Tires Dumb newbie question on filled tires

[Santa Craig Cringle]

First time owning a tractor with beet juice filled tires. So, how exactly do I maintain them? They look like they could use a little air but I’m not sure, but do you even air up filled tires?

Told you it was a dumb newbie question.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I would rotate the valve stem to the top of the tire, check pressure, adjust to recommended pressure.

 

[LouNY]

Yes drive the tractor till the valve stem is on top, then it helps to give it just a short blast of air to clean out the stem before checking the pressure.
If you get fluid in your tire gauge the best way to fix it is take it to the kitchen sink and rinse in warm water while exercise the stem.

Do you have an idea of the pressure you are wanting to run?
It will not be the sidewall marked max pressure.

 

[WinterDeere]

What LouNY said. On pressure, most are going to run a pressure below that which is stated in the manual, as air space (and thus cushion volume) is much less than on an all-air-filled tire. I think I have mine set right at the minimum of the range specified in the manual for this tire on this machine.

Just don't go too crazy low, and walk the tire off the rim. Your eye is a good guide on inflation level, the gauge is more just to keep the two sides even with one another.

 

[dodge man]

They make pressure gauges designed for fluid filled tires also.

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

What LouNY said. On pressure, most are going to run a pressure below that which is stated in the manual, as air space (and thus cushion volume) is much less than on an all-air-filled tire. I think I have mine set right at the minimum of the range specified in the manual for this tire on this machine.

Just don't go too crazy low, and walk the tire off the rim. Your eye is a good guide on inflation level, the gauge is more just to keep the two sides even with one another.

Hadn't thought about it actually. I suppose I could call my dealer and ask them what they set them out when they send them out the door.

 

[ptsg]

When I check the rear tires on mine, I typically lift the rear wheel with a jack and check it so the weight of the tractor on the tire is not pushing water out. I don't get any liquid on the tire gauge and get an accurate reading. I'm just running straight water too.

 

[WinterDeere]

I'm just running straight water too.

Not an option for most of USA, as half our tractors would be frozen half the year, and most would experience at least some occasional freezing.

Some use various antifreeze products, either windshield washer or RV antifreeze, but these have relatively low density. That may be fine for someone not wanting max weight in their rear tires:

Beet juice / bio ballast / CaCl2: 11-12 lb/gal
Water: 8 lb/gal
Antifreeze solutions: 7-8 lb/gal

I went with a 60% fill of beat juice, to hit my target weight, and still keep some cushion in the tire. I am not sure how that will fare for corrosion, time will tell.

 

[LouNY]

Hadn't thought about it actually. I suppose I could call my dealer and ask them what they set them out when they send them out the door.

I just look at mine most of the time, I'm looking for a decent sidewall bulge and a full width contact patch. In moderately soft ground it should be leaving a flat foot print, on the hard gravel roadways I expect to see a good foot print. Then I'll use a gauge to verify I'm usually around 10-12 PSI with heavy 3 point loads I may go up to 15 PSI.