearing out long before I'm rusting out. So if your dad's experience with CaCl is any indication, then I probably shouldn't worry the corrosive effect on the wheels.

Thanks Again,
--Wayne

 

[Bill_in_MI]

For what it's worth, I have had CaCl in the tires on my B7100 for 18+ years. The tires and rims are the originals, and they don't look any worse than the rest of the 18 year old tractor.

 

[Charliebrn]

Don't forget that you can have them filled with Gel. The stuff is great, no more worries about leaks, the weight is great, yet still absorbs shock. Keep in mind that it's permanent, tho.

 

[Driver]

Do you know to what temperature the gel is freeze-proof?

Driver

 

[wurso]

I'm not familiar with Gel. Could you describe it? Where do you get it?

--Wayne

 

[Charliebrn]

I was told it was flexible down to -60 F

 

[Charliebrn]

It starts as a two part liquid that starts to set when mixed. I had my two fronts loaded with it because of flats working the meadow, and to avoid peeling them off the rims when using the FEL. I had mine done by Miller Tire in Wauseon, OH. the Brand name was Soft-Fil, but someone put all the details and a Web site address in a past thread.

 

[wurso]

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out!

--Wayne