To some of you this will be a no brainer dumb question but since I'm new to tractor ownership I don't know what it means to have filled tires. I have a L3200 with R4 tires and would like to know what this means and what are the benefits and what are they filled with and how to fill tires? Is this something the dealer should do and how do I know if they are filled or not? Again please forgive my ignorance as I am still learning about my tractor and how to properly and safely use it so expect more dumb questions thanks for any info
Tires Filled tires?
- Thread starter dayrunner
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k0ua
Epic Contributor
Well lets see, Filled tires means filled to 75% with a liquid. AKA loaded tires. Lots of people put lots of different things in them. In the old days it was Calcium Cloride solution (tubes recomended for sure with that) It is cheap, corrosive, plant killer and weighs more than water. Some people use just water if they live in a climate that does not freeze. Methanol mix is popular. Windshield washer fluid, make sure it is the low temp version if you live in a cold climate. Weight is close to water, not particulary corrosive, somewhat toxic, but breaks down quick in the enviorment. I used RV anti-freeze. weight about the same as water, non toxic, to plants and animals, expensive. non corrosive. Then you have Rim Guard. Done by a dealer. weighs more than water, non toxic, to plants and animals. it is a plant product (beets). Not cheap, Dealer installed.
All the liquids can be installed with a simple fill valve at home. I did my own. There are many many thread on here outlining the procedure. Benifits are good cheap way to add weight for stability or loader work. Downsides are some of the mixtures are toxic to either plants or animals or both, Cannot remove it easily. complicates tire repairs. I reccomend it highly. Upsides outweigh the downsides. IMHO.
James K0UA
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Nope, pretty much what the forum is for. Join in, soon you won't be a newbie. Don't forget the search utility, you can read for hours on any topic.
James K0UA
flusher
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Means filling the rears and sometimes the fronts with water/antifreeze mix or a denser liquid. Idea is to increase the weight of the tractor without having to use a ballast box on the 3 point hitch. Also called hydroinflation.
Popular liquids include straight water or water with antifreeze(~8 lb/gal), calcium chloride/water (a~11 lb/gal), beet juice (aka Rimguard, ~11/lb gal). Calcium chloride is corrosive so the steel rims have to be protected (inner tube, some type of coating on the rim interior wall). Antifreeze and calcium chloride are relatively inexpensive; Rimguard is more expensive.
You can find out how it's done here
Changing a Tractor Tire - Dismounting | Gempler's
art
Super Member
Some here have recommended a tube with calcium and that is not needed. It was old school to prevent rusting of the rims. The fact that they are sealed eliminates the supply of oxygen needed to make the rust other then what was used to inflate the tire after the solution was added.
From the farming end we are not loading many tires as we have found that on steady draws that it actually hinders traction and the performance of tractors as it slows the air from being compressed and that by the time the tire can absord an undulation the tractor is beyond the point of the tire needing to flex.
For dedicated loader or digging work weight is a plus. To much weight is a disadvantage and some people enjoy running there tractor weighted to it's max and some overweight for what their needs are. To fill the tires will give a rougher ride then just properly inflated tires will with the addition of bolt on or pin on ballast.
Filled tires also add to the expense of tire repairs!
From the farming end we are not loading many tires as we have found that on steady draws that it actually hinders traction and the performance of tractors as it slows the air from being compressed and that by the time the tire can absord an undulation the tractor is beyond the point of the tire needing to flex.
For dedicated loader or digging work weight is a plus. To much weight is a disadvantage and some people enjoy running there tractor weighted to it's max and some overweight for what their needs are. To fill the tires will give a rougher ride then just properly inflated tires will with the addition of bolt on or pin on ballast.
Filled tires also add to the expense of tire repairs!
RaydaKub
Veteran Member
Ain't no such thing as a dumb question when you're new to tractorin'. Way better to ask questions than make assumptions and find out the hard way.
Just for reference, there are 3 ways to ballast your loader. Filling your tires, wheel weights, and other weight you hang on the rear end.
