I live in south alabama, I own a 5045E JD. I want to fill the tires with water. I also own a MF 265, they were filled with antifreeze years ago. Can I get by with water only and do I need to install different valve stems?
Filling ag tires
- Thread starter bh3zfc
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vtsnowedin
Elite Member
In Alabama you probably can. But some winter day you will just have to let it set. Not often that you would need to use it when it was below freezing so you might never have a problem. But why use just water at 8.33 ponds per gallon when you can use Beet juice (Rimguard) at 11 pounds per gallon and have it that much more ballasted? A Dame Yankee opinion I know, but that's how I see it.
Tx Jim
New Member
Back when I did a lot of plowing I had plain water in my JD 4255 rear tires for several years with no ill affects. As previously stated if it's freezing or below just let it sit until the ice thaws. I live 30 miles south of Ft Worth.
Katahdin
Platinum Member
You can use the same valve stems.
cletus99
Gold Member
Been reading on the forum for a while, first time posting. Rimguard is not available in this area. I live in South Georgia and have been researching this same topic this week. I emailed Rimguard the other day and there are no dealers anywhere down south. Closest dealer was in North Carolina I believe they said.
vtsnowedin
Elite Member
Well that tells you what the local farmers are doing and if just water works for them it will work for you.
That's what I was thinking, my main concern was putting water inside the wheel that is treated water (city water) could rust the wheels. Back in the day all the farmers used straight antifreeze, it was probably only a Dollar a gallon back then. I think I am going to add antifreeze to each tire with the water. My MF is 33 years old and has the original tires with the original antifreeze the farmer added in 1980 and they are still going strong. Thx for the advice with this issue
Mud Mechanik
Gold Member
I am in South Mississippi and have never had a problem using plain well water. I know that rim guard is heavier....but water is free.
cletus99
Gold Member
Just from what I've researched on here, windshield washer fluid is an option too. Not so toxic like antifreeze is.
raheimdal
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The trick to preventing rust is not just the type of fluid, but how full you fill the tires. You need to fill them enough that the fluid level is over the top of the rim. Keeping oxygen away from the metal prevents/slows down the rust process. Easiest way is to fill the tires based off a chart that tells how much fluid each size tire will hold. This will make sure you have the correct amount in them, and still allow an airspace for cushioning.
Tx Jim
New Member
If water is H2O(1 hydrogen & 2 oxygen's) then how do you keep oxygen away from rim with just water???
stuckmotor
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I've been pondering the antifreeze question, too. Say, I fill the tires with plain water, it freezes and I drive on it. What will it do to my tires? Has anyone here ever done this?
xring100
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I don't think you would drive on it frozen very far before deciding better. Your talking a Major Imbalance of hundreds of pounds. I would guess that it would try to throw you off the tractor
Tx Jim
New Member
The ice can cut up the insides of the tires if tractor was moved with frozen tires. If I ever thought I might need/want to drive a tractor in below freezing temps then my tires would have antifreeze in them. Tires are too $$$$$$$ to take a chance on ruining them
vtsnowedin
Elite Member
Expensive.
raheimdal
Bronze Member
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What I was referring to is if you use a calcium chloride mix, or any of the others such as anti-freeze or windshield washer fluid, covering the rim completely does help prevent rust. you will find that straight water will also cause less rust to fully submerged metal, than metal that is exposed. Take a piece of metal and put it in a 5 gallon plastic pail. Fill the pail with water so the metal is partially submerged. You will get the most rust right at the water linel.
It is true that water is H2O, containing two Hydrogen and one Oxygen atom (the 2 subscript goes with the element before it not after), but in order for the Oxygen atom to separate and cause oxidation (rust), two Hydrogen atoms need to be released. This happens slower in solution than in air which is mainly comprised of O2 (pure Oxeygen) and CO2 (carbon dioxide), and CO (carbon monoxide). Notice all the more O's?
Tx Jim
New Member
It is true that water is H2O, containing two Hydrogen and one Oxygen atom (the 2 subscript goes with the element before it not after), but in order for the Oxygen atom to separate and cause oxidation (rust), two Hydrogen atoms need to be released. This happens slower in solution than in air which is mainly comprised of O2 (pure Oxeygen) and CO2 (carbon dioxide), and CO (carbon monoxide). Notice all the more O's?
Dang it's been a long time since I studied chemistry. I knew the correct answer I just thought "I'd stir the pot":dance1::laughing::dance1:
vtsnowedin
Elite Member
Depends on where and how you buy each one. If you go on an installed cost per pound it's pretty close unless you get a bargain on a drum of washer fluid and don't count your time putting it in as having any value. And then the rimguard isn't flammable, poisonous or corrosive.