Filled tires and wheel weights give you the most stability because they are so low to the ground. Ballast on the back end helps to transfer weight off the front axle because the rear axle becomes the fulcrum.
IndyIan
Veteran Member
I would load your rear tires if you have a FEL and don't have to worry about soil compaction. Or don't have to mow a wet spot. Or its not going to put you over your trailers rating.
Its easy ballast that you don't have to remember to put on, or is in the way of another 3 point hitch implement. I guess there are wheel weights as well but they are more money.
Mark Page
Platinum Member
Love your cord wood hauler. Did you make it or buy it?
countryboycansurvive
Member
Obviously I'm new to the forum but I've been running tractors for more than 30 years. My grandfather was killed in a tractor rollover FEL accident so ballast is a big concern of mine. Here in the Tennessee hill country we wouldn't be caught dead without loaded tires. But, then again, maybe we would. Windshield washer fluid is a good, inexpensive ballast fluid. You can buy it from Oreilly in 55 gal drums for about $100 for 55 gal. Freeze protected down to -20 F. As an aside, I know that calcium chloride gets a bum rap as far as corrosion, but in the service manual for my L3940 it says it's acceptable as ballast and is in fact suggested. I use windshield washer fluid in my 14.9-24 ags with each holding about 47 gallons. Liquid ballast is much cheaper than wheel weights and allows you to add much more weight per tire. It also provides a lower CG than wheel weights can since the the CG of the fluid is below the axle centerline.
It's just a TSC carryall. I use a pallet for a floor and another bungeed to the upright for a back. Someday I'm going to make a bigger better platform.
MF RED in MT
Veteran Member
I agree if you fill your tires using a tube can add to the expense of tire repairs, but that is another reason I had rimguard filled in my tires without adding tubes, :thumbsup:. No need to even remove the tire, just rotate the leak in the tire near the top and plug the leak,
. Better yet, cross your fingers and hope you never have a leak, :ashamed:. KC 
moored4
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Along with filling the tires you also want to consider widening your rear tires. By the way you position the rims and bolt them to the hubs you can increase the stability of your tractor on side slopes!
Tractor2011
Member
My dealer gave me the option to fill the rear tires, which I opt'ed to do, and I'm glad I did because when picking up a big load with pallet forks, and no attachment on the rear, the rear of the tractor can get pretty light!
wwmw
Bronze Member
This might sound like a stupid question guys, but can someone tell me what goes in the back tires and where would I get the tires filled the fluid stuff I mean this sunstar is my first tractor just trying to learn from all you old-timers
William
William
Don87
Elite Member
You can use windshield washer fluid/antifreeze/rimguard/calcium.This might sound like a stupid question guys, but can someone tell me what goes in the back tires and where would I get the tires filled the fluid stuff I mean this sunstar is my first tractor just trying to learn from all you old-timers
William
Washer fluid or antifreeze you can put in yourself, you can get the special valve needed at TSC, or order online. Rimguard and calcium are normally installed at a dealer.
Calcium requires tubes to be put in because it is extremely corrosive.
Rimguard is beet juice.
Hope this helps
EDIT: The only stupid qiestion, is the one that is unasked.
EDIT 2........With your tractor, I would take the wheel off, lay it on the groung with a block supporting the rim. Carefully using a screwdriver(after letting the air out of the tire), break loose a small area of the tire bead, then dump about 6 gallons of washer fluid in each tire, and then air it back up to normal pressure.
flatpik6
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This might sound like a stupid question guys, but can someone tell me what goes in the back tires and where would I get the tires filled the fluid stuff I mean this sunstar is my first tractor just trying to learn from all you old-timers
William
You may consider buying the rimguard and installing it yourself if you choose that product. I was able to purchase 3 55 gallon drums from a distributor in NC and fill the tires myself. I brought along the drums and they filled them for me. Saved a lot of money versus having the dealer do the install. A simple call to Rimguards office and they will send you a list of the distributors nearest to you and then you can negotiate from there.
wwmw
Bronze Member
Thanks! guys for all the good advice, especially thanks to Don, and Flatpik.
William
William
